The Friend

January 18th, 2008

Ahhhh yes, the classic tale of he who does not wish to date you. This would be that guy, the one who you just know is perfect for you. He’s attractive, and funny, and you share interests. You hang out together and have a great time. He probably has all kinds of other qualities that you have searched high and low for in other men to no avail. And once, just once, you reached a juncture in your relationship where you thought you were going to be dating and living the dream. And then it happened. For whatever reason he told you he just wants to be your friend.

Of course, I have one of these. First it was that he didn’t want to date “right now”. Then it was that he is the eternal bachelor. Now it’s that his work takes up too much time. Never fear though gentle readers, I gave up the dating effort after the first reason (“not dating right now” for those of you following along at home). And he moved firmly into friend territory. A fact I actively lament after each fresh date with someone else gone horribly wrong.

These days I accept that he is just my friend. Okay, I kind of accept that he is just my friend. Okay okay, I really like hanging out with him and he helps keep me sane so I try to convince myself that just friends is a-okay in hopes that eventually I will completely let go of these not-so-friendly thoughts about him. The bad news is that I keep imagining that he is sending me not-so-friendly signals when we talk. Which maybe he is. Or maybe I am just thinking he should be. Maybe I just really don’t know anything.

But you see, I have this great friend. Ugh. I’ll get better at saying that. Maybe. (Like as soon as he starts dating me.)