Tag Archives: Friendship

Friends are sometimes people who you least expect

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I love coming to see this older friend of mine (who could practically be my mother because she is almost 20 years older) more than I enjoy people my own age. Why is that? I have always had this penchant with getting along with people younger than myself, or older. What is that about?

Is it because there is no possible competition? I think with older people, they are just more sensible. Less drama. More common sense. Lots of wisdom to share. I also think that older folks get a real kick of listening and laughing to younger people. It gives the a chance to think about what they did at that age, or they are probably secretly thinking how dumb some of the decisions that the younger generation are making.

Whatever it is, it works out nicely for me. We have such a good time with my older friend, even if she goes to bed early or doesn’t feel good, when we are with her we feel like we are at home. We fix meals and clean up and she never complains and is just so selfless. It is refreshing

Younger friends can be fun too. I have a younger girlfriend whom I call to do lounges with when my daughter is at a sleepover. She is fun and girly and we both dress to the nines and turn heads when we are out together. I enjoy listening to her dramatic stories of love and the dating scene. She hasn’t knocked on 30’s door yet, though she will be soon. I am not tons older than her, but just old enough to feel protective of her and to offer her wise words. But I am young enough to have fun hanging out with her from time to time.

When I thought I was going to be into the dating scene last year before I decided hell no, she was who I wanted to hang with or talk to as much as I could. She was the fun time friend. But when it comes to serious matters, she would not be on the top of my list of people to turn to.

though I of course have friends my age, they have kids too that are near my age. This keeps us busy, often times they are stressed and busy. But honestly nit is the competitive aspect that bugs me the most. A lot of people that we know are jealous of all that my kid can do. They are not overtly so, but it is obvious when my kid has accomplished something huge like almost getting signed with an agent. I don’t brag about it, and sometimes do not mention these things on social media so that people do not think that I am bragging or something. Of course I have friends who know the real deal and are supportive. I am the same way with their kids. I think that is the biggest reason that I prefer to hang around people from different generations of my own, the whole one upping regarding each other’s children.

So, if you are noticing that people in your social circle are not your cup of tea, reach out to friends that are maybe not in your age range or core group of friends. Go for tea with a kind older neighbor and learn about her younger years. If you have an older kid, go meet with a young mom with a new baby and impart some wisdom for them while showing empathy to her lack of sleep. My whole point is, that friends come in all forms and it really is nice to open up your heart mind to different people. You may find that their friendship is exactly what you have been searching for.

Is it silly as a grown woman to long for a best friend?

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I totally woke up today thinking out how I missed having a best friend to talk to everyday, or on a regular basis. I had a series of best friends at different stages of my life like most of us have. In Kindergarten, Elementary, High School and College. Even when I went back to college in my mid-20’s to finish up my Bachelor’s, I had a crew of friends that were at my place consistently. Then I started career work and did not bond with the people in those 2 different jobs for different reasons. One job, was just super stressful and we worked long hours and the women were older with families so their was no commonality. The second career job was with all men, and I did not feel respect or a sense of belonging. Then over the last decade I have been a mom and have taken care of kids, so outside of the parents of the kids I have cared for or friends I have met because I in “mom” situations (park, dance classes, kid events, etc.), I haven’t met tons of people.

I think it is an awkward time when babies are l little. Many stay at home moms and dad feel a sense of isolation. I remember being super lonely and trying to start a mom’s group or join one. It was super tough to start one because there were so many established ones in this area. On the other hand, it was hard to go to a mom’s club because I worked taking care of kids so my schedule was not wide open. So, as much as I loved being around for my child, particularly during her early years, I wanted someone to talk to besides my husband or the grocery store clerk. It also did not help that my husband and his friends were super immature and club goers, so it is not like I was invited to a lot of couples events, because most of his friends were not in committed relationships.

Now I am in a different situation. I am a single mom in a land of families everywhere. So the close friends I have who are “kept”, do not have to work, and they do couples events. I have the occasional lunch/dinner or drinks with these women, but it is much less now that our kids are older and are going in so many directions with activities and parties. So, for a long, long time I have missed my college best friend who is over 600 miles away and a lot of other friends who really know me before I was a parent but they live all over the country.

I had a friend last year who I talked to every day for months on end. We had known each other for a few years because we met at a local Starbucks and I would see her there all of the time. After knowing each other awhile, we decided to hang out and do a girl’s day with my kid. After hanging out, she was literally my bestie. We had best friend bracelets event-I know silly!!! She would text me or call me every morning and night and we would hang out any time my daughter had a sleepover or camping trip or event. We would even hang out with my kid because she adores her.

But one day, she kind of stopped and I felt crushed. It sounds utterly ridiculous, but our friendship became comfy and there was someone I could tell things to besides my mom or daughter or a best friend that I talk to every couple of weeks. And, she was local, so that made it more fun.She is single though and she dates freely and has a completely different life and schedule and is younger than me. But I was so excited to have someone I could be myself with like my friends from long ago. So it took me a couple of months to get adjusted to not talking to her as much because whatever funk she was going through. Even though we still talk now, and she is there for my daughter’s important events, or for my birthday, we don’t have the same sister like relationship.

I guess shows like Friends and Sex and the City lulled me into this false sense of belief that I too at 30ish would have a close knit group of friends that I can hang with. But honestly, most people my age and a majority of the moms that I have befriended over the last 10 years are just homely and boring. I vowed to never be a mom that discusses diaper genies or to drive a mini-van. Most of my friends drive a mini-van and there cars are pretty cool on the inside, so that isn’t what makes them not cool to hang with. They are just so lost in their familial relationships, that they have lost the fun part of themselves. Though I am totally dedicated to my daughter, I still dress stylish and know the latest music and I am a part of a woman’s small group that meets once a month. I go to wine tastings every couple of months. Basically, though I have no hubby or man in my life, I am more than just a parent.

I guess I am looking for a Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte or Miranda to meet up with. I want to be around people if they have children, put them first. But I also want these same people to put themselves at a very close second. In other words, not act like they are 60. Maybe in this stage of my life it is difficult to find a bestie to meet up with who gets who I am and can relate to where I am in my life. Perhaps I am expecting to much from people. Maybe if I got married again it would be a cinch? Or maybe, having a best friend is not something I should be worried about. But when I watch movies and television and see friends on social media hanging with theirs, I miss having someone who is like a sister to talk to.

Sound pathetic? Probably so, but this is what I am feeling right now and pitiful or not it is the truth. Do you guys have besties you hang with? Am I the only person out there who feels the need to meet more friends and make more connections? Surely I am not. Well anyway, have a good night and enjoy your weekend! Funnily enough, we are going out of state to NJ to see a very good friend for the weekend. So I guess I have a good number of friends, but not the fun-loving, secret keeping, fabulous sidekick that I wish for:)

Simply~

Dee