Friends

[mcan]

Here's the story. I have a couple of friends that I've known since junior high. Both are true friends, and I believe that I'll never lose touch with them.

I hadn't talked with my friend Mike in a long time, but the other night I went over to his place with Angela (most of you know her). It was the first time I'd seen his new place. He lives there with his fiance. While we were over there, Mike told me he was getting really frustrated with our mutual friend Joe. Mikes upset because Joe "never" calls him back unless he is asking for a favor. Mike's a mechanic, so Joe sometimes asks him if he can do some minor work to his car, or to help him move or something. Joe, on the other hand, just got engaged himself and now has a new place with his fiance by the Plaza, and has a morning job. He's also doing a lot of local theatre. So, they are both really busy. Mike works in excess of 60 hours a week, and Joe has like three things going all the time.

So, yesterday I call Joe up (and leave a message) basically giving him a heads up that Mike is upset and that he might want to call Mike and maybe get some dinner or whatever and talk it out.

Today, I get a message from Joe on my phone. Basically, it was a 'thanks for the heads up... I don't know what Mike's problem is... I've called him twice since he's called me... Now he's got you calling me like his Mom... I'm having a party on Saturday...'

My question to the board is: How hard do you guys work on your friendships when everybody is really busy? How often do you meet up with your same sex friends? How important are your friendships and relationships outside of your wife, girlfriend, family? How often do most people run into these kinds of issues, and how hard do you work to resolve them?

Sorry for the long post. But, since these guys are my oldest friends, it got me wondering...