365 Squarey Monsters: School’s back in session

Sunday, August 30, 2026

School’s back in session — for all of us?

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Back-to-School Lessons for All of Us

Across the country, kids are heading back to school to tackle new subjects, learn new skills, and get comfortable with things they don’t know yet. It’s a ritual we repeat every fall — and one adults might benefit from borrowing. In a world changing faster than ever, making time to learn something new can help us keep growing at any age.

👉 Why it’s never too late to go back to school

A New Smile Farms Campus Takes Root

Smile Farms recently opened its 15th campus in partnership with EPIC Long Island, creating an indoor garden where participants can grow fresh produce while building skills, confidence, and independence. I was delighted to help cut the ribbon last week and watch this campus blossom.

👉 See what’s growing at Smile Farms

Joining the Information Superhighway

On Sept. 1, 1995, we registered 1800flowers.com and staked our claim on the emerging World Wide Web, building on our experiences with CompuServe and AOL that had already given us a glimpse of what was coming. We couldn’t predict where the information superhighway would take us, but we knew it was something we needed to explore. It’s a lesson in curiosity and continuous learning that still applies today.

👉 See how 1-800-Flowers found its way online

What does it take to build something that lasts? In the final episode of Power & Impact’s Lessons Learned series, I revisit conversations with Jeff Sprecher, Alan Fuerstman, Omer Acar, and Judy Marks about the importance of culture, trust, technology, and knowing what’s worth preserving. Their stories show how the most enduring organizations build foundations strong enough to evolve without losing what makes them special. Watch Building What Lasts now.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: For years, psychologist Dr. James Ellis noticed that patients with strong social connections often did better than those without them. That insight changed the way he practiced. In last week’s Celebrate Your Story, we explore why relationships are essential to our health and why friendships require more attention as we age. Listen to our conversation about why we need each other. Watch the conversation.

ONE MILLION VIEWS — AND COUNTING: Nearly 10 months after I sat down with New to The Street to talk about 1-800-Flowers.com and our journey, the conversation has passed 1 million views. I’m delighted that our story continues to find an audience as we celebrate our 50th anniversary. If you haven’t seen it yet, take a look.

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.