I loved this Amani and the little anecdote about the lock and key!!! Meant to be!!!! I think making friends is based on flirting!! Because within friendship, whatever intensity, you are seeking a form of love! I think striking out to introduce yourself to people always requires a little level of flirting - the best way to make someone feel comfortable with you (I think) is to say you admire or like something about them! They automatically relax and then it’s much easier to get to know them. I am sad you didn’t get the key’s details. Hopefully you’ll crash paths again soon.
Friendship flirting is my favorite thing to do! I’m making new mom friends I’ve been equally pitching play dates, I bring a single baked good just for them to enjoy and try to send texts like “this made me think of you”. With my other girl friends, it’s compliment volleyball mixed with deep questions like how is this luteal phase treating you? Or what’s something you wanna gush about but haven’t yet lately? As a Libra, all forms of interest and flattery and deep companionship are important to me. Nobody is safe from this emoji 🥹 lol
My therapist was the one who first told me that everyone flirts, not just romantically, but platonically. I sometimes do the glance up and down like, “Okay, I see you. The curls are poppin…” Sometimes I play on the awkwardness of being strangers and ask if someone wants to trade mild childhood trauma stories. You never know what will land. Best thing is to out yourself out there.
I love flirting with people and I’ve made great friends from it. I think we can be so cold to each other just because we gate so much love as purely romantic, even if that love is meant platonically. Great little piece and the little thingie about Lock and Key made my post-dentist recovery day!
I absolutely love this one Amani! I love how you redefine flirting. I think flirting is a gateway to love, and there are sooo many forms of love to experience and to cherish. It takes courage to unmask and especially more so to open our heart. In doing this through your writing, you already show so much of it. I often make friends by unmasking and encouraging them to do the same - asking questions that are based upon genuine, meaningful observations (perhaps it is the therapist in me). I love the way you approached the woman with the key. What a wonderful story about destiny!
Now that you mention it, I totally made my latest friend by flirting. We met during our daughters’ first soccer season. We kept staring at each other for the first practices and games, and then I told her that I liked her style, and she said it back. We’ve been besties since. (Our daughters are besties too and are in their 3rd soccer season together 🥰) Also, I wear a tiny key on my chain. It’s the “key to my husband’s heart.” He gave it to me a year after we started dating. On the same chain, I also have an E (for my daughter), a Z (for my son), and an الله pendant for, well, Allah. Lol Great piece, Amani!
First of all, I love that you and your daughter both found friends with this family. It feels like the cycle of companionship continues! Second of all, your key sounds very special 🥹 as does the rest of your jewelry. It’s amazing when we adorn ourselves with meaningful totems. Thank you so much for sharing this!
The regret of not saying a compliment or using a one liner out of second guessing myself with people 🙃 I love how you included that your niceness wouldn’t be a ‘friend turn off’ for the people who really like you!
Planning dates! and compliments all the way <3 Loved this piece, Amani! I relate to being too nice but, I think that's a beautiful part of who we are! Thank you for sharing!
I 100% agree that smiling and being overall outgoing is key for any successful social interactions. Sometimes that's enough to have people's energy mirror yours, other times (mostly with introverts, I found) the energy is not matched but not challenged either. That's when you'll make plans FOR an extrovert and they will become part of your circle (very slowly!)
What a wonderful concept! I agree—we express concern and care for our significant others by flirting. So why not friends too? They also are quite significant!
I loved this Amani and the little anecdote about the lock and key!!! Meant to be!!!! I think making friends is based on flirting!! Because within friendship, whatever intensity, you are seeking a form of love! I think striking out to introduce yourself to people always requires a little level of flirting - the best way to make someone feel comfortable with you (I think) is to say you admire or like something about them! They automatically relax and then it’s much easier to get to know them. I am sad you didn’t get the key’s details. Hopefully you’ll crash paths again soon.
I know I hope we meet again soon as well! I like your reflection on it
I am sure you will - it's meant to be!
Friendship flirting is my favorite thing to do! I’m making new mom friends I’ve been equally pitching play dates, I bring a single baked good just for them to enjoy and try to send texts like “this made me think of you”. With my other girl friends, it’s compliment volleyball mixed with deep questions like how is this luteal phase treating you? Or what’s something you wanna gush about but haven’t yet lately? As a Libra, all forms of interest and flattery and deep companionship are important to me. Nobody is safe from this emoji 🥹 lol
Yes!!!!! also I love the term “compliment volleyball” haha
My therapist was the one who first told me that everyone flirts, not just romantically, but platonically. I sometimes do the glance up and down like, “Okay, I see you. The curls are poppin…” Sometimes I play on the awkwardness of being strangers and ask if someone wants to trade mild childhood trauma stories. You never know what will land. Best thing is to out yourself out there.
I love flirting with people and I’ve made great friends from it. I think we can be so cold to each other just because we gate so much love as purely romantic, even if that love is meant platonically. Great little piece and the little thingie about Lock and Key made my post-dentist recovery day!
I absolutely love this one Amani! I love how you redefine flirting. I think flirting is a gateway to love, and there are sooo many forms of love to experience and to cherish. It takes courage to unmask and especially more so to open our heart. In doing this through your writing, you already show so much of it. I often make friends by unmasking and encouraging them to do the same - asking questions that are based upon genuine, meaningful observations (perhaps it is the therapist in me). I love the way you approached the woman with the key. What a wonderful story about destiny!
I love hearing your take on this 🖤 thank you
Now that you mention it, I totally made my latest friend by flirting. We met during our daughters’ first soccer season. We kept staring at each other for the first practices and games, and then I told her that I liked her style, and she said it back. We’ve been besties since. (Our daughters are besties too and are in their 3rd soccer season together 🥰) Also, I wear a tiny key on my chain. It’s the “key to my husband’s heart.” He gave it to me a year after we started dating. On the same chain, I also have an E (for my daughter), a Z (for my son), and an الله pendant for, well, Allah. Lol Great piece, Amani!
First of all, I love that you and your daughter both found friends with this family. It feels like the cycle of companionship continues! Second of all, your key sounds very special 🥹 as does the rest of your jewelry. It’s amazing when we adorn ourselves with meaningful totems. Thank you so much for sharing this!
Highlighting something in common or of beauty. It could be anything honestly - e.g. totebag, reading a book, an hairdo, etc. Let's get started!
Either for a minute or a long time, depending on the vibe.
First base, complimenting and spreading love always rejoice. Homerun, seeing them back again is both your choices.
Love the home run as being a mutual agreement to hang 😄💯
I'm obsessed with how much you giggle in the audio version of this post, it makes me automatically smile, too. (Did I do it?? Is this flirting??)
Possibly 😄❤️🔥
The regret of not saying a compliment or using a one liner out of second guessing myself with people 🙃 I love how you included that your niceness wouldn’t be a ‘friend turn off’ for the people who really like you!
Sometimes that hesitation gets the best of us! 😄 and yes! I realize compatibility with friends is just as important as romantic relationships :)
I hadn't thought of it that way, but I complimented her on her style and I genuinely meant it. I love a good 90s fit.
That’s what I think is the best, when you can casually connect with someone on a genuine level. I freaking love a 90s fit too haha!
Planning dates! and compliments all the way <3 Loved this piece, Amani! I relate to being too nice but, I think that's a beautiful part of who we are! Thank you for sharing!
Super yes on planning dates! And I think you’re right about that :)
And then there's extroverts adopting introverts ;)
Yes! Please do tell me more!
I 100% agree that smiling and being overall outgoing is key for any successful social interactions. Sometimes that's enough to have people's energy mirror yours, other times (mostly with introverts, I found) the energy is not matched but not challenged either. That's when you'll make plans FOR an extrovert and they will become part of your circle (very slowly!)
Haha this is actually a good tip and is making me think of all the PLANS I made to date my v introverted partner 😆🙌
absolutely. sorority rush is based on this concept 😂
YEEEEEES!!!!!!!!! Wow
What a wonderful concept! I agree—we express concern and care for our significant others by flirting. So why not friends too? They also are quite significant!