Why Coffee Dates with Friends Matter -Even if You Don’t Drink Coffee

One way I’ve been able to reconnect with friends is through coffee dates. I don’t even drink coffee! But we’ll head over to our favorite local coffee shop, grab a tea or smoothie, and sit there and chat—catching up on life. I do this with one friend as often as I can, which seems to be about once a year now. We sit and talk about anything and everything.

One time, we even sat by the window watching people try to parallel park. It was just as fun as you’d think—especially with our commentary! It’s such a peaceful environment to connect.

Today, I met up with four friends I used to work with. Two still work for the organization we were all part of, one now works for a different school district, and the other moved out of state and was home visiting family.

Honestly, I didn’t really want to go. And it wasn’t for any specific reason. I love these people—I wouldn’t have made it through my first few years in that job without them. I wanted to see them… I just didn’t want to leave my house. Or put on a bra.

But I did it. I left the house, met them at a coffee shop, and three hours later I was still there. It was the fastest three hours ever. It didn’t even feel that long.

One is expecting her second grandchild any day now. One just lost her husband to cancer. Another was telling us how absurd it is that the state she’s teaching in doesn’t have school delays or cancellations. The last one and I sat listening, asking questions, soaking it all in.

I left with my heart full—some joy, some sadness. But being there with people I love brought more light to my joy than the sadness could take away.

So go on the coffee date, the lunch date, the dinner date with your friends. Reconnect with them. Don’t get so lost in parenthood that you have to find new friends once your children are grown. You’ll never regret a moment spent with your family, but when you connect with friends, it does something to your heart—it makes you better.

So, go on the date. You’ll be glad you did.