Everybody Needs a Wingman
It's no secret that I'm socially awkward. I am able to fake my way through many situations, but if left to my own devices, I'm hiding in a corner in the back of the room. I'll be sure to curl up in a ball and avoid all eye contact while I'm at it because people. People are yuck.
I came by my social awkwardness the honest way, so I've had lots and lots of years to figure this whole thing out. There are ways I could continue to get better at faking my way through group interactions and conversations with strangers, but HOOBOY have I improved over the years. Slowly, but surely.
The good news about recognizing that particular weakness is that I know I need to cover for it a bit and guide the girls in a better direction. Alexis is already approximately 1349290383205% better at crowds of people, making friends, new situations, and all of the other things in life. Basically, she's a social genius while I'm a rock. I sit there. I'm not even cute when I sit there. I just sit. (Unless she's watching. In that case, I put on my I Can Do This Face and force myself to act like a normal human being. BUT I HATE EVERY SECOND OF IT. Ahem.)
So ... there's this thing. There's this thing where travelling with a baby in tow is basically an invitation for people to talk to you. I adore Miss Mila with all my might, but when strangers come up and talk to me about her, I want to hide.
So I do.
I hide behind my own kid. I busy myself with keeping Mila entertained and happy and OH LOOK! THE BABY GIGGLES! Let's all laugh with her and go on our merry way, PLEASE? Go away? PLEASE GO AWAY STRANGERS.
Hi. I'm not kidding when I say I'm socially awkward.
ANYWAY.
Alexis takes a very different path when she's surrounded by new people and there happens to be a Mila nearby. You guys, Alexis uses Mila as her wingman. I'm not even kidding -- Alexis will pick up Mila, walk around carrying her and smiling until someone asks "is that your sister?" or something like that and BOOM. Suddenly Alexis has a new best friend. She collects best friends like some people collect shot glasses. She has rows and rows and rows of them, yet she cherishes each and every one of them.
How long do we think Alexis is going to be able to use her little sister as her wingman? I suspect this might just be a lifelong thing.
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Reader Comments (3)
Good choice, Alexis!
And fwiw, you're an awesome introvert. Love your line about people being yuck. I get creepy crawly any time I am out of the house now because everyone wants to see, touch, and talk to the babies. This too shall pass...
Been wanting to say that I admire the way you acknowledge the ways your past has affected you and then figure out how "now" can be different. I figure it's not always easy; keep at it! :)
Yep, if that cutie were mine, I would use her to the fullest! ;) But I'm an extrovert through and through so... Glad Alexis will always have her "wingman".