Today I was texting with my Dad and he mentioned one of my guy friends mom's told him that I was coming home in April to fish with my buddy.
Now, that is partially true; I told my buddy if I was home and it worked out, we could fish crappies. On the other hand, things have changed and I've got to treat this friendship with extra care. You see, "Joe" got married this last year. A whole new twist: we can't just hang out like normal anymore. As cool and brother/sister relationship as we are, I'm a female and he's a male. Girls get jealous. I don't care who it is and how much trust is in a relationship. I must respect his new bride like I would want to be respected. If my new hubby was out fishing with one of his old gal pals, I'd be cautious too.
Gets down to "TREAT OTHERS THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED."
For the record, "Joe" and I have never gone there....nothing more than a great friendship. If we had dated, messed around, etc., then its a whole 'nother story. I haven't gotten to know his new bride a whole lot, in fact, I just met her at their wedding for the first time. She seems like a wonderful woman and well, of course she is, she's married to a great guy who I'm lucky enough to call a friend!
As easy as I wish it could be to just go out in the boat and fish, I have to remember to take that extra precaution now to give his wife the respect she deserves.
Lesson at the end of all this: When a friend of the opposite sex gets married, give their bride/groom the same respect you would appreciate. Think situations over and remember The Golden Rule.
It sucks sometimes because it's innocent but go the extra mile. They'll appreciate it.
Morals, Values, Character.
