She is the new SO of a very old friend of my husband. They've been around a lot this summer, and she's not from around here, so it's been fun to show her our midwestern ways. She's from out east, has traveled a lot and is a very interesting person. I'll call her R.
This is significant because... well... I'm kind of a natural home body. My choice, I'd rather stay home then go out and party, and it's not exactly my thing to go out with the girls... in other words, I guess I don't have many close friends that I hang out with.
I mentioned to her a while back that I had a chair in the basement that I had been meaning to recover for about 15 years. She jumped on it and offered to help, pick out fabric, etc. She brought me swatches, evaluated the chair, helped me take it apart and measure the old fabric. Then we went to find new fabric and spent last weekend recovering. I don't imagine I'm the kind of girlfriend she's used to, I'm not cosmopolitan or sophisticated, don't wear a lot of jewelry or low cut outfits. I wear jeans whenever I can, and shorts. I sweat when I'm hot... well, you get the picture. But R is a very down to earth woman, she's real, and she's sweet, with a great sense of humor. Plus she is a woman's woman. She sticks up for herself and is self-assured.
I always loved this rocking chair... it was my grandma's (the one who is 97), I remember it from when I was a kid, then she gave it to me and I rocked my own babies. When we moved to the lake, it was all ripped and worn and went straight to the basement. The transformation absolutely thrilled me. There is something so rewarding about making something old new again. And it delights me how comfortable it is for me, no wonder I spent so much time rocking the boys in it. Long story short, it made me so happy.
So, last night I finished putting all the finishing tacks on the chair, wanted to show R before we went out shopping again today. I enjoy hanging out with her. It's amazing how fascinating Wisconsin can be to someone not from here. We always see ourselves as so normal and un-amazing.
I have a friend, someone to be myself with, where I'm not a mom, a wife, a daughter. I think this will be a nice summer.
I am so glad for you! A friend is an amazing comfort. I long for that close friend again. I have let many good friends go because I was in so much pain. I could not confide in them and I could not pretend so I avoided them and eventually they just stopped calling. I am sure if I reached out they would welcome me back but I just can't bring myself to go there.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your new friend and your summer.
You and I are cut from the same cloth! I am also a homebody, I stay home 90% of the time and don't have close friends nearby and I don't do "girl's nights" ever...the thought terrifies me. I am so glad this woman came into your life. I would welcome a friend like her too.
ReplyDeleteAnd let me tell you, Wisconsin is a great place! I am a California girl born and raised. I had a long distance relationship with a man in Racine back in 2009 and flew out there five times, each time for 5 - 21 days. I got to see a lot of Wisconsin (went to Summerfest!) and I loved it. I felt so at home there. Its a completely different world and I would have moved out there if it weren't for my son and the fact that this guy turned out to be a cheating liar :)
The big difference to me was the people - they are like you described yourself. Friendly, real, down to earth types vs. the "I have to be perfect and won't talk to you unless you are perfect too" types that live near me. Yuk.
Anyhow - happy for your new friendship!!