One thing that has been interesting as a married couple is going on double dates with other couples, and inviting them over. When Sammy and I were first married and started going to our new ward, there were no young couples without kids there. So, we didn't hang out much with anyone. Then, a young couple moved in and they literally lived across the street from us. Sammy and I quickly invited them over for dinner, excited to make friends.
That was an, interesting to say the least, night. When I texted a few days before asking if there was anything they were allergic to, they informed me that they didn't eat red meat, gluten, dairy, or certain nuts. I sat there staring at the phone for a bit, wondering what the heck in the world I could make. It took a lot of research and questions back and forth with the wife before I settled on chicken, salad, and guacamole. I had to buy a new salad dressing though because all of mine had dairy in them. Dinner was okay, and afterwards we decided to play a game. It was a game Sammy and I had been gifted but never played before. That was a bad idea. That game was filled with uncomfortable dares that we had to do in front of these people we barely knew. I kept getting the dares while they kept getting easy cards. It was very uncomfortable, and is probably meant for when people are a little tipsy.
After that first night, the couple invited us over all. the. time. They would only ever text me though to set it up. I'd have to text Sammy and ask him if he wanted to go over. It was always a resounding no. He just didn't click with them. I could stumble through small talk, but that was about it. I hung out with just the wife once, but that was it. From that couple, I learned you have to at least have something in common, and both parties have to feel comfortable with each other. We did not.
We have a few couple friends that have kids. We LOVE hanging out with them though. They're both very fun, and a few years older than us, so they always have the best advice. Their kids absolutely adore Sammy which is usually great because then I can talk with the wives while they play. The only thing that stinks about having couple friends with kids is that I always feel bad since we usually meet at their house. It's just easier. They don't have to get a babysitter, they can put kids to bed and such, and we can keep hanging out. I want to reciprocate and invite them over to our apartment, but then they couldn't bring their kids and so on. We're still figuring that out, but we really value all of their friendships.
Whenever we try and hang out with couples that Sammy knows from work, it gets a little interesting. He's already very close with his co-worker. I'm coming in fresh to meeting this girl. I like meeting couples like this one on one rather than with multiple couples. I'm a little shy at times, and when there's multiple girls, it sometimes gets awkward and I just sit there quietly. With our friends pictured above, I really liked when we met with each couple individually so I was able to get to know them better. Then, hanging out all together was much more fun!
We recently met our perfect couple. They both share the EXACT same interests as Sammy and I. It's been fantastic. Finding couple friends to hang out with is honestly like dating. You search and search and then you find the one.
I'm so grateful for our various couple friends. Since I don't get to see Sammy as much as before, it's nice to hang out with friends and have him there as well. I've also gotten to meet people I wouldn't have met before.
Andy and I are looking for couple friends as well. The problem is in the military culture, the majority of couples have kids EARLY or are 18 year old privates (a Sergeant hanging out with a Private is frowned upon.) I really want at least a few newlywed, no-kids couples to hang out with because when you have kids, you can't do things like double date out on the town without hiring a baby sitter.
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