On Maintaining Friendships...

There's a new book out called MWF Seeking BFF - it's the true story of an adult woman who, despite having friends in cities where she'd before been established, moves to Chicago to be with the man she'll eventually marry but finds herself without anyone with whom to go grab a pedicure. She spends a year going on friend dates.

I haven't read this book yet, but it's on my list for Spring because I love the dynamics of women and friendships. 


Nearly four years after I moved from Washington to the 'burbs, I've yet to make any friends in my new town because, quite simply, I have not tried. I have a lot of great friends down in the city, and I was really lucky to marry into a set of fun couples where I've quickly befriended all the wives. 


I do hear women, especially, talk often about how hard it is to make friends, but I don't think that's really the case. I think it's hard to maintain friendships, to do the work of staying in touch and being the kind of friend you want to have. Perhaps we should take a cue from these men....

Dan and his BFFs

This weekend, the group of friends I married into - Dan's best guy friends and their wives - had the first outing of an effort I've dubbed Frienaissiance 2012. 


In February, Brian (who is married to the meal-planning master, Kathleen) sent out an email to the nine couples who make up our crew and suggested we save the first Saturday of each month as a night for the group to hang out. So on Saturday, sitters were procured and friends traveled from city and country to meet up at a popular pub near Dan and me just to spend a few hours together. 

Eight of the nine couples were there, including the most recent parents to a three-week old! I could be biased, because I like these people, but I think that's a pretty impressive showing! 


I hope the boat trips, game nights, drive-in movies and other general celebrations we discussed having on Saturday happen as Frieniassance 2012 continues. Because life will surely get in the way, I know there will be future dates where the crowds aren't as large, but I think the fact that the entire group is willing to make room for each other is kind of special. Because if the reaction to MFW Seeking BFF is any indication,  it's not always easy to make friends (especially friends you share with your spouse) so it's certainly worth the time to maintain the friendships you do have.