Friendship has inspired a plethora of popular quotes that circulate daily on social media. From, “A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out,” to, “When it hurts to look back and you’re afraid to look ahead, look beside you… your best friend will be there,” the bonds of this coveted relationship are celebrated all around the world.  

While we obviously don’t get to choose our family members, we do get to pick our friends, who have been referred to as the siblings God never gave us. With an estimated 1,000 new residents per day migrating to Florida, the Sunshine State undoubtedly has many men and women that are looking to connect with their new potential new best friend. This month, Natural Awakenings takes the work and angst out of the search by querying local individuals about where to go to comfortably interact with possible BFF candidates.

Friends Beyond the Dance Floor

“Dancing is a great way to meet people and make new friends. Many individuals come alone to our studio, which is why we always politely ask, ‘Do you need partner?’ Sometimes people sign up for private dance lessons first, which means they get to come to group classes, social parties and open dancing sessions,” says Anastasia Wachs, co-owner of Arthur Murray Dance Center of Naples.

Two years ago, Mary Ellen Marino, a former Massachusetts resident, was a stranger amidst other strangers with whom she shared group dancing lessons. She bonded over time with with a woman from Toronto, Canada. “Tracey and I had one thing in common—our daughters. We eventually golfed with our husbands and stayed in touch via Facebook when Tracey returned to Canada. We even became grandmothers around the same time,,” says Marino, who now competes in local dance competitions.

Deborah Mackerwicz moved to Naples from Boston. “I’ve connected with other dance students because we share the same passion for dancing, which creates a bond that leads to friendship outside the ballroom. Our group feels more like a family. We sometimes meet to dance at the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club on Sunday nights and a few of us compete together,” says Mackerwicz, who has developed a friendship with Marino.

Vino’s Picasso group after painting class

Creative Friendships

Anyone interested in exploring creativity in the way Charlene Orsine does, through painting, may find that becoming a regular at Vino’s Picasso, with locations in Naples and Fort Myers, could have an added benefit—making many friends.  

“Painting was a catalyst for finding many new friends and creating closer-knit friendships with people I had known less intimately. I invited people to meet me for wine and painting and we never failed to share good times. We’ve supported each other through weddings and other important life events and chat regularly on Facebook since we have all moved out of the area,” says Orsine.

Vino’s Picasso owner Mercedes Price-Harry takes great delight in observing her customers—single, married, retired, young and middle-aged—engaged in the building friendships. She has also benefitted personally. “One of our regular customers became a close friend and my business mentor,” says Price-Harry, who notes that Meetup groups have sprung from relationships built at Vino’s Picasso.

AHA! staff sharing ideas before class

Meetup Groups

Jenny Ciccone is an Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) instructor/practitioner who holds regular classes at AHA! A Holistic Approach Center for Health & Harmony, in Fort Myers. The Sanibel Island resident organized and hosts a meet up group at the center, which she started prior to teaching there. The group, with a membership of 80 individuals, shares the intention of supporting each other in becoming more proficient at using the universal healing tool that can provide results for physical and emotional issues. “I continuously explore how to make the Meetups better for the community I describe as lovingly bonded and uplifting,” says Ciccone.

Lisa Tomasi’s Meetup, Naples Living Foods Group and its Lee County counterpart, Fort Myers Living Foods Meetup gives 1,000 members monthly opportunities to socialize around events such as potlucks, movie nights, lectures, and food demonstrations. “Many people have made friends during the 192 Meetups we’ve had since 2006. We’ve even had some matchmaking in the group,” advises Tomasi.

Friends Beyond the Yoga Mat

Cindy Carfore, owner of AHA! has been watching a community of like-minded individuals grow before her eyes. “Our regular yoga students, who take classes from the same teacher, often stay after class and talk or they go meet at a coffee shop. One woman who comes regularly for chair yoga and massage calls this place her second home,” says Carfore.

AHA! yoga teacher Sondra Dansby gathering with students after class

A Community of Yogis and Yoginis

When Carla Lisaarla Olla, owner of Love Yoga Center, in Naples, moved to Florida in 2010 she was connected with only one person. “I knew that I could make friends at a yoga studio, so I designed mine with friendships and community in mind. Half my retail space has a sofa, ottomans and a coffee table. There’s always food there, and on special occasions, my mom and I cook a big spread for everyone. I’ve made lots of friendships within this community. We support each other’s events and activities such as the CSA that one of us started,” says Olla.

Tom DeBoni practices at AHA! nearly every day. “When anyone develops an interest in an activity, occupation or avocation and pursues it avidly, they are bound to encounter others doing the same thing. Friendships naturally develop and become more than mere acquaintances,” says DeBoni, who made a friend that is currently helping him with some landscaping work around his house.

Florida Community of Mindfulness

Sean McCabe, a Naples resident, is a member of the Florida Community of Mindfulness that meets Sundays at the greenmonkey yoga studio, in Naples. He is also a longtime member of an international organization, the Mankind Project (MKP), which asks men to confront the real issues and to get 100 percent honest about who they are. “Either place is a safe container that offers fertile ground for men with similar interests to meet and become friends,” says McCabe.

Once the connection is made, it’s important to be courageous and invite new acquaintances to hang out, keep in touch and continue nurturing the relationship, so it can grow to the next level. Along the way to making new friends let’s also make sure to remember, cherish and celebrate the old and loyal friends that have enriched our lives and made us better people.