Charles Esther
During a family trip to Florida, my husband and I spent quality time with our dear friends, Sherry and Ken.
This visit, like many others, reminded me why most of my closest relationships are with people who are 60 to 90 years old.
Despite being only 30, I have found profound companionship, wisdom, and hope through these friendships.
Shared Interests With a Generation Apart
Though my older friends and I differ in age, our passions unite us.
We share a love for family, travel, history, and reading, among many other things.
This summer, my husband, two toddlers, and I journeyed across the country to stay with a couple nearly 50 years older than us.
We spent our days sipping milkshakes, playing dominoes, and laughing at Sherry’s delightful Southern quips.
My 76-year-old best friend, Sharane, and I recently spent an entire Saturday shopping for the perfect dress.
Meanwhile, a 75-year-old former hippie turned financial advisor fills my inbox with emails that become treasured stacks of wisdom once printed.
How I Met My Older Friends
The paths that led me to these friendships are diverse and meaningful.
Some began professionally, as clients for my biography business focusing on grandparents’ life stories.
Others I met through my husband’s Rotary Club connections.
One friendship was inherited through the daughter of a cherished 95-year-old friend who has since passed away.
Each relationship has brought profound joy and personal growth into my life.
The Treasure of Their Experience
One reason I am drawn to older friends is the depth of experience they offer.
When I seek advice from someone my own age, I often realise their well of wisdom is still being filled.
In contrast, friends like 60-year-old Stacy can offer practical, experienced advice when I feel overwhelmed.
As a fellow small business owner, she encourages me to delegate tasks and manage stress effectively.
Similarly, my friend David often shares emails brimming with invaluable insights born from his many years of experience.
Finding Hope Through Their Stories
Another gift my older friends offer is hope.
While my peers provide solidarity during the challenges of raising young children, my older friends show me what lies ahead.
Take Juliette, for instance.
At 82, she has raised four children and now enjoys relaxing by her daughter’s pool, wine glass in hand.
Her stories remind me that the sleepless nights and endless laundry will eventually give way to peace and freedom.
Learning to Be Unapologetically Myself
Beyond wisdom and hope, my older friends serve as role models for authenticity.
In a world where self-doubt often plagues younger generations, my older friends exude confidence.
They teach me that it is okay to be unapologetically myself.
My grandmother, one of my closest confidantes, says, “If they don’t like me by now, tough.”
Her words, and the attitude of my older friends, inspire me to embrace my true self without fear of judgment.
Aging seems to bring about a beautiful assurance, a comfort in one’s own skin that I deeply admire.
The Beauty of Vulnerability
Another remarkable lesson I have learned from my older friends is the power of vulnerability.
While many young people, including myself, shy away from expressing deep emotions, my older friends lean into them.
They openly say “I love you,” hold my hand without hesitation, and express pride with heartfelt words.
Sharane often reminds me, “Do you know how lucky we are to have found each other?”
Whether we are sitting at my kitchen table, walking in the park, or playing on the swings with my children, she always voices her gratitude.
Her openness inspires me to respond in kind, deepening our bond and teaching me the importance of expressing love freely.
Recognising the Urgency of Life
I believe my older friends are so accepting of vulnerability because they understand life’s fleeting nature.
They know that time is short and that moments of heartfelt expression should not be wasted.
Their awareness of life’s impermanence compels them to seize each day and to live and love openly.
Through their example, I am learning to do the same.
They Are Simply More Interesting
Finally, the reason I gravitate toward older friends is simple: they are fascinating.
With twice or even three times the life experience I have, their stories are endless.
Every coffee date reveals new anecdotes, lessons, and adventures I had not heard before.
Last month, during a four-hour coffee date with 87-year-old Fred and his wife Linda, Fred began countless stories with, “Wait, did I tell you about the time…?”
Each tale was new, rich, and full of life.
Looking Toward the Future With Gratitude
There are few certainties in life, but this I know: when I need encouragement, I will revisit my treasured collections of wisdom-packed letters.
This summer, I will wrestle my toddlers onto a flight once more to visit our beloved friends.
When I am in search of a new dress, I know just who I will call.
My older friends have illuminated my path through life.
They have shown me hope, authenticity, love, and the importance of seizing each moment.
Thanks to them, I feel less lost and more assured, knowing that no matter where life leads, I am never truly walking alone.
