Togetherness -- Happiness In Good Company

What Togetherness may look like with one objective in mind, and that is to simply be together.

In the Danish culture there is this concept called "Hygge" (HUE-geh) which is about creating an atmosphere of comfort, coziness, and of being together with people they care about. The Swedes have their version of it called "Fika" as a way of taking time off or away from life's stressors. Most -- if not all -- of the Nordic people value their time with others so much that they make it a point to have these moments as part of daily living. Getting together for them is more intentional.

"Bayanihan" and "sama-sama" come to mind in our native language. We do one in times of need or celebration, and we may do the other for no other reason but to simply get together.

Back to the Danish culture, the word for happiness in Denmark is "Lykke" (LOUK-keh). It's worth mentioning that Denmark is named year after year as one of the happiest countries according to the annual World Happiness Report. But what factors help contribute to people's happiness?

Togetherness is one. And Togetherness is fun.

The philosopher Epicurus once said, "We should look for someone to eat and drink with before looking for something to eat and drink."

So, whether it's getting together online because there are great geographical distances between friends that make in-person gatherings a challenge, or getting up early in the morning to drive for hours in the cold to take visiting friends to check off a bucket list item, or booking a getaway with closest friends to a resort only to bump into a high school friend and batchmate, or crashing at a friend's house to enjoy home-cooked meals, drinks, stories of old, and simply being silly together by singing and playing music, however it's done, being together is all that matters in the end.

The thought alone of getting the majority of the remaining Batch '87 together brings joy already for some of us. Imagine if we actually make it happen where we have every surviving member of our class present at our 40th Year Reunion.

We sincerely hope to see you there in twenty-one months. Until then, make time to get together in one way or another for the sake of Happiness.