I had the most awkward encounter last week. If you’re wondering, I was the creeper.

Girl: (Making eyes at Waverley.)

Me: Oh! She likes babies. She’s really pretty. Too pretty. What is she doing in Alaska??

Girl: Your baby is beautiful. What is her name?

Me: Thank you! Her name is Waverley! (Practically screaming.)

Girl: Oh what a beautiful name.

Me: Thank you! (Awkward silence.)

Me: …

Me: PS, your hair is *so* gorgeous!

Girl: Thank you so much. I just curled it today.

Me: (Subconsciously feeling my slicked-back bun, we were at the gym after all.)

And that was that. We went our separate ways except a weird glance as I was cursing at my iPad for not downloading The Good Wife in time for my workout.

Making new friends as an adult is hard. It grows progressively more difficult as we get older given the additional factors coming into play. When you’re single, it’s just you and one other person that have to click to make the friendship more forward. Then, significant others join the party and the number of relationships that need to work in the group exponentially increase. Then, babies and kids throw everything off! Are the babies roughly the same age? Are naps taken around the same time? Are you a working parent or do you stay-at-home? Making plans can take weeks with everyone’s busy schedules. It’s an entirely new world of momma’s groups, playdates, and a seemingly completely different culture to navigate. You should have seen me when I took Waverley to her first group playdate: I imagine I exhibited a look of shear horror with wide eyes filled with a bit of despair while watching the 3-4 year-olds go ape crazy.

I’ve been fortunate to make great friends throughout each stage of my life thus far. I met one of my best friends in the world when we moved to Maryland yet this latest venture to Alaska has proved more difficult. Is it having a baby? Not working outside of the home yet? An indifference towards waders? Hmm. Contemplation.

Have you ever been in a similar situation? What did you do to establish a circle of pals?