A Date!

[lls_mutant]

Well, not really. So why does it feel like it?



There's this couple in our neighborhood that Howard and I met a few years ago at a party. We hit it off with them immediately, and we liked both the husband and wife. A LOT. Like, I could see where these two could be truly good friends of ours. However, we were both DINK couples at the time, with busy schedules and jobs and all that. So we never really hooked up.

Now, two years later, we both have kids. Their son is a bit older than ours (I think about 7 months?), but that's not that big a deal. The wife stays home part time. She and I have been meaning to hook up a playdate, but we both kept forgetting because we have a pair of toddlers running around. A week ago I was cleaning out my mailbox and found an old group email she sent when she was looking for child care, and got off my butt and emailed her. She called back almost immediately (in Mommy time), and we arranged a playdate for today.

I'm excited. Like I said, I REALLY like this girl so far. I think she likes me. Our husbands like each other. We like each other's husbands, and vice versa.

It sounds like I'm talking about swinging, doesn't it? But I'm not. It's just... well, when you're raising a child you suddenly care, especially when the couple in question has a child the same age. Before, it didn't matter if I didn't like my girlfriends' husbands or boyfriends, or my guy friends' girlfriends or wives (well, that one mattered a little more). But now, it does, because Dad affects my son's playmate as much as Mom does. And it would be nice to have couple friends that we can have dinner or bbqs or stuff with.

So they're coming over, and I'm actually nervous. Nervous because I know that her standards are probably different now that she's a mother, too. There will be a part of her mind that's saying, "Do I like how she's raising her child? Are our philosophies compatible? Is her kid going to be a spoiled brat who is a bad influence on my son? Is my son going to get food poisoning if he eats over here?" I mean, sure, I'm asking the same questions, but it's funny. It IS like a cross between a job interview and a date and a social visit.

Now, realistically, I'm not worried. I've been in enough houses in this development to know that their place is clean (actually, they're coming over here because they have someone clean every two weeks, and today's the day), and given how fast we hit it off, I suspect our values are very compatible. I just find it kind of funny how my evaluation of friends has changed over the years, especially after having Toby. And that I'm going to clean in preparation for their visit, and I put thought into what I wore this morning.

I don't get this keyed up normally. I think it's because my other two mommy friends around here I met while walking, and we'd walk together a lot before we got into the playdate phase. But it's brutally cold out and none of us are interested in taking toddlers out for long walks right now, so we're skipping that phase and going straight into the next one.

And plus, life as a stay-at-home mom can be boring. You have to create some drama for your own entertainment! :)

Comments

[topaz-eyes.livejournal.com]

Definitely nice for Toby to have a playmate. And for you to have an ally. :-)

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Yeah, allies are good :) We've been getting groups together, but especially in the winter, more is better. It's so hard to get out of the house without spending money- it's too cold to go for walks or play outside. The more playmates the better! :)

[minnow-53.livejournal.com]

Is my son going to get food poisoning if he eats over here?

Ah! *light bulb* Now I know why nobody'll ever come for a sleepover...

I hope it's all worked out well for you and Toby. :)

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Heh, thanks! Actually, they never made it over. The mom got called in for an unexpected conference call that morning for her job, and was drained by the afternoon. She just wanted to relax as best she could. Can't say I blame her! Hopefully we'll reschedule for next week.

At least my floor got mopped!

[marilla82.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad to hear (er, read?) that you're making a new mommy friend and in return, getting friends for the whole family. It'll be fantastic to have someone whom you can share common interests and fun times. But, you know that already.

I'm sure all will be well and the whole family will love you, Howard, and Toby. How can they not?

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Aww, thanks! :)

[krisomniac.livejournal.com]

heh. That's kinda interesting. Makes sense, though. I actually end up introducing my parents to my friends' parents whom they socialize with more than their own friends.

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

I like your icon. :)

Yeah, it's the kind of thing that you don't often think about, but it definitely happens. I remember that my best friend's parents (when I was young) were often my parents' best friends. It's definitely a bonding thing-slash-icebreaker!