You go on blind dates to meet guys; I go on blind dates to make friends.

When I was a kid, I was a total ham. In between courses at the now defunct Papagallo (any old school Miami people out there?) I would stand next to the piano player and belt out "Unforgettable". My grandparents would clap and encourage encores, and my parents would just shrug and laugh.

When I was a teenager, I was shy and standoffish. Others assumed the worst of me because I let them. I didn't like meeting new people and never felt like I could be myself.

Now that I've lived in New York for two and a half years, I am no longer the timid and meek girl I once was. I've never been as comfortable in my skin as I am now. I have become a people person. I love to network. I've really surprised myself in the best way possible.

Since moving to NYC, I've been on more blind dates than I care to mention. But here are two I DO want to mention, even though they aren't exactly "dates"...


Preppy in the City and I had been following and commenting on one another's blogs for some time when I suggested that we grab a drink sometime. I figured, why not? We already knew we had a ton in common. Much to my delight, she agreed. We met at PJ Clarke's for vodka sodas and the rest is history. She's my best BBM friend; we talk almost every day. If I sound off on JGIWC or tweet that I'm sad/stressed/what have you, she is ALWAYS the first one to ask if I'm okay or what she can do to help.

I learned how to use the "blur" feature just for you. I love ya Muffin!


Miss Mal and I have been Tweeting at one another for months. We decided to have a coffee date in Grand Central Station. She suggested that we meet under the big clock - that "it would be just like a movie" and I knew in that instant that I would adore her. I was right! We're so alike (both sorority and Junior League overachievers) and I had the best time with her.

The moral of the story is that if you're like me and generally poo-poo blind dates, don't rule out this method to meet friends! I haven't made a dime off JGIWC but the friendships I've gained are absolutely priceless.