Am I creepy?
Sometimes I wonder.
I understand I can be quirky and a bit strange. For people who don’t know me, that may translate to creepy. I sincerely hope not, but I wonder.
It’s coincidental and ironic that right about a year ago, I wrote a facebook message to someone I barely knew and asked him if he wanted to be my friend. And it worked out. Friends we became. We played games and ate dinner and watched movies together. We had fun together. [At least I thought we did. We’re not quite friends anymore so decipher what you will. It makes me sad. I miss him. But that’s another story for another day. Or never. I probably scared him with my creepiness.]
It’s coincidental and ironic because I did it again. I wrote an email last night to someone I have only briefly met once and, essentially, asked him to be my friend. I really, really hope I didn’t creep him out. I just casually mentioned that I know what it’s like to be a new pastor in a small town [yep.] and if he ever wanted to play Scrabble or talk to someone who wasn’t a member of his congregation [it’s sometimes nice.] that he should let me know. It was both me offering to be a friend to him and me really hoping he will be my friend. I could really use a friend who wants to play a board game on a random night or talk about church stuff. Or go see the last Harry Potter movie. [I’m Harry Potter friend-less.] It would be swell.
But good news – if I did creep him out, all he needs to do is not respond and I don’t think we’ll ever really see each other again. No harm, no regrets, and I tried. [Unless he approaches my grandma at church and tells her what a creepy granddaughter she has. But I don’t think he’d do that. Or unless he comes to my ordination as a local clergy person. He might do that.]
there's no place like gnome. 
[you should presume people's silence to your question is agreement. yes. you are creepy.][..okay… i don't think you're creepy. but then again, i should tell you about the note I sent someone today. i am a total weirdo.]
Don't feel creepy! I've done this too, reached out to someone as potential-friend. And sometimes they are receptive, and most of the time not. I think it is awkward territory in our 20-something stage…you no longer have those planned college activities to bring people together, you have to rely on chance encounters, or brave invitations in your case. And a lot of people just like to hang on to what they already know. (Case in point, exactly what has made it hard for us to find friends in Dawson. We will always feel new in town, not having grown up here.) And how could a girl who makes gnome-theme burp rags be creepy? (love them, by the way!)