H and I are probably at least 10 years younger than everyone in our neighborhood. Last spring, a couple moved in one house away from us, and they seemed to be about our age. I wanted to introduce myself to them and be friends, but we never seemed to run into them. We just keep seeing them from a distance.
About a month ago, I saw the couple walking with a stroller, and I thought Jackpot! I instituted Plan: Casually Let The Other Couple Know We Have A Baby Too And Become Friends. But then the weather has sucked, so I have had a very difficult time trying to implement my casual plan. I saw the couple walking again with the stroller and their dog when B and I were getting the mail. I said hi, but B was going crazy over their dog, and I was trying to rein him in, so I don;t think they said anything back. I could not be deterred that easily! They walked by another time while B and I were drawing on the driveway with chalk, and I got them to say hi back. Yes! Baby steps!
Last week, I was on our street, just starting a walk with Baby M when neighbor woman turned onto our street with her baby, just finishing her walk. We were walking on opposite sides of the street, so I crossed over and forced her to talk with me. And she is super nice! Yes! And her baby daughter is exactly one week older than Baby M. Score! She said her daughter’s name is Olivia, to which I responded, “I love that name! I wanted to use that as Baby M’s middle name but H didn’t like it [shit! shit! you just insulted her daughter's name! fix it! fix it!] because then the baby’s initials would be MOP [which was actually my concern, not H's, but whatever. I saved it! Yes!].”
At the end of our conversation, I suggested a playdate for the babies, which is ridiculous because the babies are not old enough to play. But she said yes. AND she said that her husband had overheard H talking to a different neighbor about Baby M, and they had been hoping our daughters would become great friends. Double score!
Plan:Casually Let The Other Couple Know We Have A Baby Too And Become Friends is on its way!
I LOVE plans like this, and I love the baby-name-remark save!
I am getting pretty good at saving my many foot-in-the-mouth remarks.
I heard from one of my neighbors that another neighbor couple that I haven’t met (or even SEEN out and about) just had a baby boy too and now I’m trying to implement that plan too! Actally, I’m working myself up to just walk up and ring their doorbell with brownies or something. Here’s to courage!
I considered that option as well, but I knew I’d see them eventually, so I stuck with the stealth plan. I think you should go for it!
Ha, this sounds exactly like something I would do. Good work!
I just assume everyone makes crazy plans like this, even though I know it is kind of crazy.
NICELY PLAYED, MADAM. Your master plan sounds foolproof!!!
Yes! I’m so glad to know I’m not the only one who stalks my neighbors!!
I am currently pre-stalking the pregnant women who walk around my neighborhood so I can make them my friends when the baby comes. I admire your persistence and celebrate your success!
We are in the process of doing things too. We brought cookies when they moved in, moved on to conversations in the driveway or when we’re both in the backyard, and I got a “you should come over for lunch sometime” but I feel weird just knocking on the door since they have a new baby. I should probably bite the bullet and do it. They have a 3-year old girl (close to K’s age) and a new baby (2 months younger than X).
oops, doing *this* too.
Now that we are living in a building i need to make friends and learn elevator small talk. I’m both excited and terrified. I’m sure I’ll make an ass of myself. I’m either having deja vu or I left this exact comment earlier. Sorry…the move has me a bit out of it.
Good for you! I am always wishing I could do this with the other women who exercise around my apartment complex. But I am not as brave as you are!
Yay! We never did find suitable friends in our neighborhood. Ours are all in the next neighborhood over. Would it be worthwhile to move half a mile?
Good for you! This kind of stuff makes my palms sweat, but it’s so worth it. I am sure she was hoping you would make the first move!
Yay for you and your successfully executed plan!
Everyone in our neighborhood is retired, or very close to it, but on occasion AMP gets to play with their grandkids.
Well done with the save! I hope her baby and M do get to be friends!
OMG I’m like this too…cept I have had no success. I say hi to all the neighbors with the kids and make smiling nice faces and gestures but UGHHH they all smile back and go on their merry way. When did making friends become so hard?