A circle of Villanova college friends has convened on Zoom every Thursday evening for more than 300 weeks.
The ritual kicked off in March 2020 during COVID lockdowns, with no intention of quitting anytime soon.
These regular video sessions have sparked more face-to-face gatherings and profoundly enriched their adult relationships.

On a typical Thursday evening, the Villanova alumni group dives into their familiar chat, laced with private jokes and fond recollections. Topics drift effortlessly among elder millennial concerns - career shifts, toddler sleep woes, and navigating Gen Z colleagues - until a quick pause.

"Sorry everyone, I need to sign off," Kate Reynolds announces from Bourbon Street, her headphones dangling like festive beads on screen. "Karaoke awaits, but I love you guys."

These 10 pals connect via Zoom every Thursday at 9:30 p.m. since March 19, 2020. Like countless others, they launched the weekly virtual hangout as pandemic relief. Unlike most, they persisted.

Over 321 sessions, they have dialed in from five countries and 13 states, supported six significant job transitions, toasted two marriages and three newborns, and aged from 35 to 40 as a unit.

Thursday evenings hold a hallowed status for the "NovaZoom" squad. The practice has shown them how to nurture enduring adult ties, and they vow to continue indefinitely - or until sharing a retirement community.

Origins of the Tradition

Back in 2003 as freshmen, the NovaZoom crew experienced college in a more low-tech era. Staying in touch with far-flung pals meant phone calls. Location sharing relied on AIM status updates. Texting was pricey - 50 cents to send, 10 cents to receive. Watching TV episodes of "Friends" or "Sex and the City" was a group event.

"That was likely the final phase before technology dominated our daily lives," noted Nick Sampogna, a group member.

Their bond formed via standard campus milestones - orientation, dorms, extracurriculars. A mutual passion for performing arts drew them to Villanova's theater and choral ensembles. The roster grew as romances bloomed (one in grad school, another mid-Flip Cup game).

Post-graduation, they scattered to New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Reunions happened mainly at weddings or holidays. Over time, interactions leaned toward scheduling or reminiscing.

"Group texts tapered off," Sampogna recalled. "They focused on event coordination or shared nostalgia."

March 19, 2020, marked a shift as nationwide lockdowns began. After a work virtual happy hour, Amy Gallo messaged her old crew: why not Zoom?

"I felt nostalgic and suggested we give it a shot," she remembered. "Folks joined, and we played Kings Cup."

Subsequent Thursdays saw tentative group texts gauging interest: "Up for Thirsty Thursday?" or "Anyone game to continue?" Soon, confirmation became unnecessary - it was always a go.

Early pandemic attendance fluctuated, swelling to 20 for birthdays with virtual bashes and quizzes.

"Core is 10 now, but it varied at first," Sampogna said. "Some nights felt like a full Brady Bunch reunion."

As screen exhaustion hit broadly by summer 2020, other virtual hours faded, but NovaZoom endured. It echoed their undergrad rhythm of casual hallway chats, serving as a steady anchor in chaos.

From Family Tips to Pranks and Reflections

Outsiders often probe NovaZoom with: "Still at it?" and "What do you even discuss?"

Early pandemic talks stretched late into college memories or Temu oddities.

"A few hit 4 a.m.," Sampogna shared.

Parents exchange childcare advice, from teething to preschool. Dating quests get airtime. Villanova hoops, especially March Madness, commands many nights, alongside weighty debates.

"We tackle politics, race, gender issues - current events," said Adriane Reilly. "Yet we pivot seamlessly to humor, true to our group's nature."

"Not all heavy," chimed Brendan Reilly, her spouse. "Lately, debating Amy's first Nicolas Cage flick."

Fresh jokes emerge, fueling texts and meetups - like a year-long mayo gag targeting an averse friend.

"Zoom birthed half our current humor," Brendan noted.

Bonds Outside Digital Filters

Amid rising loneliness reports - teens chatting AI, physicians suggesting clubs, apps mimicking dating for pals - NovaZoom stands apart.

"Instagram shows curated friend glimpses," Mike Denny observed. "Not the full picture."

The calls unpack photo backstories, offering raw authenticity: mayo laughs or support on romance, parenting, elder care.

"They hear my dating woes; it pulls me from isolation," Jenny Sweeny said. "Thursdays are my safe harbor."

"Here, I'm my genuine self amid daily facades," Gallo added.

In-person meetups rise, eased by no recap needs.

"Skip the 'What's new?' - just enjoy the moment," Denny said.

Kids now view the crew as kin.

"Zoom and visits make me 'Uncle Nick,' not just 'Mom's pal,'" Sampogna said.

An Unbreakable Routine

No mandates attend every call; misses draw no ire. Numbers vary from 10 to a handful.

Consistency deepens ties over time.

"Good friendships demand effort," Gallo emphasized. "Early chats felt stiff, but persistence paid off."

"Initiate without guarantees," she urged.

NovaZoom eyes eternity: retirement digs together or a Powerball-fueled "Villanova Scotia" purchase.

Even then, Thursdays stay virtual.

"That's our motto," Reynolds quipped.