International Friendship Month

February is known for many things.
 Where I live, this month has been known for the odd snow storm or torrential downpour of rain. (Last Valentine's Day I couldn't get into work because the streets were flooded and there was a waterfall running down the slope above our parking lot and into the street.)
 Most famously, February is known for Valentines Day. Yep. That day devoted to love, the one that makes single people uncomfortable, one of the holidays overrun with commercialism, flowers, teddy bears, balloons and heart-shaped candy.
 When I was little, I loved making old-fashioned Valentine cards with paper lace and giving them out to my siblings and parents. Now that I'm older, I suppose I've gotten a bit jaded with the holiday. It just doesn't have the same feeling it did when I was younger, which is why I was excited when I heard that February is also International Friendship Month. Yep. You heard that right. A whole month devoted to friendship. Isn't that fantastic?
 One of my favorite sections of verses is Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 which says, "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.  For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!  Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken."
 This is a section of scripture which is used a lot at weddings, but it can be applied to friendship as well. We were made to live in community. We were not made to live alone. 
 In a study done in 2016, a study was done with older adults that showed that those living alone were more likely to experience depression than those living in community. 
 Love is more than romance. It's more than the touchy-feely stuff we associate with it. Love is friendship too. It's being there for someone during a hard time. It's taking the time to listen. It's being patient with someone. Love is preferring someone over yourself. 
 So, what are some things you can do to celebrate friendship this month?
 Here are a few ideas:

• Go out to lunch with a friend. It doesn't have to be expensive. A picnic lunch is just as fun.
• Call a friend. That one friend you haven't talked to in years? Maybe it's time to give them a call.
• Write an old-fashioned letter. I mean, you could send an email, but it's always fun to get snail mail and a letter really shows that you care.
• Send a friend flowers. Flowers aren't just for the love of your life. Flowers like a yellow or orange rose, zinnias, chrysanthemums, irises, ivy and blue tulips are just some of the different flowers that represent a feeling of friendship. 
• Go to a movie with your friend. 
• Go on a hike. 
• Bake some sweets or a meal. 
• Clean somebody's house. (Honestly, call to be sure that it's okay, but most people I know will take you up on this.) 

 Again, these are just some ideas. The sky's the limit with your imagination.

 Have you heard of International Friendship Month? Do you celebrate it? If you do, what are some of the things you like to do with friends?