I hate to admit it, but I get nervous when one of my close friends has a positive life change. Of course I am thrilled for them as they enter a relationship, get married, or have babies. But there is also a piece of me that questions, “Do you still care about me, even though our lives look very different now?”

I have heard the dreaded words so many times (well…before COVID). I walk into a restaurant and approach the welcoming host with a smile on my face. I glance at his gold name tag saying “Parker” and ask, “Can I have a table?” Parker looks to see if any straggler companions of mine are coming through the door, sees no one, and then asks the terrifying question:

Do you hate being asked about your dating life by coworkers, relatives, or other random onlookers? If so, I have a solution for you, and it may surprise you what that solution is :)