Marianne Preston Coach- Life Transitions & Burnout Recovery

Newsletter: ​July 21, 2025

The Friendships That Shape Us​
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Hey there Reader,

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This summer is about connection for me. So, I’ve been thinking a lot about friendship.

Not just casual acquaintances or social connections, but the soul kind. The kind that light you up from the inside out—the ones that make your spirit feel seen, known, and safe. The kind of friendship where, when you're with them, you feel more you than ever.

Sometimes, that kind of connection is created over decades—built on the shared stories of childhood, heartbreaks, weddings, messy middle seasons, and everything in between. Other times, it’s almost immediate.

You meet someone and just know: this person gets me. There’s a trust, a recognition, an ease. You can finish each other’s sentences or sit in total silence without it being awkward.

That, to me, is the heart of true friendship: a deep awareness and shared energy that makes your soul say, yes, this is someone I want in my life.

These are the friendships we treasure.

They remind us we’re not alone, they lift us up, and they reflect back the truest parts of who we are.

I’ve had the great joy of these kinds of friendships. Some go back to elementary school—friends who knew me long before I became a wife, a mother, a coach. And some are newer, but no less dear.

This summer, I’m intentionally making time for the people who matter. We are planning to take a couple we know and love out on the boat for an evening sail. They don't know it yet, but I get excited just thinking about it. I’m carving out space for girlfriend weekends—the kind where we laugh until we cry and just share the stories of our lives since we last met. And later this year, I’ll be flying to Ontario to celebrate my friend’s 85th birthday—a woman who’s known me for most of my adult life. I won’t regret showing up for her.

I also carry the memory of my late friend Agnes, who taught me so much about the art of friendship. She stayed connected through handwritten letters, calls, backyard visits, and a fierce loyalty to those she loved. She left behind a living map of what it means to nurture connection. I think of her often.

Friendship is not just a happy accident. It’s something we build, tend to, and protect. It asks something of us—but the reward is immeasurable.

Five Golden Rules for Meaningful Friendship

1. Be the kind of friend you’d want to have.​
   Offer the same compassion, joy, and presence you’d love to receive. Be generous with your heart, and let your actions reflect your values.
2. Never take friendship for granted.​
   In the noise of life, friendships can fade when left unattended. Periodically ask yourself: Am I showing up? Am I keeping this connection alive?
3. Love your friends, warts and all—and build in joy.​
   Friendship isn’t about fixing someone. It’s about loving them exactly as they are. Laugh together. Celebrate often. Make memories that stick.
4. Invest your time.​
   Friendship can’t survive on good intentions alone. Send the text. Make the plan. Book the trip. Prioritize the people who fill your cup.
5. Believe it’s never too late.​
   Whether you’re 35 or 85, there’s still room in your life for new, beautiful, soul-filled connections. Keep your heart open. Take the risk. Say hello.

And here’s what I believe at the core of it all: some friendships are for a reason, some are for a season, but some—some are for life.

These are the ones to look for, hold close, and never take for granted. If someone lights you up, makes you feel more alive, more seen, more understood—nurture that connection. Be the kind of friend who shows up. And above all, don’t forget to be a true friend back.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not about how many friends we have—but about whether we’ve truly connected. Whether we’ve been known. Whether we’ve allowed ourselves to know and love others in return.

If you're feeling like something is missing—like your relationships have gone quiet or your world feels too small—maybe it’s time to reach out. Or maybe it's time to reflect on how you're showing up. And if you're feeling stuck or unsure of what you even need right now, I want you to know: you don’t have to untangle that alone.

That’s why I offer the Clarity Connection Call—a free conversation designed to help you pause, reflect, and make one clear move forward. It’s about reconnecting to your own life and the people in it who make it worth living.

With heart,
​Marianne

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✨ Call to Action:​
If something in your life feels stuck—whether it's friendship, purpose, or direction—let’s talk.
📞 Book your free Clarity Connection Call here​

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You don’t have to figure it out alone. And you don’t have to stay where you are..

What's Coming and what is available:

• Summer is upon us and I am enjoying it. Stay tuned for updates on offers in August.

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email: marianne@mariannepreston.com

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