What are your favorite ways to get together with friends?

Mar 3
5 min read

Two people wearing hats on a sunny beach, smiling. Hats read "MASTERS" and "LABOR." Bright sky and sand visible in background.

The goodness that comes from getting together with great friends can really be something special. After all, we're here trying our best to replicate that feeling! Sure, we connect in the group chat, but below we share our favorite ways to see each other - in person. Find how one-on-one meet ups are serving us, how bookclubs, gym dates, walks and lunches not only make, but hold space for building and maintaining some of our favorite relationships. And, of course, we share more about the beloved girls trip - whether that is to a farm or a beach locally or a more grand escape, there is great connection to be had when you get away.

Emilee, Book Aficionado from @The BookClubCart

At this time in my life, I am blessed to have friends from childhood, college, and those I made in my adult life. With these various groups come different obstacles to finding time for one another.

Friends from childhood and college are the hardest to get together with as we are all spread out amongst different states. However, every summer my college friends and our families spend one day together (on a friends family farm in WI). It has been so fun watching our kids become friends.

When the kids were younger it was easier to get together with friends. Daytime was more routined, bedtimes early, and kids activities were during the day and more flexible. These days my evenings are spent driving 3 kids around to their various activities and weekends spent at games. Catching up with other parents on the sidelines of my kids sport’s games often feels like the extent to my social life most weekends.

However, sometimes the stars align and childless get togethers happen. Some of my favorites are bookclub nights, bible study mornings, walks with friends, occasional nights out with other couples, and the few weekend getaways. Of course Ali and I always try and find time to get together! Recently our daughters were at the same birthday party so we escaped to a nearby restaurant for a quick dinner out.

In whatever way life looks in this moment, I think it is important to embrace what works for you. Sometimes the pressure to have big moments out with friends is a societal pressure that doesn’t always fit into our current phase of life. Thank goodness for loyal, understanding friends!

Ali, Book Aficionado from @The BookClubCart

Two people walk on a paved path in a park with autumn trees. One wears a black vest, the other a white jacket. Blue sky with clouds above.

Spilling Goodness was truly created from that feeling you get after spending time with friends and other moms — so I love this question! Honestly, I can’t pick just one favorite way to gather. I absolutely love long walks through our beautiful forest preserves, where we can move our bodies, soak in nature, and have uninterrupted conversation. There’s something about fresh air and endorphins that makes those connections even sweeter.

I also cherish more festive get-togethers — couples date nights, themed book clubs, or cozy evenings around the fire pit. Each setting creates space for a different kind of conversation and connection. I think it’s so important to spend time with friends both in groups and one-on-one. But if you really want to see me come running out of the house with enthusiasm, just hand me a great book and a fun theme — I’m there!

Kim, Home Connoisseur from @Reverie.and.Root & Founder of Spilling Goodness

Four women smiling in front of a brick wall. One holds tulips. They wear jackets in neutral tones. The setting is warm and cheerful.

Don't get me wrong, I love the grand girls trip. I love the annual girls traditions (Galentines, Favorite Things exchange, etc.) But, for me it is the little get togethers that keep my friends and I connected more regularly. With one group of mom friends, we've found a rhthym of getting together for lunch. We can work out lunch dates around work schedules and kid life best. Sometimes we'll get together for an impromptu walk. Dinners seem harder to come by with kids' sports schedules, but lunch is where its at - currently.

Here are a few thing that keep the lunches on rotation:

A lunch per birthday! With 5 of us, that's about a lunch every other month
A lunch per special occasion: catch up about a new job, health stuff, to hear about a trip, etc.
Schedule the following lunch before the end of the current lunch
Pick an easy location near the person with the trickiest schedule's path
If you're local to Naperville, here are a few favorite spots: Allegory, Blackberry Market, Gia Mia, White Sheep, Egg Harbor

When the group text gathers for lunch - it's always a good day!

Jen, Bespoke Travel Planner from @GlobalOnDemandTravel

Eight women in swimsuits relax and smile in a pool. One is on a teal float. Clear water sparkles in the sunlight, creating a joyful mood.

Travel. It is so hard to find the pocket of time to get together. But, when you travel with friends, you have dedicated time and space to enjoy each others company. It is also great for the kids to have someone else to change up the dynamic. The kids all get along much better when there are other kids in the picture.

Rebecca, Woman's Leadership Coach from @PleasantlyAggressive

Two people smiling in a snowy setting, wearing winter coats and hats. Background shows a dark, snowy night with trees. Cozy and joyful mood.

I’ve begun to cherish the one-on-one time I have with friends: taking a long walk to discuss, process, or problem-solve the hard parts of life, getting a pedicure together and chatting about what’s happening this week, and of course, a margarita at a patio bar when the weather warms up!

I read recently that a lot of friends get together and only reminisce about the old days. Those kinds of friendships often aren’t fulfilling and can leave you feeling bleh. Instead, it was suggested that each time you’re together becomes about creating a NEW experience, a new memory.

I want to do more “field trips” to museums, parks, or new places. It’s a balance because I don’t want the event to overshadow our ability to connect. I want to focus on the person I’m with and experience something with them.

Last, and certainly not least, are girls’ weekends where we remove ourselves from the responsibilities of life and just enjoy life. For me, it’s our camping trip every fall. A goal I have this year is to have FIVE girls’ trips. I’ve scheduled two this month with new(er) friends, and I’m so excited to connect and create memories with them.

Ashley, Millennial Mom Nutrition Coach from @AshleyBreaksTheCycle

The gym is definitely my happy place, not just for the strength and sweat (but that is such a bonus for my mental health!) but for the connections I have made. Some friends have come and gone over the years I've been at CrossFit, but the ones that I have now are really special. If I'm not getting together or meeting up at the gym with them I love a good walk meet up. Gets me outside into the fresh air. I longed for the days to have my kids at school and not "nap trapped" or at the mercy of preschool hours so to be able to take a carefree walk with a friend on a Tuesday afternoon is literally the best!

Lastly, we live in the best coastal town with a drive-on beach where you can park yourself right at the water's edge in the sunshine and instantly feel like you're whisked away to paradise (hint: it is). I would love to do more girls day or night beach meet ups and with this very snowy winter we're having, it can't come soon enough!