Friendly Strangers

It's strange when you interact with people you've known for years, or your whole life, and you realize you're just as much strangers as you were the day you met. Maybe you've had conversations, maybe they know which guy you used to like or what you wore to the school dance, but they don't really know you. They don't know your secrets or your troubles or what makes you crazy or what makes you cry. And you know just as little about them. And its like they'll make some joke and have no idea they're hitting so close to home. But you know you cant say anything. Because if they knew some things, well, some of them, they'd be shocked or angry or upset.

I've become so used to talking to and being with people I trust, who may not know everything, but at least I can be myself around them. Then, I come into a situation where I cant be myself. Around these friendly strangers. I want to just be me, but I cant. Because it might upset them. I have to act. Draw a balance. I don't want to appear too fake, because I like me. But I must act a little because I dont want to upset or offend them. Although, I'm trying to let my own happiness be more important than the opinion of others, I still take into account others emotions and am aware of people around me. Maybe its not entirely who I'd want to be around, but I dont want to ruin the relationships either. Its easier to navigate when we pretend we know each other. Even if we're worlds apart.

So, that's what we do, we pretend. And we keep on pretending, and maybe 30 years down the road we'll realize there are only a handful of people we do know. If that. But it'll be okay, because all that time we were pretending to know some, we were cultivating friendships with that handful. We were meeting the real them. And everyone else, they're nice to have. But the ones who arent strangers, the ones you're comfortable around, and the ones just as comfortable around you, they're the ones who are important. They're the people to hold on to. Maybe you dont know every secret, or every detail of their life. What's important is that you don't have to hide your awesome personality. So, to all my friends reading this, and if you are reading this, you're probably one of them, you guys are amazing, and I love you, and I dont know what I'd do with out you. So, I hope that you feel like you can tell me things and be yourself, I dont want anyone to feel like they need to act around me. Because I want to know, and there's a 99.9% chance I'll like you just the way you are : ) and to those of you who are friendly strangers, perhaps at some point we'll be able to grow closer, meet each other. And perhaps not. I just hope feelings don't turn to dislike. And, just to throw this out there, if you have a problem with me, talk to me about it. I may not wanna hear it at first. Cause, lets be honest, very few people like hearing what they're doing wrong. But after initially being upset, I'll usually come around, I'm willing to listen and talk. I'd rather have to get some constructive criticism and keep a friendship than lose a friend. Anyways, that's all my babble, if you read this much, you're awesome :) <3>

Note: This was a lot more coherent the first time I wrote it, because one, I was awake and two, the words were flowing freely. Unfortunately, blogger messed up and didnt save it so I had to rewrite and its midnight. Nonetheless, I think I maybe got my point across, I'll write more tomorrow cause I have a computer for the time being and its much easier to write. But I'm going to the beach tomorrow so I'm not sure. Anyways, I'm very tired, and I'll probably need to be up early tomorrow. So that's all for now. : )

Love

Reb <3