Talking to Strangers

I guess by now that you know that I'm an introvert. And I'm pretty sure you're empathetic enough and have enough social awareness to know that that just means I need to recharge sometimes, not that I don't like being around people. True, I can be shy when the stakes are high. And I guess the fact that I don't really open up to people until I'm comfortable with them makes me a bit reserved.

But I love people, and I love to chat. Sure, I rarely initiate, but if the service manager at the auto shop asks me about the clay mug I'm drinking my coffee from, well, then I'm gonna start chatting with him.

And, honestly, getting drawn into conversations with people I wouldn't ever talk to on my own is on the very long list of things I look forward to in our future relationship. On my own, I would probably never go and introduce myself to the band after a show, but in truth I would love to, so the fact that you would and do…

Gosh, that is incredibly attractive to me.

Also, side note: you have, since the day we met, had a remarkable (and thus far in my life, unique) ability to recharge me on-the-go. I haven't ever run out of social energy when you've been around. I used this analogy for a very different kind of thing a few months ago (…ahem…), but you're like a portable charger for me, always somehow keeping my energy topped off, with no special effort on your part. It's… amazing, like the rest of you. But I digress…

All of this is to say, there was one of those videos I usually scroll past on FB the other day… I mean, I don't need to know the ten signs a woman is attracted to you or whatever… the way your eyes burn into mine sometimes tells the whole entire story. But, this one was different: 7 signs an introvert likes you. Well. I already know the things you do that let me know that you like me, but what about you? What signals am I giving off? Anyways, it sparked my curiosity, but I really didn't want to feed the algorithm, so I searched for it in an incognito tab and found the same video on youtube. So… what are those signs? And am I doing them? Hmmm… let's find out…

1. They make an effort to spend one on one time with you. Well. This one is difficult. I would absolutely do this, but it's hard, as I know you know. But the rare times we have had to ourselves, I will forever treasure and cherish. The video does call out taking walks together, or inviting you to coffee, both of which are things I've even written about here… so, yeah, I haven't really done this but I want to so, so badly… anyways, onwards…
2. They open up about personal things. Yeah, I don't know if you've caught on to this yet, but I am an open book to you. I don't always volunteer things of my own accord (though, sometimes I do…), but I would answer any question you ever ask. Seriously, anything. I imagine you could even break down all of the walls between us in seconds with just the right question, if you wanted to… There is truly no one else in this world that I feel safer opening up to than you.
3. They initiate contact, even if it's subtle. Hey! I got this one! Not every day, but more and more often as time goes on. I imagine I'm not the only person you send random stuff to on Facebook (though, I also imagine the ones for me are more meaningful than anything you send others… probably?), but you are the only person I send stuff to. Lucky you, eh?
4. They remember the little things you say. Pretty sure I've got this one, too, though I guess I'd have to ask you whether I demonstrate it enough or not. I mean, look… my memory is… wishy-washy sometimes, but there seems to be a compartment set aside somewhere in my brain for my interactions with you, even the ones from long before I fell completely in love with you (we never did get together to play Scene It?, btw… though more recently, we have had some excellent game nights!). Anyways, if you said it, there's a pretty good chance Mr. Cool Cap remembers it. But, gosh, just wish I could remember whether it was Hot Tamales you said you like, or Red Hots………
5. They let you see their quiet side. Well, like the one-on-one time, this one is sort of situational and difficult for us to achieve at the moment. But, just as I'm looking forward to chatting with you endlessly, I also just cannot wait for just… like… companionship time. Sitting quietly by the campfire together. Snuggled on the couch reading books. Watching the waves roll in. Any time spent with you is magical, to me.
6. They subtly include you in their inner circle. Um. Well. Truth is, I don't have an inner circle, at least not locally. Or, I didn't anyways, not until the past couple of years… but it was more that I've started getting drawn into yours than the other way around. But, look… if somehow we had all met each other in my hometown, and I still hung out with all my old high school buddies, then I absolutely, 100% would have brought you around to spend time with them. And they would adore you, I'm sure of it.
7. They're patient and supportive of your needs. Patient, yes. Lol. I'm pretty sure I have infinite patience when it comes to you. And I guess this is another one we'd have to ask you about, but I absolutely do try to be supportive. All I want to do is support you, in whatever way you need at any given time. I want to be reliable for you, be your rock. I just want to always be there for you… and I am, even if our situation makes it awkward, or difficult sometimes.

My gosh, this went on far longer than I intended, lol. And, after doing a deep dive into it, I'm pretty sure these are all just signs that anyone likes you, introvert or otherwise. After all, you do all of these things for me, and while I could be wrong, I'm pretty sure you're an extrovert*. But, maybe it's a matter of relative significance… or maybe it's all pop-psych garbage in a poorly-produced, probably-AI-generated video. 🤷‍♂️

Still, I thought it was an interesting thought exercise. Then again, one of my favorite recent FB group finds is the Dull Men's Club… but, hey, you've sent me posts from that group before, so………

Anyhow. Babe, I love you. Sorry, this was a long read. What can I say? Work is slow this morning.

Hope you have a day that's as beautiful as you are!

Yours.

* I don't think I ever posted it here, but I wrote something — an essay, really, lol — about how I think you're likely an ENFJ. I still think so, even after getting so much closer to you over the past year, though I do allow that I may be wrong. And I promise I don't only think so because ENFJ and INFP are supposed to be remarkably compatible. Not to mention make for incredible lovers… ahem.

Edit: rethought the opening… Negativity never does sit right with me…