I Before E, Except After C

I was having a conversation with a friend of mine last night...a conversation that I've actually had with many of my friends who've known me for years and years, and it got me thinking.

We were talking about my job and I said I thought it was ideal because I really prefer working alone. I mentioned that I am an introvert and she started laughing.

Mind you, this friend knows another side of me. A side people rarely see anymore. I used to be a party girl, and by party girl I mean that I had to be wherever there was a party.

I remember that as a kid, I didn't mind playing by myself. I wanted to be an only child and was pissed when my mom decided to have more children. I had my two imaginary friends, Kimmie and Joey, and that was enough for me. So, innately, I guess I was an introvert.

When I got into middle school, I became a social butterfly. I couldn't stand spending a weekend home with my family, so I was hardly ever there. I'd alternate between my friends, Debbie, Lisa, Dana, and whoever else had cool parents who would let me stay from Friday night until Sunday afternoon. And when I wasn't with my friends, I was on the phone with them.

This continued through high school (though I didn't mind staying home as much in high school -- I was the only one who didn't have a curfew so most everyone would stay at my house). Especially once I discovered parties in 9th grade. If there was something going on, I had to be there - I'd even leave an outgoing message on my answering machine letting everyone know exactly where I would be and at what time, to be sure my friends could find me (remember, this was pre-cell phone).

In college, I was no different. Right after I graduated, I took the MBTI and it indicated that I was on "off the chart" extrovert.

Something happened though after I got married and got over the transition from college student to wife. I started liking going out less and less and being home with Stephen more and more. I was tested again back in 2003 and again in 2004 and I am unquestionably an introvert now.

Don't get me wrong. I can still party with the best of them when I *want* to, but the truth is, I hardly ever want to anymore (even if I wasn't pregnant). I truly love all of my friends and enjoy spending time with them, but I'm just as happy to spend an evening on the couch with Stephen.

So, I may seem like an extrovert to those who've known me forever...because they bring it out in me. But in reality, I prefer a good book and a snuggle with my husband any day.