“I like that hug,” Luis thought as he watched Carrie and Rhianwen drive away. He started his car and leaned back in his seat replaying bits and pieces of the conversation from the tennis court back through his mind. Confidence. That’s what he felt. He felt confident about how he handled the questions Carrie threw his way. She had a…

The sun was shining and the weather was beginning to warm up as the first hints of spring sprouted around us. Deep hues of purple, yellow, and pink blossomed in the landscapes as the cold from the winter began to shed its last frost. Rhi was adjusting to married life while I was adjusting to living with my parents, but…

Part III Unfortunately, as the year ended, our tennis trio eventually dissolved. Rhi was getting married, so her time and attention were on her upcoming nuptials. I didn’t want to lose what Luis taught me, so I started taking adult tennis lessons through my local community recreational center. Commuting to Luis and Rhi’s side of town was harder to manage…

Part II: Halfway into 2022, Luis, Rhi, and I struggled to maintain our tennis trio. My work schedule intensified and Rhi and I were both traveling more frequently. During one of our joint trips, she had the brilliant idea for us to treat Luis to a birthday brunch to thank him for his generosity in giving us free lessons. I…

Part I: It was the summer of 2021. COVID was alive and well which meant limited opportunities for social interaction. Virtual hang-outs, wiping down grocery deliveries, and group fitness classes on Zoom were a part of my day-to-day. While I appreciated the technological advancement that made virtual connections possible, I still needed human interaction. I yearned to be around people…

Recently, a friend and I were catching up about the most recent happenings in our lives while enjoying weekend brunch. Between bites of omelets and toast, she shared the good news of an answered prayer. But I noticed she wasn’t as excited as I expected. When I questioned what I perceived to be her lack of gratitude, she provided details…