I'm actually going on a third date on Friday, and God help her, I'm taking her to an amusement park. That's a real acid test to see if she can put up with my shit. :)
Dating the past six months has been a harrowing experience. I think I've met a total of 16 new people, mostly from January to March. None of those went anywhere. I'd like to write it off as them not being interested, but I guess I wasn't trying that hard either. I've just kind of been taking it in stride. I'm not willing to settle for less than what I want and need from another person.
My friendships are a little strange. I don't really hang out with my closest friends all that often, but when we do, it's like we worked together or took a trip last week. The Penton crew in particular is like that. I wish we talked more, but I realize we're all busy, and I don't feel like they're slighting me or me slighting them. I'm very thankful for those friendships, regardless of how frequently (or infrequently) we talk.
I am fortunate to have a few very close relationships. My two best friends are an hour and four states away, but I love that I can call them at any time to talk, even if I don't see them frequently. Catherine has become another top shelf friend too. We might not have been able to hack it as a couple, but we sure do a good job of being there to support each other.
Here's the biggest thing that I've realized about all of these different levels of relationships: You just have to let them be what they are. I know a lot of people are hurt or disappointed when a relationship doesn't fit what their ideal is, but any two people will have a unique dynamic that is what it is. Not more, not less. You just have to roll with that. The more time you spend worrying about how a relationship doesn't fit into your requirements, the more miserable it makes you. It's a fruitless thing to worry about.
Tell your friends that you appreciate them. That's how you get that love back.
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