From kindergarten all the way through the age of eight I had a best friend. We were inseparable and I think we were both content with things being that way. However, half way through my third grade year mom and I left Florida and headed to live in New York for several years. I eventually lost touch with her and I’m sure that has to do with my crappy pen pal skills. The beauty of social media has reconnected us, but so many years were lost that I’m sure it would never be the same.
Now, looking back, I realize that move to New York to be a pivotal point in my life. It was the major factor that played into my accelerated dance training, but it was also the beginning of my change of habits with friends. After leaving my best friend in Florida I never really made any more close friends as a child. Maybe it was because I didn’t want to go through being separated from them again or maybe it was that I just preferred to keep to myself all of a sudden. Either way, I stopped doing a lot of the things that kids typically do with their friends.
I moved back to Florida just in time to start junior high school and the pattern continued there as well. At one point I had a few female friends that I began to get close to and then, in true high school fashion, some rumor separated all of us and I was once again alone. Throughout college I had very few friends and was very wary about letting people get close to me. Since I have continued this trend all the way into my thirties, I’ve found it a challenge to make a list of gals to invite to a bridal shower or bachelorette party.
While many gals I know had massive parties with 25-50 guests, I can’t imagine being able to come up with a list of gals that is longer than a dozen. I’m not complaining in the least. I’ll take quality over quantity any day. However, I just find it interesting that my first relocation when I was eight sparked such a huge change in the way I interact with others. I know that those who are a part of the pre-wedding festivities will make it memorable and I couldn’t ask for anything other than that.