Jami Wants Your Opinion
Years ago, I had a friend who was one of those friends you are certain will be a friend for life. You've pictured her sharing in the life moments ahead - weddings, children, hard times, good times. You've already been there for each other through ups and downs on both sides and it's not one of those friendships that you can imagine fading.
Then, she hit a particularly tough patch. Nothing I'd wish on an enemy, and certainly not on a friend. I can't prove I did all I could, but I supported her in every way I could think of, and here's the interesting part - once she had come safely through the worst of it, she ditched me. Stopped returning calls, started cancelling plans at the last minute and never rescheduling. I took the message and let her slip away. Turns out this happened with several of the people who helped her through that time. I won't lie, I hurt over it. Mourned the loss. Questioned my actions, wondered about forcing the issue. But in the end, I said goodbye, I healed, I moved on.
Of course, these are the days of FaceBook. And today, her face and name popped up. We have mutual friends. FB thinks we should be friends. I wonder, have I been suggested to her and she's not interested? Maybe she remembers and is embarrassed about how things went - I would be. My instinct is to ignore the suggestion, confirm her as a friend if she adds me, but not go after her. Honestly, I'm vaguely curious as to what she's been up to, but it's not going to keep me up tonight.
So what do you think? Am I being petty not friending the one who de-friended me in real life? Or would it be sort of weird to reach out to someone who made it clear they weren't interested, even if that was going on a decade ago? Or am I nuts to even ponder this? It's just Facebook, Jami - who cares who you "friend"? Discuss.
Labels: Cynicism, Friends, Things I Wonder About
5 Comments:
At 12:14 AM, Jim McKee said…
I'm thinking pretty much the same as you... if she sends you an invite, accept... but otherwise, leave it alone. Because, she let **you** go... It might seem weird, and maybe even desperate, if you invite her.
My Word Verification word: nervague
(Kinda like you had your nerve, but only vaguely so... or maybe could be a Nirvana tribute band?)
(They have at least been interesting lately... other recent ones: unchun, tedsiss)
At 10:23 AM, Liz said…
I had that friend. Exactly that friend. And I friended her on FB. And she accepted, and I see her posts occasionally. We don't chat. But I wanted to know how she was, because she had been so important to me. I'd be lying if I said I don't miss her, but I don't want to be her BFF anymore, either. It's been ten years. Crazy, huh?
At 1:25 PM, M said…
Had to comment on this one. I say, let her go. My reason: FB keeps recommending over and over again that I add the ex-husband as one of my friends because we have mutual friends. Every time he pops up as one of the suggestions I get scared for a second thinking that he's sent me a friend request and wondering, "Why the heck would he do that?!?" Then I realize it's just the dumb FB computer spitting out a recommendation. Just because FB recommends a friend doesn't mean you have to add them.
At 4:48 PM, Jami said…
Jim - that's exactly what I thought, it seems sadly desperate.
EDW - through mutual friends, I've been told where she is, her marital status, about her job. So my curiousity is mostly satisfied.
M - I thought of you telling me that when she popped up. Not quite the emotional investment of an ex, but still not something I need to check out.
At 9:04 PM, Paperback Writer said…
Ignore, ignore, ignore.
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