When my husband, our child, and I first pulled into our new home in our new neighborhood, we actually knew two people…
Our neighbor, who went to our church. Also, our realtor. other than that? Zip.
For the first few months, I wasn’t too worried about not having close friends around. My mother-in-law came twice a week to spend time with my daughter Ella. She will keep me updated on all the latest aspects of the family chisme. They also gave me space to talk about the ups and downs of being a new mom. As she pulled her Jeep out of the road and rolled down our dusty road, my heart and socialization tank felt full.
But as time passed, I found myself wishing I knew someone else around. Someone who was around to chat over a cup of coffee. Or you can come for a walk in our garden. Or it was free (and game) for us to stop by on the way home from the park.
I didn’t know I would find such a friendship with my 70-year-old neighbor, Jessie.
Jesse is over six feet tall, has freckles over his eyes, and wears a uniform of gray tank top, worn jeans, and work boots. He lives five houses down and is almost always doing something in his driveway. Our friendship began four years ago, when Ella and I were hiking. As we approached his house, we saw him fixing his lawn mower. We shook hands with him and immediately said “Hello!” – then repeated this over the next few weeks whenever we passed by. Then one day, when he saw us walking toward him, he quickly went inside his garage, then came back out with a box of fresh strawberries. “I thought the kid might like them,” he said.
One box of strawberries was all it took to transform this kind man from a neighbor to a friend our entire family adores. These days, Ella and Emiliano will yell “JCEEEE!!!” As soon as his house comes into view. They will run for hugs and unapologetically ask for Ritz crackers, which he buys in bulk at Costco, especially for them.
Over the years, Jesse and his wife Beverly have shown such generous ways to us many times. Like surprising us with a homemade strawberry tart, or handing our kids a restored red Radio Flyer wagon. They invite us into their home and tell stories of growing up in San Diego in the 60s and visiting their family in Mexico. They have watched our family grow from one sleeping baby to three busy kids – and they pamper them like their own grandchildren. And when our weekly walks are interrupted due to cold or busy schedules, without fail, Jessie calls us to check up.
One Christmas, Jessie surprises the kids with a homemade sled!
I’ve now made friends with moms at the park, parents from Ella’s preschool, and even friends of friends we met at get-togethers. Of course, I’m grateful for those relationships. But being Jessie’s friend reminds me that some of life’s warmest, longest-lasting friendships are made with the people we least expect.
Now, I would love to know what unexpected but valuable friendships you have made? Please share in the comments!
PS A fun conversation starter for people of all ages and how to make friends as an adult.
(Photo by Ryan Tuttle/Stocksy.)
