A Simple Rule for Friendships

Life is noisy, and it’s easy to let months slip by without checking in on people who matter. Over time, those gaps widen until we’re left saying, “I wish I had called.”

Here’s a simple rule I’m committing to — maybe you will too:

If you think of someone more than 4 times in 3 days, send them a quick message or make a short call. No overthinking. No waiting for the perfect moment. A simple “Hey, you crossed my mind” can bridge months of silence.

Friendships come in all shades — casual, tight, light, deep. Some are born in youth and fade; others grow stronger with time. Some run on constant contact, others survive on occasional check-ins. Not every one will be a daily connection, and that’s okay. But if someone lives in your thoughts, they deserve a place in your days.

It’s easy to assume there will always be more time — another weekend, another reunion, another phone call we’ll make “soon.” But “soon” has a way of slipping into “never.”

Vaidee reminded me of this without ever saying it. By being present when he could. By making those moments count. By showing that friendship doesn’t need constant tending to remain alive, but it does need a spark every now and then.

His life leaves me with a quiet vow: to not let that spark go out for the people I care about. To turn passing thoughts into real conversations. To make room for those who matter, while they’re still here to answer.

Here’s to him — and to the friends we still have the privilege of calling.