A Story About Connecting.

Last week my friend Michelle spent a night at my apartment.  She was here for work.  I hadn’t seen Michelle in a few years, but it was like we hadn’t spent a day apart.  I’m sure everyone has those friends –you don’t talk often, but when you have the chance to reconnect it’s like nothings changed.  Michelle and I used to wok together 10+ years ago.  At the time she was living in NYC, and I was the fresh out of college assistant that picked up the phone when the important people couldn’t.  We didn’t even work together really, I was on the TV side of the business and she was on the digital side.  She would call to talk to someone who wasn’t available, and we would slip into some random conversation.  We clicked. 

I know right away.  I can meet you, and after that initial conversation I can tell if we’ll be friends.  I have a good judge of character.  The second time I went to NYC I stayed with Michelle.  Outside of one or two times meeting via work functions we hadn’t psychically been in the same city.  I’m sure people thought it was strange… you’re basically staying with a stranger.  I wasn’t though.  Michelle and I were connected, and I knew that right away.  I was right.  Our friendship has grown over the years.  One year we spent New Years Eve in Austin.  We woke up News Years Day, Michelle asked, ‘Would you judge me if I called downstairs to see if they’ll deliver breakfast and mimosas?’  ‘Only if we can lay in bed and watch Dawson’s Creek or something.’  We will always be friends. 

I’m sure I frighten people at how forward I am.  A couple of months ago, in my friends backyard, I was introduced to this girl.  She was kind of related to my friend.. cousin in-law or something of that nature.  I love meeting new people.  I love learning about their life and their experiences.  She works in sales, and she just moved to Chicago.  At one point she pulled me to the side, ‘next time you want to smoke let’s go out front… I don’t smoke in front of the kids.’  We chatted out front about her life –living in Asia as teenager.  At some point I felt the click.  We’re going to be friends.  Later in the night, ‘I hope you know we are going to be best friends.’ I’ve saw the look she gave me… it’s a weird thing to say to someone.  I get it.  I knew though –and I was right. 

I don’t know why I know, but I do.  I trust my gut feeling when it comes to meeting people.  It’s the same with dating… I can tell after one date.  That leads to a lot of first dates, and not a lot of seconds.  My friends will say I don’t give people a chance, that’s probably true.  It’s the right thing for me though.  I can sit across from someone, have a cup of coffee or a glass of wine… I’ll know.  I'll wait for the click.  It'll come, or it won't.  Also, this reminds me… I need to buy a plane ticket to LA for Michelle’s birthday party in March.