The Friend Zone

I am the mayor of the friend zone. No, scratch that. I am the President, wait...the QUEEN of the Friend Zone. I have been a resident for most of my life and all of my adult life. Always the friend, never anything more.

I've always been a sporty person, and it used to be a pain. I hated it growing up because I wasn't as girly as everyone else. I would much rather go play outside or play a sport than sit inside and play dress up or dolls with the girls. I was teased for wearing basketball shorts and shirts instead of skirts and dresses. All through high school it was a lot of the same, but it got better. I started to feel comfortable in my own skin...I talked to guys, but was never "that girl." But as stubborn as I am, I couldn't bring myself to change for anyone else, so I stayed true to myself.

Once I got to college I started to appreciate my sporty side more. Most of the guys I met loved that I knew about sports. A lot of them were surprised I knew as much as I did. They would have to double check stats I threw out at them because they didn't believe me and were left with looks of amazement on their faces when they saw I was right. They told me they loved that we could sit and watch a game. I was always known as "one of the guys" and I was perfectly content with that....it was great. I had a great group of friends and life was good, until I fell for one.

I had already gone so deep into the friend zone, that I had no chance of getting out. It has happened to me over and over again. I have tried being that cool girl. The one who's not needy, who his friends like to hang out, but I always end up in the friend zone and stay there. Fortunately, I have made some great friends in the process. I had to go through the pain and heartache first, but ended up with some lasting friendships after.

There are some definite pros and cons to being in the friend zone...and for better or for worse, it has become my home.