Forcing Friendship

I have been thinking a lot about whether or not I should bother putting so much emphasis on having some real friends in my new hometown. I have joined some local groups (church, museum) and am trying to make more connections with people at work. I am just not clicking with anyone. I feel adrift. Tonight my husband and I are going to a dinner where about 30 or so other couples will be - all in their 30s and early 40s - like us. Most of them have kids, we do not. That's not really a big deal to me AT ALL. I do get the impression that some of them care, however (it's a monthly dinner and we went last month). We're giving it another whirl, though. Maybe this time we'll get to have some good discussions and get to know people better. Part of the issue is my husband is not very good in social environments. He sticks to my side. I don't mind it at all, but I feel like some of the women don't talk to me as much as they would if he wasn't standing next to me all the time. The guys all get together and talk about things he isn't "interested in" (sports, 9-5 jobs, etc etc). Well... I better get crackin' ... I have to make some of my bunuelo chips and my mozarella/basil/tomato salad. My standards for potlucking...