This is going to sound strange, but I talk to my current work friends more than anyone else these days. The strange part? We have never met in person. We talk, email, text and FaceTime, but have never been together in person. These two ladies are a huge part of my support system. We have an open group where we can talk about anything – work, life, love, health – you name it and we have discussed it. We are all so different, and we are all fiercely strong women with big attitudes, yet we all get along even if we do not agree on everything.
These are the people that get it when I can’t work for one more minute that day, support me when I decide to start writing a blog, and even force me to call the doctor. Friends can come in all shapes and sizes, the three of us could be the poster pic for that saying. We hold each other accountable, we push each other to be better, but also make sure we are taking the time to take care of ourselves – physically and mentally. You hear people talking or posting about how as women we need to support each other more – that is what these ladies do!
They are equally creative as well. One is a baker at heart. You should see the Frozen themed Elsa cookies and cake she made for her niece – the pictures with the perfect frosting and matching sprinkles made my mouth water! The other is a visual. A visual? This is what I call someone that has multiple creative outlets, but each of these outlets creates a beautiful picture. She creates videos, costumes, make-up, gifts (bags/glasses/all the things), and graphic designs. We each have our own separate lives, that we know the high level on, and we can go a couple of days without a text, but no matter what these two ladies have been in my corner since day one.
Work friends are an important part of life. We spend the majority of our days with Work friends. This means that when you change jobs that unless these work friends transition into another group, we usually lose touch with them. I can tell you there are previous work friends that I miss all of the time and wonder how they are, outside of the random social media posts. I also have work friends that crossed into another group and we keep in touch, even when one lives in a different country every few years!
Covid and remote working have changed our interactions with work friends, at least they did for me. I am full time work from home, therefore my “office mates” are my 4 dogs and occasionally the husband if he is sick or has to work from home as well. I do miss lunch/grocery shopping dates and the inside jokes that come with in person office interactions, but I do not miss having to get ready every day. I am thankful that despite working from home, and that starting a new job in the middle of a pandemic didn’t hinder getting new work friends.
My husband is different. His work friends are his adult friends as well. He met most when he moved to Birmingham and they clicked. Honestly? They are a great group of people and I understand why they all transcend the work friend group. they spend 50+ hours a week together at work, they are lucky they get along so well (most of the time). Despite all that time? They still choose to spend time together outside of work as well – golfing, fishing, hunting, weddings, lake – all the time! I am thankful for his work friends because some have become my friends as well!!
This is Part 3 of TBD on Adult Friendships. Part 2: https://emmaswarmestregards.com/2022/01/08/friendship-takes-work-finding-friends-nurturing-friendships-scheduling-face-time-it-all-take-a-tremendous-amount-of-work-but-its-worth-it-if-you-put-in-the-effort-you/
Warmest Regards, Emma 