Intergenerational Relationships
One of my closest friends is nearly half my age. She’s not my daughter or a relative. Camila is truly my friend. I am 58 and she is 32. I fall in the Gen X category. She’s a millennial. I don’t know if that has anything to do with anything, but some people really grab on to those definitions. Some of my friends in my peer group question how this is possible? They seem perplexed. They point out I am the same age as their children, and I could be her mother. What do we talk about? What do we have in common?
We talk about everything and have more in common than you would think.
We don’t view each other by the years we have accumulated. We see the person in front of us. And I see a trustworthy, talented, funny friend. I don’t see age. Sometimes I just think we are actually the same age.
We are not the only people with intergenerational friendships.
According to a 2019 AARP survey, nearly four in ten adults (37 percent) have a close friend who is at least 15 years older or younger than they are. People most often meet these friends at work (26%), in their neighborhood (12%), at church or temple (11%), or through mutual friends (10%).
Camila and I first met when a mutual friend (also younger than me and older than Camila) introduced us because of our similar interest in the sport of triathlon. She thought we would get along. That was an understatement. We began training together and soon started taking road trips to out-of-state races. We even traveled abroad to France to participate in the Ironman 70.3 World Championships. We clicked. It was easy. So easy. We also share the same passion of discovering the best carrot cake in every town we visit. Camila and I also worked together at a TV station in Omaha as fellow reporters.
People who took the AARP survey commented they value the perspective that friends of a different age can provide, and younger adults said that they are often inspired by their older friends, whom they view as role models.
I am inspired by Camila. She is fearless, accepts almost every challenge, whether it’s physical or professional. She makes me believe I can do those activities too. I can to a certain extent, but she is MUCH faster and stronger.
Camila told me she thinks we clicked so fast because have the same sense of humor. Neither of us have filters, no joke or bodily function is crossing the line between us.
"The people that you don’t have to tiptoe around, and you can truly just be your goofy, inappropriate self are the best kinds of people and the greatest friends," said Camila.
Camila also pointed out that with my experience in triathlon through her early triathlon training and racing years. She said I helped her with her gear, such as getting rid of the bike helmet visor and giving her training and nutrition tricks we both still use today. If you haven’t tried Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup before a race, you are truly missing out.
Camila pointed out professionally I have been an inspiration for her in her own journalism career.
"Your experience, writing and won’t-take-no-shit-from-nobody attitude has taught me a lot," she said.
Ditto, my friend. I love learning from you.
Here’s why I like having a friend half my age: She can read the tiny print on the menus for me. She keeps me up to date on makeup and fashion trends, as well as helping me with some of my social media skills. I learn and understand new slang.
Also, because Camila will most likely outlive me, she is now responsible for me financially and physically when I lose my ability to make decisions. I do trust her. So, when I die, she knows what to do. Just don’t pull that plug too early!
