Four-season friendships

June 15, 6:51 PMCleveland Friendship ExaminerCelina Colombo

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Being a lifetime Clevelander, I know there's nothing that feels better than trading in Uggs for brand-new, Old Navy flip-flops. The day you get to lose those extra layers, paint your toe nails, and go bathing suit shopping should be a local holiday. One trend, however, that I've been noticing this summer season, isn't so fashionable: four-season friendships.

Yes, the changing of the seasons has always called for the give and take of some friendships . Throughout my childhood, summer always gave me the addition of new, softball girlfriends, and the subtraction of the kids who were actually lucky enough to go to summer camp. When we were young, summer meant that we would see more of our convenient friends, the ones who happened to live in close proximity and less of anyone who wasn't a bike ride away. As we got older, we learned that with the coming of summer, we would have to let go of our new, college friendships, and spend the next three months reconnecting with our old, high school pals.

I see nothing wrong with spending the summer months getting chummy with your friends that have convertibles, pools, boats, or houses right on the lake. I mean, they can't enjoy these goodies all by their lonesome. The problems come when these new-found "friendships" cause you to neglect the friends that you hibernated with all winter.

Since it started getting warmer, I've noticed a few names drop off of my recent call list. Friends who had no problem cuddling up on my couch to watch movies or meeting me for coffee, have now suddenly forgotten my number. I can't help but blame the weather when I see pictures popping up on facebook of my long lost buddies jet skiing across Lake Erie or poolside lounging. It seems that my invitations must have gotten lost in the mail.

If you're the friend being left out to dry, there isn't really much that can be done. Obviously buying a boat, pool, jet ski, etc. isn't really an option, so what's next? You could try talking to your busy buddy, but best-case scenario, your friend will give you what feels like a pity invite, worse-case, he or she will be too preoccupied to care what you have to say at all, that is if you can even get them on the phone in between tanning sessions.

I say ride it out. Pick up a few, new summer buddies of your own, maybe even a love interest, and before long you won't even notice the missing link. Then when the leaves begin to change, and your old friend's fingers start to magically dial your number again, you get to decide if you have time for them in your new, hectic, fall schedule. That is a decision that is all your own, but think hard before you spend the next six months sipping Starbucks and going to movies with someone who is going to throw you into storage along with their knit scarves, heavy sweaters, dark jeans, and closed-toe heels.

Links: Summer fun ideas