A shared “first date” — and a mutual 12-foot-wall.

In a gated community where everyone drives right into their walled homes, it’s hard to get to know each other.

I admittedly had a snarly attitude when our new neighbors spent months doing noisy, dusty construction —

and the shared wall is about 2 feet away from our house (it’s called a “highly populated, densely landscaped

community” but none of that helps when workers are pounding and squabbling inches away).  As

someone who’s trapped in a home office, I resented the workers’ boombox music and cat calls to each other…

their jackhammers jarred .. and  as their contractor forged ahead my hostility engorged.

After our neighbors finally moved in, I took inventory.  I had been a horrible person.

I thought, “I wouldn’t like me as a new neighbor” and humbly scratched out an an apology letter.

Our neighbor graciously chose to forgive me.  This dinner kicked-off a tentatively friendship, whichI’m happy

to report has deepened since then.  If I hadn’t written the letter, I doubt it would have happened.  I’m glad I did.