Making friends is something that has become harder to do the older we get.
As children we're thrust into classes with other children our age, we spend at least 8 hours together, learning and playing which leads to play dates and best friends. Some of these friends you'll stay with through middle school and high school and others you don't but new friends from school and other activities will fill in the space.
You graduate high school and go off to college, where you become friends with a whole new group of people. These are people that chose to go to the same school, perhaps because of similar personalities but definitely because you want to be in the same place. You live with your college friends, making trips for late night dinners, drinking too much, and sleeping on each other's sofas.
After graduation you go your separate ways, sometimes moving to the same area, sometimes going to the same graduate school, mostly keeping in touch sporadically.
So here I am, in my middle 20s living in the town I grew up in. All of my high school friends have moved away, I've fallen out of touch with almost all of my college friends and work with a mix of college students and family.
All in all, I'm not in a great situation to make new friends. Jus has some good guy friends that have girlfriends that I can spend time with but don't necessarily connect with. Many times in the past couple of years I've found myself getting very discouraged due to the lack of women my age with similar interests in my area.
Ten months ago I started this little blog and since then I've begun to feel a part of a community. The bloggers I've come into contact with have been caring, had similar interests and are inspiring. In the time since I've started this blog I've felt happy and more comfortable with myself, I don't feel so alone and love getting to know other bloggers.
Unfortunately I don't live close to many bloggers so when it comes time to grab a girlfriend and head to see a chick flick I'm out of luck unless my little sis or BFF Beth are in town.
Last week we had a party and a couple who are friends of friends came. This couple is also engaged, interested in music, and has just moved back here (his hometown) from Nashville and purchased their first home. I've known him since I was 4, always being friendly but never really being friends. His fiance and I had the kind of silly conversation you have after drinking in which you decide to become friends. We've since hung out once at their house and they're coming over for dinner Monday.
Strangely, I feel like I'm getting ready for a date. I want to be myself but I also want to make a great impression. I know that friendships are like relationships in that you can't push anything, but I miss the days of being 6 when you can wrap your arms around someone and declare them to be your best friend after knowing them for an hour.
I feel like as you grow older you become more reliant on your partner and family to entertain you and loose the friendship building skills that flourished when we were kids.
Have you struggled with making new friends as a grown up?
PS Have a happy weekend, lovebugs! We're headed to Chicago to celebrate Jus's brother's birthday with some deep dish pizza.
PPS Don't forget to sign up for the package exchange if you haven't yet!
