Last summer we sat around a table with parents in a similar situation - all of our children were about to begin their first year at Veritas Academy. I looked in the faces of people who I had known for less than five minutes and an endearing thought crossed my mind: “These are going to be my people.”
There was a certain 
camaraderie in the room, despite our short acquantence. A period of tumultuous research, interviews, open houses, and prayer had led us all to the same conclusion. After examining many viable and good options, we had all counted the cost and chosen to pursue classical christian education. We were all beginning a new journey as parents, and now, also as friends.
You see, it occurred to me that night, at the new parent dinner, that these were the faces of people I will see on a regular basis for the next decade. Their kids will be the ones whose names fill the stories of my son’s school days. So why not make a strong effort to get to know them, as well?
I got so excited when I thought about these new friends and compared it to college. The friendships I made over mutual interests and a shared major ran deep, and that was only four years of my life. Adult friendship are so much different than college, I’ve even noticed friendships ebb and flow based on the season of life I am in. This new season of life - the one where I am the parent of a school aged child - will last for no less than thirteen years. The potential for meaningful relationships is great.
Logistically speaking, these are some of the things I have tried to foster these budding friendships.
Social Media
Yes, I am that person. As soon as I am introduced to a new friend, I go home and search for them on Facebook. Seeing their name and face together helps me to remember them (especially important when you are meeting a lot of new people). Of course, some people don’t use social media, so in that case, I occasionally keep a note in my phone of new people. This is such a good use of this tool - it’s helped me to quickly learn and share in mutual interests with other parents, not to mention helped us to realize other shared acquaintances.
Make a Date 
The past few months have been filled with several random coffee dates, a.k. the friendship version of a first date. Sometimes it’s a play date after school where our kids from the same class play together while we get to know each other, sometimes it’s hitting Starbucks together while the kids are at school.
Attend Community Events
In the short six months that we’ve been involved at Veritas, there have been many events for families. These events are meant to have fun together and build community. Some highlights for our family have been the Great Pumpkin Chase and the 20th Anniversary Gala.
Veritas Academy will host three upcoming events for parents, and I’m pretty stoked for the chance to get to know even more new friends. The series is called “Downtown Destination Conversations,” and features a night for moms, dads, and all parents. The purpose of these events is specifically to help Veritas parents connect with one another and grow in our parenting and personal endeavors. Veritas deeply values community, and we see it as a great benefit of being part of a smaller Christian school like this - a host of other like-minded families with whom we can share life and learning. Check out the details below, and hopefully you can make it to one or two and get to know your Veritas "tribe" a little better in the process!
March 27, 2017
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Bistro Barberet, Lancaster
Enjoy an evening of camaraderie and conversation as we moms bond together over heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar, and take part in an engaging discussion led by Kathy McClure, Veritas parent, author, and founder of uber-popular local blog Frugal Lancaster, speaking on Thriving by Diving Out of Your Comfort Zone: How using your gifts is the best gift for moms
March 13, 2017
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Tellus360, Lancaster
Join us for an evening of camaraderie and conversations as we dads gather for food and fortification in our fathering endeavors. The evening will include a time of mingling and heavy appetizers, followed by a discussion led by Chris Walker, Veritas Secondary teacher and Youth Pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church, speaking on Training Our Boys to Be Men (and Our Daughters to Know the Difference)
April 30, 2017
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
The Trust, Lancaster
Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra since 1999, award-winning violinist David Kim will make his Trust debut! Performing with Kim is award-winning local pianist, Christopher Shih, and section leaders of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Che-Hung Chen, viola, Joseph Conyers, bass, and Yumi Kendall, cello. This memorable evening will feature Franz Schubert’s legendary Trout Quintet. Begin your evening chatting with fellow Veritas parents at our private hors d’oeuvres reception before enjoying this premier, thrilling symphonic performance that closes the Trust’s 16/17 Season! A dessert reception with the artists will follow the concert.
