Won't you be my Neighbor?

For the past 2 weeks, I’ve been spending time with my neighbor. After I said I wanted my apartment, the landlord immediately informed me that “the gentleman in the back apartment is about your age, has a high paying job at the shipyard, and is very good looking.” Thank you landlord.

Once I saw my Neighbor from afar and thought, “he is cute.” Well after never seeing one another, I arrived home from a trip 3 weeks ago and found a note from Neighbor with my mail. It was a cute little letter, basically asking me to give him a call whenever I was going to be around so we could grab a drink or a bite to eat, to at least know what one another looks like. The letter was just so kind and I’ve been wanting to make a friend, so I called him and the rest is history.

We’ve since dined, gone out for a drink, wandered around Barnes & Nobles together, hungout with his friends, and shared many a conversation and even had little heart-to-hearts. For some reason, I’m just completely comfortable around him and he’s so laid back, I can tell it’s mutual. I can tease him, but also be dorky and open and honest with him. He just takes it all in stride. I think my favorite part about him is that I’m not attracted to him. It certainly makes for an easier time since the whole potential-relationship-thing is not a pressure. I guess for us, this guy and girl can be friends, without the sex thing getting in the way.

And so, dear reader, I thought I would share a few of the things I like most about Neighbor.

1. He also has a sensitive sniffer. Usually I’m the odd one in my various circles. The girl who can pick a random smell out of the air (that no one else can smell), and pinpoint what that particular smell to amazing accuracy, that everyone else around just laughs but can be quite astounded. I’m glad to finally meet someone with this same ability, it makes for some interesting conversation:
Neighbor: (while sniffing the air) “It smells like wok in here”
City Mouse: (also sniffs air) “I don’t smell it”
N: “Well, don’t you know what a seasoned wok smells like?”
CM: “Yes, it smells like when you turn on the oven cleaner.”
N: “No it doesn’t. You would know the smell if you’ve ever seasoned a wok.”
CM: “Well, I’ve been around one that is being seasoned and think it smells like an oven that’s being cleaned.”
N: “Fine. We’ll leave it at that then.”
And I’d like to point out that when we were leaving the restaurant, I mentioned how it smelled like kerosene, which he promptly said no, it smells like gas stove. Sigh. I do love a good smell debate.

2. He’s got ‘good people.’ Last night I went out with his friends who are on his dodgeball team. I asked him what I should wear, who was going, what the bar was like, etc etc. Neighbor answered all of my questions patiently and when I mentioned that I get nervous in those types of situations, he told me not to worry. He said, “Knowing you – you’ll just find one person that you can chat with and you’ll end up chatting the whole night.” He was right. Neighbor also mentioned that if they weren’t “good people,” he wouldn’t have invited me. But he knew I’d like them since he and I get on so well. And of course, on our walk home, he looked at me and said, “See? What did I tell you? Good people.” We smiled at each other and just kept on walking.

3. He skis. I’m always looking for a ski buddy and after speaking about our various ski trips, Neighbor decided we’re just about the same ability and that we should hit the slopes together. Then last night, one of Neighbor’s friends mentioned going skiing as well, and we all agreed it would be fun. Just what I’m looking for.

4. He’s just so…kind. I could tell from Neighbor’s letter that he is kind, but that is more apparent the more we hangout. One of his friends told me last night that he and Neighbor had gone out for a drink last week and Neighbor mentioned me. He had told Friend that he wants to help me make some friends and get out more, so he was hoping I would come out this past weekend (which I did). I loved hearing that story and was glad that I chose to go out with all of them.

Neighbor has become a good friend already – which is exactly what the doctor ordered!