We Want to Hear About Your Most Important Friendships - The New York Times
Platonic relationships are unsung — and essential. The Times wants to hear about the meaningful friendships in your life and how you've maintained them. We're living through a somewhat perilous moment for friendship in America. Social circles were shrinking even before the Covid pandemic hit — a trend that only accelerated as it dragged on. In 2021, 13 percent of women and 8 percent of men ages 30 to 49 said they'd lost touch with most of their friends. And friendship experts argue that we have a collective tendency to view platonic love as somehow less important or valuable than romantic love. But friendship is a key component of well being and happiness, and research shows that even small gestures, like just texting a friend to check-in, are appreciated more than many of us realize. The Times is looking for inspiring stories of platonic connection, whether yours is a surprising intergenerational friendship, a close relationship you formed online or a best friend you'v