Tell us your friendship meetcute!
Pinkie promise it’ll bring a smile to your face
So…how did you two meet?
It’s often the first question romantic couples get asked at cocktail parties or family functions.
Recently, I’ve started asking people this question about their closest friends, too1. And let me tell you, the energy in the room immediately changes. Their faces light up and they gush for minutes telling me every detail of the moment their best friend came into their lives. One woman I talked to was even in (joyful) tears after recounting how special her friend is to her, how lucky she is that they met.
So, this week we want to hear your friendship meetcute in the comments.
Pick one forever or share stories from a few. Remember as many details as you can: The sights, smells, and sounds, the feeling you had, the moment you knew this was something special.
It will bring a smile to our face and probably yours, too. And we could all use a little more of that right now.
We’ll start: Sam and I talk about the moment our lives crossed paths often. As part of a prospective student’s weekend at American University, we were on a group outing to Kramers, a bookstore and cafe in the heart of DC. I was nervous about meeting new people, but Sam exuded a social confidence I didn’t have and was wearing these fabulous embroidered jeans that I complimented her on2. That’s all it took: We spent the rest of the night hanging out, and — in the glow of feeling like we’d found our people — both submitted our deposits the next day. Thanks to this mirrored decision, we ended up as dorm room neighbors and forever friends.
Those jeans feel like such a critical part of our story that Sam still owns them even though they are far more low rise than she’d ever wear again, and we often talk about turning them into a keepsake or getting matching tattoos3 of some of the embroidery.
Okay, it’s your turn — we can’t wait to hear your stories!
Sam note: Asking people about their closest friends (instead of or in addition to romantic partners) is a small but radical shift that subtly reshapes conversations to be more inclusive and expansive. Try it and see!
Sam note: My clothes are more confident than I am haha. Luckily, Erin has her own version of social confidence, being the first to talk and break the ice.
Sam note: Did you get a tattoo with your bestie? Inquiring minds want to know.
sometimes it takes a long while into your journey to meet some of your soul sisters. I was working my first week at a rehab hospital, after only having one son left at home to schedule around. I only knew one other person on staff, and was trying to meet other nurses and medical personnel to collaborate on education for patients. I was working longer shifts so I wore support hose to prevent my legs from getting tired and swollen. I was in a stairwell that I did not believe to be well traveled , pulling up my support hose, when my soul sister Rachel opened the door with another doctor and saw me hunched over with my hands trying desperately to yank everything back in place. She had an extreme look of concern on her face and asked if I was alright or having a seizure, or about to be sick in the stairwell. I laughed and was quite embarrassed at being caught with my sweater dress yanked up, and being all bent over. When she realized everything was fine, she laughed so hard, and I knew she understood what was happening. She had the happiest , most loving eyes and smile, and turned out to be the best PA I ever worked with. We became instant partners in care and deep friends. I am so thankful for her, and to know that you can meet besties at any point in your life.