If you passed them individually on the street, you wouldn’t necessarily pair these two women together. The brunette with her modern shades and shortened dress sleeves, and a redhead who takes a more traditional direction with her style. Yet, together at the table they appear completely at ease in a close shared space. That’s the real beauty of friendship isn’t it? The way it makes space for us to come as we are, be appreciated for our unique differences, and share simple common bonds like favorite eats and newspaper reads.

When you think about it, a sunny day, a nice little spot to grab a bite (as long as you aren’t having a basket party, whatever that may be), and a good friend make for a pretty splendid afternoon. Over the years, the ways friendships start and develop certainly has changed, but the desire to be close to those who let us be our true selves remains firmly intact.

Nurturing friendships is such an important part of our health as humans. Even in a digital age with social media notifications popping and video calls happening every day, we still crave that direct physical interaction of time spent with another person. It refuels our mind and reminds us that there is a space on earth designed just for us. It takes time and commitment to maintain a solid friendship, but the rewards are endless. We can’t always spend a week away with those who matter most to us, but being intentional might just allow us to carve out an afternoon in the sun with one of our favorite people.