There are friends we have for a season in our lives, that we might not see again, but they have a profound impact on us and make us smile when we think of them. There are lifelong friends, people who knew you “when.” They know your history, your stories, and they love every version of you without judgment. Even if you don’t see them often, your bond remains strong forever. And then there are adult friends, friends that might not have been there from the start, but once you meet them, you can’t imagine your life without them. They walk with you through decades sharing experiences, confidences, and the daily ups and downs of life.

My original idea for this episode was to simply to explore the friendships between women and gay men. Why are these friendships so common, especially in midlife, and why are they so important to us as women, and to the men we share these friendships with?

But what I discovered in my conversation with longtime friends John Mitterling and Karen Livingston is something far deeper than a surface exploration of this topic. In our very raw interview, John vulnerably shares his painful journey to coming out to the world as a gay man and how Karen was by his side with compassion every step of the way, without judgment, to lift him up. Join me for this profound exploration of friendship and how it can enrich, and sometimes, even save our lives.

LINKS FOR SHOW NOTES:

www.harmonync.org

www.voicestogether.org