If there is anything that is true about small towns, it's that relationships, friendships, are the ties that bind the community together. Any community, really, small town or not, but they're the glue of small-town life.

These original short stories showcase those inspiring friendships.

The first takes us to a night on the countryside between friends that leads to a rollicking adventure only conjured by small-town living. Then there's the small-town law firm of three partners struggling to make ends meet, and a revelation about what matters most. Story three is a deeply personal one, between father and son, where a gut-wrenching encounter forges a bond between the two like nothing ever could. In story four, the new Junction pastor finishes up his first week taking over from the Rev-and a chance encounter with several Junctioneers drives home his Why for getting into the pastoring gig in the first place. Ending with a group of friends celebrating a holiday that reminds them they've got all they need: each other.

Friendships are the stuff of life, especially small-town life. Which makes sense, as the Book of Ecclesiastes points out: Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help.

Wise words for an age forgetting what matters most.

So, here's to friendships. Here's to what brings us together and holds us together-in any number of ways. Here's to friendships, great and small.