Making new friends is never an easy task. At least it’s never been for me.
I’m not talking about building relationships and getting to know others. I’m talking about finding people who truly “get” me, and whom I can really trust.
For most of my life, I’ve played my cards close to my chest. It takes time for me to get to know people and understand what makes them tick. Part of this is my introvert nature. But part of it is also my personality and tendency to “go it alone, ” or navigate what life hands me by myself. It’s easy for me to be alone. It’s harder work to be outgoing and open myself up to deeper relationships with people.
Last week, I received a text from Heather, a friend I met just briefly at one of the first Terre Haute community events we attended (just two weeks after moving to town). After that initial meeting, Heather and I started following each other on Instagram and later Facebook, and I found we had a lot in common. In her text last week, she wrote, “Are you free Saturday night, can you bake 100 cookies and do you want to meet some fun women?”
I was touched at Heather’s thoughtfulness and was excited at the prospect of hanging out with her and other nice people. Throw that in with my love for all-things holiday baking and cookie exchanges, and I was in!
So I took to the kitchen and baked 100 white chocolate, cherry and macadamia nut chunk cookies. And off we went to her friend’s holiday party where — as she promised — I met some very nice people, enjoyed great conversation, and walked away with a tray full of delicious cookies!
Making new friends is an intimidating process for me, especially at 41-years-old, in a new town, and so many close friendships have already been formed. That was one of the hardest parts of moving from San Diego — leaving my wonderful tribe of friends I worked long and hard to build.
But I’m starting to find people here in Terre Haute that I have more in common with than not, and so many of them have been extremely welcoming to me. Sometimes it takes something as small as cookies to be the lead in to spending time with a new friend. And for that, this introvert heart is grateful.
If you’re now in the mood for cookies or want to bake something to show a friend some appreciation, here’s my full list of holiday cookies for your baking enjoyment.