February is International Friendship Month!” Let's celebrate the amazing bonds that connect us across the globe.

My special international friends are actually cousins on my husband’s side of the family. Alex Wilds has lived in Japan for decades. He’s got a PhD in Art with sculpture being his especial love. For years he was on faculty at Japanese universities, and is retired now.

His wife, Yukiko, is Japanese, and they have two high school age sons, Utau and Natesume. Alex is a devoted son and visits his mother in Aiken, SC at least a couple times each year. Here he is having dinner with us on his last visit.

This month, let's strengthen those connections among family and friends that bind us together. Reach out to an old friend, plan a virtual hangout, or share your favorite friendship memories. Cheers to the power of friendship and the joy it brings!