The solution? Turning to man's best friend

I know I’ve been talking a lot recently about how my life here in Denver is post-grad, so I’m just going to continue on that train. 

 

I’m still trying to make friends, in case anyone is curious. As time rolls on, I realize it’s not just me. I’ve been trying to keep in touch with those that I graduated with and see what adventures they are up to. I have a few friends who also moved to a new state by themselves and are struggling to make new connections. I guess it’s something about being alone in a new city, post-grad, in your twenties; it seems they all combine to complicate forming relationships. 

 

I joined a Facebook group shortly after I moved here that was meant to connect young women who had just moved to Denver looking to make friends. I had connected with a few people, but only ended up meeting in person with one girl, whose name is Emily. I’ve spent a few hours with Emily a few times since, but every time is hit or miss I believe. From Texas, Emily moved here to be a nanny and be closer to some relatives. She is super nice, but sometimes when we hang out, we struggle to come up with conversation and often end up sitting or walking in silence as we both try to think of the next thing to say. We have quite a bit in common, so it baffles me that conversation can be this hard. Honestly, if Emily were a man, I probably would’ve ended the relationship by now due to the lack of spark. But she’s not, and it’s still nice to hang out with someone. 

 

I’ve been so busy recently between work and other things that it hasn’t been something that I’ve been stressing about. Every once in a while, like on a Friday or Saturday night, when I’m in my pajamas watching television instead of going out, I will get sad that I don’t have any friends to spend time with. Luckily, Jack invites me every once in a while to hang out with his friends, but only when their girlfriends are also present. 

 

For example, I went to my first CU Buffalo football game on Saturday in Boulder, and I was only invited because other girlfriends were going to be there. Thankfully, it doesn’t bother me. I like spending time with him (obviously) and I like his friends’ girlfriends. Hopefully, as I continue to hang out more with them, we can start actually mingling without the boys. 

But until then, I have decided to turn to a different solution: man’s best friend. Jack and I have signed up for and are going to a fostering orientation so that we can start the process and application of becoming foster parents for dogs. I’m excited.

 

In Denver, and in Colorado in general, there are dogs everywhere. While it’s great to see a dog every time I go out, it also brings home the point that I miss the three adorable puppies I left in Minnesota. Nothing rivals coming home to a pet who loves you unconditionally. 

 

My Determination: “Such short little lives our pets have to spend with us, and they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day. It is amazing how much love and laughter they bring into our lives and even how much closer we become with each other because of them.” ― John Grogan, “Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World’s Worst Dog”