Let’s “Meet Up”

How do you make friends when you move to a totally new town? Through work? Through your children? Through your neighbors? Well, I have learned that the newest way to make friends is through the Internet!

When Kevin and I moved to Hickory, we both had full time jobs. We made dear friends through our workplaces and we still have these friends today. This move has been different. I didn’t like my job, so I didn’t have time to make friends there. Kevin has just started his new job, and the people there seem very nice. However, his workplace is in another town and the people live far away from us.

Our neighbors have been wonderful and we have become close friends. They are older than us, though, and it is more of a “parental” relationship. Our child doesn’t live here, so how do we go about making friends?

There is an app called “Meet Up” that has become quite popular. I first learned of it last summer when we started kayaking and were looking for people to paddle with. So, when I wanted to find friends with similar interests, I decided to check out the “Meet Up” groups here. It is amazing what you can find!

I have joined three groups so far. The first one is a book club that meets once a month. I have been doing Jen Lancaster’s online book club and it made me want to do a “Real Live Person” book club. I found a women’s book club that meets near me, and my first “meeting” is next Tuesday! The second group I joined is a knitting group. They meet several times a week and I am going for my first meet up with them on Thursday. The third group I joined is a women’s lunch group that meets every Tuesday for lunch and focuses on forming long lasting friendships. I am going to my first “lunch” tomorrow!

So how does it feel meeting people this way? Honestly, a little weird! I am basically asking people I don’t know to accept me into their “group”. But, then I remember that is what the “Meet Up” app is all about!

Am I nervous? Absolutely!! What if they don’t like me? What if I don’t like them?? Then I remember that is how life works. You aren’t going to become friends with everyone you meet, but if you don’t try, you won’t meet anyone!! So I have three “blind dates” in the next week. Wish me luck-no map can lead me to where I am going next!

Save travels,

Lori