Day 33 - Friends of Convenience

"Friends due to convenience" is almost a thing of the past.  I say almost because I still have some foreced friendships, but for the most part I choose who I want in my life now, and it's FABULOUS!  Remember when your parents would force you to hang out with the children of their work friends?  You didn't even go to the same school as these kids; you knew nothing about them, but because your parents were friends, you were friends.  Sometimes it worked out okay.  Sometimes you guys had a lot in common and hanging out with them was a treat.  And then sometimes, it wasn't so great.  You were stuck hanging out with your polar opposite, and your parents didn't care!!

I like being an adult because I now have the ability to choose my own friends.  I much prefer conversations that are easy, over those that are forced.  There are two nights/week that I get to let loose and do something fun  I suppose I could do it throughout the week as well, but I am so exhausted during the work week that I would rather go home and do nothing at all.  Sorry friends.  So yes, that gives me Friday night and Saturday to be with people I like, and often times that's family!  We are so lucky to have such an awesome family - on both sides.  Hanging out with my siblings or Mike's siblings or our parents is actually a welcomed event.  We grab dinner and drinks with our siblings (or at least the suburban and non-college siblings) all the time.  We have awesome people in our lives, and they just so happen to be our family members.  Pretty damn cool.

I also love having those friends whom you haven't talked to regularly in a few months, sometimes years, and you get together and just pick right back up where you left off.  Those are the types of people I love having in my life.  No need for a long-winded explanation as to why it had been so long since we'd seen each other.  We just embrace the moment and go.  These are the types of friends where the conversation is easy.  We have a lot in common so there is never a dull moment.  My friends are awesome at this.  With everyone's crazy schedules - work and social - it's hard to see each other as frequently as we would like to.  But, when we do, we don't waste time on the excuses, we relish the moment and catch-up.  We are sincere.  We genuinely care about each other, and that makes for an easy, and fun night.

After a long week of work, the last thing I want to do is feel like I have to fake-socialize with people.  The beauty of being a grown-ass adult is that we can avoid those situations.  We can surround ourselves with people whom we enjoy.  People who make us laugh.  People who help you to forget how terrible your week was.  We get to choose who we spend our free time with; no more forced interactions (okay, so maybe not all the time, but for the most part).  As much as growing up kinda sucks, you know, with the "responsibility" and the "bills" and all, this part of growing up is pretty nice.  Choices.  Friends.  Awesome.