Madeline Osigian

      This year I finally read  Text Me When You Get Home: The Evolution and Triumph of Modern Female Friendship by Kayleen Schaefer, and it has made me appreciate my strong female friendships all the more. It's a sociological look at what makes friendships with other women so special. I personally have been uniquely blessed with a strong set of friends around me, but it wasn't always that way.      Coming from a place in high school where I spent an entire year with no female friends my age, I understand the pain of rejection and lack of companionship on life's journey. There was a very long season where the only strong women friendships in my life were my mom and my mentors. I have a tender spot in my heart for girls and young women going through friendless seasons because I remember my own all too well *cue Taylor Swift*. I can say "season" because I know that whatever you're walking through right now in your relationships won't last fore...

     It's the month of love and romance, with Valentine's Day around the corner. Personally, I find Galentine's Day (February 13th) more fun. Depending on the year, we may not have a significant other, but there is always an excuse to get a few girl friends together.      Last year, my roommate and I hosted a small Galentine's brunch and enjoyed the party planning, cooking, and dressing up aspects of it. But there is nothing quite like having someone else make plans for you.      Without further adieu, here are six perfectly bookish date ideas for the loved one (romantic or not) in your life. 1. Go on a picnic with books.      If the weather is nice, this is an any-time-of-year date. If the weather is looking like 25* plus wind chill where you are this February 14th, maybe opt for a living room floor picnic with the curtains open to give you a view of the snow and whatever wildlife may be outside.      For your m...

       Since March 2020, I’d like to say that I’ve become better at asking, “How are you, really?” I’d like to say that I’ve learned so much through my friends and that they’ve learned so much through me. I’d like to say that virtual, long-distance friendship wasn’t too big of a problem. But the truth is that all of these things are still hard.      A year ago, our world turned topsy-turvy. I’m so grateful for the friendships I ended, began, and continued. As I transitioned into a new season of life, this was a natural change. So what have you learned about friendship in the past 365 days since that never-ending spring break?      Here’s what a few of you had to say... “I’ve always heard that relationships of any kind require work...but growing up with siblings and friends down the street made it easy! Now, post-college and married, I see the reality in the original statement. To build true godly community, you have to be intentiona...

       With love in the air and a few of my dear friends back on the dating scene, I have decided to write this unconventional (for this blog) post, alternatively titled “How to Be a Strong, Independent Woman on a Date,” “What I Wish I’d Known Before My First Date,” or, even more accurately, “How to Survive a Date (Based on Real-Life Experiences).”      This is for those who have never been on a date, who haven’t been on a date in a while, or who just want to be prepared for whatever their next date brings. Even if you’re married, this one’s for you! ~      This year, one of my goals is to go on one “date” per month with one of my family members. These are casual, delightful, and usually involve everyone’s favorite part of dating: the food!      In January, my dad and I got to go to a local barbecue place for our date night. It reminded me of some of the dating lessons I have learned over the years. Maybe the following wil...

  NOTE: This post is not just for girls, though it is addressed to them. It's also not just for single people or just about romantic relationships. This is for anyone who would rather have a deep, meaningful, in-person conversation than be misunderstood over text. Read on!      The endless text conversation — the one you're always thinking about answering when you're talking in-person to your loved ones.      The endless text conversation — in which you go to sleep and wake up in the same back-and-forth with someone you want attention from.       The endless text conversation. It's easier if it never begins, but if you're in one, it's time to get out.       Girls  tend to become clingy in relationships with guys, and nowhere is this more visible than in text conversations. Instead of endearing themselves to these men, too many girls are driving them away with needy texts and attention-seeking questions.     ...

     What is extraordinary? You can think of examples: a brilliant sunset, a newborn baby, washing the dishes with a song in your heart.      But what makes these things extraordinary? What defines the extra-ordinary?      It's the ordinary made special that makes us collectively catch our breath. Everyday things made uniquely beautiful to us in that moment.       And we can't describe it.      Because although sunsets are beautiful, they happen every single day. What makes this one extraordinary? That newborn baby is simply how every life on this planet begins. How does holding one in your arms become the most serene moment in your life? What makes washing the dishes, the most mundane activity, also one of the most magical?      These ordinary moments, held in our hands with the bane and beauty of humanity, remind us of our mortality as well as all we have left to experience in this l...

~ a definition ~ aficionado, n.  :   a person who likes, knows about, and appreciates a usually fervently pursued interest or activity  :    devotee    You could call me a friendship aficionado, minus any semblance of expertise. Isn't it fascinating to pay attention to the ins and outs of what makes friendships work? How can two different people choose to be in camaraderie? How do they work together for common goals and help each other through life?      Friends come in so many forms, but here are six unusual friends you might have.* It's even possible that these friends are combined in some of your friends.

My dearest Patrick,      It's about time I wrote this post. You're the one person I can never stop talking about--the coolest little bro ever.      And today you turn 15! It feels like you've already been here for awhile. You're so mature for your age; you've stopped the annoying teasing and kept the sweet teasing. Or maybe it's that you're taller than me, but then again, you've been taller for a while.      You're the person I got to go to the Amazon with. You're the person I do school with every day. You're the one who brings me laughter. You dance in the kitchen, sing my favorite obscure musical songs, and always want to hang out with me. You keep me on my toes, always exploring new tv shows and fandoms. And your fashion advice is on point lately!      You use your artistic talents on paper and on stage. One day you'll use them on screen. The most beautiful art you make is in the way you love the people around you...

Call a boy a gentleman and watch his shoulders straighten. Call a girl a lady and watch her spirit turn graceful. Humanity was brought into existence by God speaking words into the void of the universe. We tend to become what we are called.  ~ The Medicine of Hope       This one's for the men, "by a lady," as Jane Austen would say. I don't have impossible standards for a gentleman. All these things, like my 6 Ways to Be a Lady , are qualities you can cultivate in your life. As always, we will start with what the Lord says about men.      1 Timothy 6:11-12a says, "But you, man of God, flee from all this and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith."      I won't preach at you, but you get the idea for God's calling for you men. And here are 6 ways to be a gentleman:       1. Focus on others. Unselfishness is a dying art. When your focus is...

Call a boy a gentleman and watch his shoulders straighten. Call a girl a lady and watch her spirit turn graceful. Humanity was brought into existence by God speaking words into the void of the universe. We tend to become what we are called.  ~ The Medicine of Hope        Being a lady isn't about nice clothes or being pulled-together all the time. It certainly isn't about trying to show the world how strong you are or embracing feminism. It isn't the polar opposite of feminism either. Today, we're turning to what Scripture says about us women.      1 Peter 3:4 says, "it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."      Let's explore what this means in more detail.      your inner self ~ Our inner self is our mind, emotions, spirit, soul. Our internal world is where all of our ladylikeness must come from. This is what is valua...

     I've had this post idea in the queue for a while. It's not being released in light of the latest game people are obsessed with. (I can't even bring myself to type the name of it...you know who you are. :P)      Everyone walks around with their heads down these days. They're ignoring their surroundings and even the humans at their sides. And it's not because they're jumping the gaps between sidewalk squares like the three-year-old whose hand they're holding.      Look, ladies and gents. I'm preaching to myself more than anyone. We can all improve in at least one of these areas. We've got to take control of our phones before they take control of us. And especially before they ruin our relationships with real-life human beings!      Let's dive in and begin breaking bad habits! 1. Put it down.      When others start talking to you, physically wrench your eyes from the screen and tilt your phone ...

     I love it: the way I came home from the hospital for the first time on Father's Day seventeen years ago and the way we always get to celebrate on the same week.      I love you: the way you make me laugh, the way you train me in the Lord, and the way you lead me by example into being a hard worker and an idea generator. You understand me, care for me, and are always there for me.      For all the things you are, you have done, and you have been,      For the love and truth you proclaim,      For the earthly example of our Heavenly Father you are,       HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! ~Madeline

     Your response to "One Simple Key to Healthy Relationships" was overwhelmingly positive. Today we're diving into a reader favorite: I will be with you in the dark places without forcing the sunshine on you.  ~       I've been fascinated with the skies for awhile now. I think it began in eighth grade physical science when I had to record the cloud patterns for several weeks. It made me stop and notice the sky.      Then I wrote a novel called The Blue Sky and the Yellow Sun . I saw myself as a yellow sun.      There are two kinds of darkness. One was something I was taught to avoid. Obviously, we should stay away from dark magic, evil influences, or the oppression of sin.      But there are also dark, hard times on earth--those valleys of the shadow of death. And we shouldn't run away when a brother or sister is hurting in th...

     In Mindy Kaling's book Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? , she discusses her friendship code (which is perfect for college roommates by the way).      The code involves guidelines on things like stealing clothing from your friend's closet (go ahead and steal it) and giving your friend's boyfriend a few chances to make a good impression (exactly six chances). It's humorous and has a few good points too.     But it got me thinking. How do I set a standard, even if I'm the only one who will follow it in a relationship? How do I do my part to keep my relationships healthy?      One key to achieving any goal is to set expectations of oneself.      Isn't it true though? You achieve a goal when you set an expectation.      My friendship "code" has never been established between me and anyone, but the other day I jotted down some standards th...

Dear Mama,      Every day you remind me that life is a journey and that there is room at the table. I smile because this is who you are: someone who encourages others in their own journey and who welcomes them to your table. And I am pretty sure there are brownies on the table. :)      Thank you for being the mama I need, the friend I want, and the sister I never had. You fill up my "love tank" daily with hugs and kisses and words of affirmation. You keep me on track when my head's about to explode, and you bring me up when I am down.      We love many of the same things: chai tea lattes, bloggers, books, podcasts, and shoulder rubs. (Oh yes! Thank you for all the shoulder rubs you give me while I'm slaving over my math!) The enjoyment I get from those things is two-fold when I get to share them with you.      Over the last few years, you've developed your own interests too. I've ne...

     She asked me to write about friendship. Oh, gracious!      Of all things, why this? Why now?      But writing is therapeutic. And writing helps me understand myself better. It's a disinterring process, with the shovel going into my heart.      So bear with me as we push away the dirt to get to the root of the matter. ~      I've only taught about friendships once. In the summer of 2013, a group of girls entering sixth or seventh grade gathered in my living room every Thursday afternoon for lemonade and a discussion about what the Bible has to say about relationships.      The week we talked about friends, I remember looking around the room and saying, "Look at the girls in this room. They are pursuing Jesus, and they will be some of the best friends you will ever make." Today that group of girls is the friendliest, most uplifting bunc...