Middle School Dating

Remember in middle school when someone liked someone else, and all their friends tried to push the couple together?

Here's a little ancedote.
Fifth grade: my best guy friend Tommy^ and one of my best girl friends, Gina^, liked each other. I, naturally as a born romantic, asissted in getting them together. Gina sometimes came over to my house so Tommy (who lived next door) could come hang out with us. They were cute. They dated on and off until 9th grade. Now sadly I can tell you they didn't stay together forever. But they did remian friends in high school. Gina is actually getting married to another guy.

Now flash forward to your twenties.
Here's the shocker. NOTHING has changed. Dating is like middle school all over again. There's still the endless messages and endless analyzing of those messages with your friends, although its gone from ims to ims and texts now. Plus since the invention of Facebook and Twitter and all those other social networking things, you can now torture yourself with analyzing wall posts, status updates, and messages from another girl who may or not be "just a friend."

Then comes the in-person meetings.
It starts with a group event. It's always a group event. You orchestrate a whole big thing, forcing friends to come "in case it gets awkward" and so you can show off your breezy personality in a warm and supportive setting. Then your friends (who are all in on it) decide to take the situation into the own heands with one mission- get you two together. It's the subtleties- "Oh Gina likes dogs too. You two should discuss dogs (wink)." Then it moves to "Why don't you sit next to Tommy, I need to sit on the small single chair because my back hurts." But you appreciate it, love it, and are relieved that now you're sitting next to the person of your affections.

Now sadly I can tell you Gina and Tommy didn't stay together forever. But they did remain friends in high school. Gina is actually getting married to another guy soon.

^Names have been changed.