What! You Too?

My husband and I visited the Bodie Island Lighthouse during a recent anniversary getaway to the Outer Banks.

We visited during the off-season so the lighthouse wasn't open for touring. Sensing our disappointment, the clerk encouraged us to walk out to the lookout. "It's beautiful, what with all the wildlife and all. I have the best office view!"

My husband and I exchanged a glance, thanked her, and headed out to the wooden path.

There's something I should probably tell you about Scott and me. We do NOT like wildlife. In a cage? Sure. On TV? Absolutely! But not where it can jump out of the rushes and attack us.

I blame all of those scary movies I watched at a young age. Killers/psychos/zombies/monsters/toys/clowns/dangerous and/or rabid animals always attack in secluded locales, especially when the lighthouse shop was closing for the night. Everyone knows this.

We were on our guard as we walked out to the lookout. Admittedly, it was beautiful.

However, we couldn't fully enjoy it while jumping at the slightest sound and looking over our shoulders as we walked out and back. I breathed a sigh of relief not just when we were back in the car, but when we were back on the main road again--back in civilization.

"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: 'What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . .'" -- C.S. Lewis

I love that I'm not alone in my wariness of wildlife. I love that when we glanced at each other at the news of wildlife, we knew what the other was thinking: "Yikes."

Granted: we have been married for 18 years now so you may be thinking, "Of course you have similar likes and dislikes."

But so many of my friendships have started like this. At the gym, the woman next to me groans when the instructor announces, "It's time for burpees." Ugh, I hate those, too. Groaning woman is now my friend.

At a party I am trying to mingle so I ask, "What do you like to do for fun?" Another mom from school says, "I love to read!" Fellow book lover is now my friend.

At Target, the lady behind me starts to empty her cart onto the conveyor belt. I notice she has 5 bags of Dunkin' Donuts coffee. Coffee connoisseur and I may never speak to each other, but we are kindred spirits.

So if you're feeling lonely, keep your eyes open for your next friend. All it takes is a moment of "What! You too?"