365 Squarey Monsters: Why making friends gets harder as we age

Sunday, July 26, 2026

Why making friends gets harder as we age

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The Lifelong Value of Friendship

Growing up in Queens’ South Ozone Park, my friends and I learned how to make friends without even thinking about it. I now realize that skill gave us good memories and helped lay the foundation for happier, healthier lives.

As adults, friendships become harder to build even as they grow more important. Friendship Month, which culminates in the International Day of Friendship this week, is a chance to reach out, reconnect, and strengthen the relationships that help both people and communities flourish.

👉 Ready to make the first move?

The Relationships That Built Our Business

When I opened my first flower shop in 1976, I hired people I knew and trusted. Friends recommended friends, and each new relationship opened another “vein of opportunity.” Those early employees took a chance on a small neighborhood business — and on one another.

As the company grew, those relationships shaped the culture as much as the business itself. Friends became colleagues, colleagues became lifelong friends, and the connections we built each day made work feel like a natural extension of life.

👉 How friendship helped build our company from the ground up

In this week’s Celebrate Your Story, I’m sharing some of the most memorable friendship stories sent by members of the Celebrations Pulse community. In honor of National Friendship Month, these reflections celebrate the relationships that sustain us and will only become more valuable as AI and remote work reshape our world. Listen to this week’s episode.

This week on Power & Impact, I’m joined by renowned business strategist Roger Martin to explore what will make people valuable in an AI-driven economy. Roger offers a compelling framework: AI excels at finding the most common or predictable answer, while people create value by applying judgment, imagination, and original thinking. Watch now.

EVERY SUMMER HAS A STORY: One reader rediscovered a family ritual. Another is finally writing the book she’s always imagined. Others found joy in a backyard garden or persevered through an unexpectedly difficult season. These are just a few of the stories shared by the Celebrations Pulse community, each offering a unique glimpse into what summer can mean. Read their stories.

WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND? Some of the best Celebrations Pulse stories have come from readers. If there’s a life transition, family tradition, celebration, or community story you’d like me to explore in an upcoming letter, I’d love to hear from you.