Our Bodies May Be Older, But Our Coffee Is Still Fresh

Summary

Two friends, who have been meeting for a weekly coffee walk since 2009, continue their tradition into their 60s, adapting to changes in their lives while maintaining the core elements of their routine.

Abstract

The author and their friend Lisa have been participating in a "coffee walk" tradition for over 14 years, involving a weekly walk where they catch up over coffee. As they have aged into their 60s, they have adjusted the time and pace of their walks to suit their current lifestyles. They now deal with topics like health and funerals, which were not as prevalent in their earlier years. Despite these changes and the decision to bring homemade coffee to avoid high prices, the essence of their tradition remains unchanged, focusing on exercise, socialization, and enjoying the outdoors. This routine provides them with a healthy outlet to share personal conversations and experience nature.

Opinions

The author values the consistency and adaptability of their coffee walk tradition with their friend.
There is a sense of nostalgia and cherished memories associated with the long-standing routine.
The author suggests that their friendship has deepened over time, becoming more personal and open.
The tradition is seen as a way to stay active and maintain a connection with both a friend and the natural world.
The author is curious about the prevalence of similar walking traditions among the Medium community.
There is an appreciation expressed towards Mary Chang Story Writer and her editorial team for the inspiration provided by the Six Word Photo Story Challenge publication.

Coffee-walk buddies follow their shadows.

Since we met in 2009, my friend Lisa and I have faithfully enjoyed a weekly morning “coffee walk.” We lace up comfy shoes, grab hefty cups of java, and commence walking and talking for at least an hour. Sure, we’ve missed weeks here and there for vacations and brutal weather, but our persistence has been exceptional for more than 14 years.

As you might expect, a few changes have occurred as we’ve matured into our 60s. Instead of leaping from bed to speed-walk before business hours as before, our schedules allow us to meet later and walk a less arduous pace. Topics that used to rarely come up, like health problems and funerals, now regularly dot our lively conversations. We recently started bringing homemade brew instead of shelling out inflationary coffee shop prices. And our friendship and talks are more personal and less filtered as the miles and years have rolled on.

The basics are what inspire our tradition to continue, and those remain the same. We walk, talk, and sip fresh coffee. That’s all there is to it. It’s a healthy chance not only to exercise and socialize, but to free our wild minds and feel the great outdoors. We follow our shadows wherever they roam.

Do you like to walk? Do you have a walking buddy? I’m curious to know how typical this is among members of Medium.

Our Bodies May Be Older, But Our Coffee Is Still Fresh

September Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Shadows”

Coffee-walk buddies follow their shadows.