Hi there, mamas and papas. Oftentimes, we adults don’t focus too much on developing new friendships. Quite a few factors underlie this reality. First off, we don’t have too much time. Life’s priorities include working, taking care of the kids and trying to keep up with family and old friends so the dedication to making new friends can wane. Also, we can simply grow comfortable and content with the social associations we have. Opening up and trusting someone with whom we don’t share a history of experiences, such as we do with our old friends from childhood, adolescence and early adulthood, can be scary.

Got tips on how to maintain old friendships and create new ones? Weigh in below and enter our giveaway!

So let’s just say that putting time into creating and nurturing new friendships isn’t something many of us are inclined to do. Well, try changing countries, my friends. That’ll pretty much force you to get out there and make some new friends because if you don’t, you won’t have any friends and you’ll be pretty lonely and sad.

Such has been my story here in Spain. I began coming to Spain five summers ago with the kids for a span of four-six weeks. During the first summers, I knew practically no one. I stayed home at our rental apartment while the kids were in day camp learning Spanish, worked, and tried to get through the time, missing my family and friends in the U.S. Over time, thankfully I picked up a few special friends from just doing the things I usually do, like practicing yoga, visiting the pool with the kids, or picking them up at camp.

In retrospect, thank God I managed to make these friends because without them, I never could have managed our move here. My friends have helped me so much with each logistical challenge: finding schools, doctors, the apartment, a babysitter. But they’ve given me the emotional support I so desperately needed as our family made such a monumental change. I hope to be there for them in the same way in the future.

With age, I am finding that the broader you keep your life, the happier you will be. When you stretch out and do different things, see and connect with different people, and keep yourself busy with your family, work and a myriad of social interactions with all types of people, you maintain a greater balance. You dip into different parts of yourself. You ask less of others and give more, which is healthy. Such have I found, at least.

So with that said, on Tuesday night, weary from having returned from the U.S. the day before, I headed out to the Palau de la Música Catalana – Barcelona’s gorgeous concert hall — with my new close friend Rebeca. Rebeca and I met around four years ago while watching our boys play soccer. She’s a thoughtful, kind, generous person and I am so lucky to know her. She’s also excited to delve into cultural outings, as am I, so we’ve already hit the movies together in addition to this concert.

The Beethoven sonatas — played by a well-known Catalan pianist — lifted my spirits, as did the elaborate Belle Epoque interior. Built between 1905 and 1908 for a choral society by famed architect Montaner, the Palau has now been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. How amazing that this historic landmark sits 20 minutes from my house and that I got to go with such a special person.

After the concert, I took a minute to snap these pictures of the gorgeous facade of the Palao. Rebeca and I then headed out for a glass of vino and some tapas. We talked about motherhood, marriage, children, work and life in general.

No matter how busy you are, how overwhelmed with everything you have to do, take the time to create and nourish new friendships. When you do this, your world is immediately enriched. Also, when you give more to your friends, you feel better about yourself.

Describe a new adult friendship below and enter our giveaway. Have a super weekend, my dears.

Gratefully,

Melissa

Weekly Giveaway

Prize: One (1) $25 Amazon Gift Card

Rules:

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Open to U.S readers.

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ways you can enter to increase your chances of winning. The giveaway ends on Monday, February 25, 2019, at 11:59 PM (Eastern Time).

Winner will be announced on the widget below within 48 hours after the giveaway has ended.

Weekly Wrap Up Giveaway

