Mary Liston: Hi, friends. Welcome back to what's, a podcast between friends. A podcast that seeks to celebrate and learn from real life friendship. My name is Mary Liston, and this week we're bringing you a conversation between friends Gina and Dominique. Gina and Dominique have been friends since middle school and have known each other through all of life's ups and downs and changes. They have supported each other through various life transitions as well as a lot of loss. And their friendship is one that is effortlessly supportive. It is full of adventures, and I really enjoyed getting the chance to speak with them about their friendship. So, without further ado, here's my conversation with Gina and Dominique.
Mary Liston: Thank you all so much for doing this. Would you mind introducing yourself?
Gina: So, I'm Gina. I am living in Phoenix, Arizona, currently software developer, been friends with Dominique since I think we were like twelve. And we met just through school. I think we're in the same class in 6th grade, and the rest is history.
Dominique: And I'm Dominique, 29. Grew up in Johnsburg, Illinois, until I went to University of Minnesota. And I've been here ever since. I'm in human resources and, yeah, like Gina said, became friends in junior high. We lived kind of right down the street from one another. And, yeah, I've been friends ever since.
Mary Liston: Wonderful.
Mary Liston: Well, thank you all for being on the show. I'm sure this will come up at some point, but Gina, Dominique and I grew up in the same town and went to school in the same district and in the same schools through all.
Dominique: Of our school careers.
Mary Liston: So I'm sure that'll come up at some point in this conversation. We're going to start out, if you guys wouldn't mind, with you just sharing the story of your friendship. So how you all met and became friends and how your friendship progressed until now.
Gina: Dominic, do you remember how we met? Because I remember.
Dominique: Oh, my gosh, no, I don't remember, but I can't wait to hear this.
Gina: I'm pretty sure because we were like, friend adjacent for a while. I think we met in kindergarten because we were, like, on the same bus. You were friends with Nicole, but we didn't actually. And then I think we shared some classes in fifth grade, but in 6th grade we were in Mrs. Peterson's class together. And I think that's when I, like, joined what do we call it? The group?
Dominique: The Pink ladies.
Gina: Yeah, that's when I became friends with all of you guys and then kind of went from there.
Dominique: Yeah, I forgot because I'm like, we obviously both went to Jonesborough our whole life, so I was trying to figure out when it kind of collided, but that totally makes sense because wasn't the junior high, like, different levels? There was like, upstairs and downstairs.
Gina: Yeah, I'm pretty sure we were all downstairs because I became friends with your group and then I became close with Leah because we lived near each other, and then Judy and Shane and just all of the rest of you guys. I don't remember how I joined your little group, but that was like I think that was the start of it. And then we've hung out since.
Dominique: Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. And I feel like so much of it when you first become friends, is that whole, like, oh, we sit at the same lunchtime, and that's like, how you know your friends in junior high is like, what table you sit at during lunch.
Gina: Yeah, it was that. And then hanging out with our friends on winter break and stuff, like, around the neighborhood, because we really only saw each other. We only saw our friends in the neighborhood on brakes because we were young, we couldn't drive, and then we lived near each other, so that's why we saw each other. And then you were always grounded so we would come see you.
Dominique: That's true. Fast.
Gina: I think that's, like, when you and I got closer and then just we hung out with that whole group every time we had off of school.
Dominique: Yes, literally. I remember walking around the neighborhood after school and then we would take pictures before all the dances together. Like, you look back at it and it's like pictures from homecoming and then pictures from prom. I feel like when everyone goes off to college, you kind of disconnect from high school friends because you're just, like, trying to if you go out of state, because you're, like, trying to figure out your new life. And like, gina went to Madison, I went to Minnesota. So I think for a while they're just trying to focus on college and making friends there. But then I don't remember what year it was, but when we went back for that Thanksgiving break and reconnected, that was 2014.
Gina: Yeah, because when I went to college, I just pretty much like, stop talking to anyone from high school. I don't know why. I was just like, **** that place. I don't know if I can swear.
Mary Liston: You'Re fine.
Gina: **** that place. I'm not talking to anybody. I kind of, like, drifted from a lot of people, and Dominic and I ended up reconnecting, I think 2014, it was like the first Christmas break, or I think it was Thanksgiving that our class was all 21, so everybody was at half times. And that was like one of the most fun weekends.
Dominique: Yeah, that was a lot of fun. And I think that is what reconnected us. And then ever since then, it was like, whether you were coming to Minnesota, I was coming to Madison. We both would, like, figure out how to get to Illinois at the same time. But yeah, I think reconnecting in college, we probably, like, drifted towards each other at half times because we're like, hey, we used to sit at the same lunch table.
Gina: I think you actually put it all together because I remember getting a text from you and you had a group chat with a bunch of us, a bunch of people I hadn't talked to since I graduated. And I was like, yeah, it sounds fun to reconnect with people. So I think you were the kind of the ring leader that brought everyone together. And yes, I think we just reconnected then and we're just like, yeah, let's have fun. This is awesome.
Mary Liston: That's really cool. Yeah, I totally get that. And I like that you guys brought up how friendship changes throughout time. When you leave high school, you move into college sometimes there is that disconnect, but that doesn't mean, oh no, the friendship is over. Like, friendship changes throughout time as we grow. Can you talk a little bit more about how your friendship has changed throughout the different stages of it? What that has looked like in different seasons of your lives?
Dominique: I know for me, I personally feel like the college and after college is when we've been closest.
Mary Liston: I agree.
Dominique: Yeah. I think that we were in the same friend group, so we were friends and we liked hanging out. We always got along. I can't remember getting in fights in junior high or high school at all, but I also don't remember ever hanging out one on one. I feel like it would always be like Nicole would be there or Leo would be there. It was always group settings from what I remember, or like Christian or Brandon.
Gina: I think there were moments because I remember we would like, talk on the phone, like we would have phone conversations.
Dominique: And Aim, I remember talking on Aim a lot.
Gina: I think there was like a part of us that had the friendship separate from the group, but yeah, I think it was just mostly group settings and then I agree with what you said, that we've been closer since college or since after high school.
Dominique: I will say though, that today I went back through our you can see friendship on Facebook. I went back and there was at one point when you posted, you got in your MySpace and you're like, oh my gosh, remember top eight? And I was number four. So we had to have been, I mean, very close to make it number four.
Gina: Very serious stuff.
Dominique: I know that's no joke. But yeah. I feel like it was a lot of like mutual. You know. Like. Cause we were in the same friend group and then it was like I really think after we both connected on that break and then I think that's when it became like a lot deeper of like. Hey. We're like going to trust one another and like. You know. Like. You're in college. Like you're still like discovering who you are and the break ups at that time you're like. Oh yeah. High school breakups are done. But this college breakup is going to end. My life. So then actually talking about kind of more of those serious topics and being there for each other, like, yeah, we'd go out and party, sure. But it wasn't like a friendship based on that.
Gina: Yeah. I was also like a much different person in high school. I think I had my own issues going on and I think I don't really think that had any like I don't think that's reflective of our friendship, I should say. I think that's more reflective of who I was at the time, like just pulling away from people. Even like, in high school, I was pretty withdrawn, I would say. But I think in colleges when I finally, like you said, kind of finding who I was more, like, coming into myself. And then I was more, I think, receptive to the friendships that I realized that were real, I guess you could say, understanding what I actually had.
Dominique: Yeah. And I think realizing what friendships are worth putting effort into because I think for me, for a long time, it was like, oh, I have all these friends and I need to try to put all my energy into this. And then you get drained or you realize you're not getting the same effort back. Or like, oh, I'm just doing this because we've been friends for so long, but we've actually grown apart and we're like in such different places in our lives where with you and I, it became like so easy. And we'd see each other only a few times a year and we're like almost the same person. So it was just so wild how that ended up developing.
Gina: It was like effortless, I would say. And that's probably what just creates that strong foundation is like, it doesn't really feel forced. And I feel like even if one of us went off the grid and didn't even speak for like a year and then reconnected, it would just be the same. It would be like nothing changed kind of thing. It would just be like effortless.
Dominique: Yes, absolutely.
Mary Liston: This is offbook. So sorry in advance, but I hear you saying that your friendship feels very effortless. How do you kind of like account for that? Where does that come from? Do you feel like there's something about your personalities or something about the way that you interact with one another that makes it feel like that? Is it just kind of like I don't know, but it works. Where does that come from?
Gina: I think when I say that, it's more coming from just knowing how do I want to say this? Just like knowing that Dominic is always going to be there. That even if for some reason, if we were to hypothetically take a long break from talking, I could always count on her to be there, kind of thing. I know she's just a genuine friend, so I always feel like I can go to her and no matter what I think that's why it feels effortless.
Dominique: Sorry.
Gina: I feel like I'm not explaining this how I'm thinking about it, but I don't know, it just feels like I can tell her anything and it doesn't really feel like a friendship that has I don't know. I don't know what I'm trying to say, but I think I got the point.
Mary Liston: Yeah, no, I feel like you're speaking to, like, a really strong foundation of trust that you guys have where it feels like it's going to be okay no matter what. And that allows for, like, a freedom and effortlessness.
Dominique: I get that.
Mary Liston: I get that for sure.
Dominique: Yeah. And that's literally what I was going to say was for me, it's like this mutual, kind of almost like unspoken trust to where if there is and like, to say it's effortless, it is. I mean, when we hang out, it's so easy. I remember those friends that you would hang out with and you almost felt like you had to entertain them or when there would be, like, silences, you would feel, like, awkward. But with us, just like, we end up in the most random, hilarious situations. And then when there are like, yes, it's effortless, but there have been times, like, I remember there was like a time in the beginning of the pandemic where I hadn't heard from Gina for quite some while and I was like, really concerned. But, you know, with some friends, like, if I didn't value it that much, I'd be like, you know, whatever. If they don't want to be my friend, then I'm not going to put my effort into them. I'm done. But with her, and I'm absolutely not going to throw something like that away. And I felt comfortable enough to wear, like, hey, I can be vulnerable with her and let her know that I'm concerned. I'm worried that maybe I did something like, is she okay? The Pandemic like so many people going through isolation and mental health, so I just reached out and then it made complete sense. And she was like, I stare at a screen all day, every day. The last thing I want to do after work then is stare at my phone. And I'm like, wow, that makes sense. So much sense for me. Who was in the food industry, I didn't stare at a screen almost at all unless it's a DoorDash tablet. So, like, I wasn't used to that. But then we talked about it and it wasn't an issue after that.
Gina: Yeah, that was a hard time because I remember every human interaction I have is through a screen. And it was like, really just grating at me. Like, I didn't see anybody. I was living at my own at the time. Dominique is always, like, understanding of things, and I think what it always comes down to, it's always like, something going on with me. So if she ever feels slighted or anything, it's like, never about her and it's always just something internally that I'm fighting and she is understanding of that, which is an awesome call you to have in a friend.
Dominique: I think it was just like putting myself in her shoes and being like, yeah, I have so much social interaction. I was working six days a week with a full restaurant of doing takeout food and then all the customers, and I'm even on the phone with them and they want to talk because they haven't talked to anyone else. So now we're like in a full blown conversation when I'm just trying to get there to go order. So once she laid that out, I was like, okay, that totally makes sense, I'll give you your space. And I knew we were good and that was all I needed to make sure she was okay and that I hadn't done anything that upset her.
Mary Liston: Yeah, for sure. I think that I totally resonate with what you were saying, Gina, about like because I feel like there are times when I'll be going through a thing and some of my friends will be like, are you okay? Like, I thought you were mad at me. And I'm like, no, this has literally nothing to do with you. This is just like, there's something going on in my head right now and I just needed a little time and space to work it out. And it's so wonderful to know when you have those friendships that are strong, when they're just going to be like, okay, yeah, I'm here for you, I've got your back if you need me, but we're good to go. So I totally get that. I resonate with that a lot. You guys, I guess, kind of talked about this already, so if you feel like you've already covered it, then we can just move on. But what does conflict look like within.
Dominique: The context of your friendship?
Mary Liston: How does that play out between the two of you?
Gina: I think if there ever is conflicts, we just talk about and then forgive and move on. There hasn't really been anything that's been like earth shattering or life changing, I should say. I feel like we're good at talking things out, and I think we mentioned we both kind of know that we have this mutual trust and love there that conflicts. There's not going to be conflicts that are big enough to cause actual issues.
Dominique: Yeah. I can think of friends that I'm friends with now from high school that I had a big falling out in high school. Thought it was a forever thing, and then again you grow and you get older and then you meet up years later and you're like, I don't even remember what that falling out was about. It was probably really silly. Now we're great, but Gina and I never had that. Like I had said before, I can't even remember a fight from K through twelve at all. And I will say the most recent conflict we had. I was really surprised because usually I always consider myself a very confrontational person. I do not like to walk on eggshells. That's one of my pet peeves, especially being in Minnesota. Everyone here is so passive aggressive, and I feel like I'm so confrontational for this state. And Gino is actually the one that was like, hey, things are weird. Like, can we talk? And I was like, oh. I was like, yes, we can. And literally, that was how she would approach it. She was like, hey, I feel like you're, like, acting different towards me. I feel like things are a little awkward. Can we sit down and talk? And we did. And then we hugged and told each other how much we loved each other and then went on to have the best night of our vacation.
Gina: Right?
Dominique: Yeah.
Gina: I feel like I don't like to have things just, like, go unsaid when you can just hash it out and move on, especially if it's over something really minor or insignificant, which I think that was. And I'm like, this is dumb. Let's just have fun and not be angry or whatever.
Dominique: Yes. Which I think is really important because I've had friends who will give the cold shoulder or silent treatment, and it's just, like, so uncomfortable, and it can really prolong and almost make something that maybe wasn't as big of a deal. All of a sudden, now it seems.
Gina: Like a bigger deal because of how.
Dominique: You reacted to it and handled it. And it's like, wow, that actually didn't matter. Yes.
Gina: Life is too short to just be hung up on really dumb things. So I'm just kind of like, I don't even care. Let's just forget about it, move on.
Dominique: Yeah.
Gina: Actually, I think I do remember us having conflict 6th grade. Sorry, this is like a tangent, Mary, but I remember there was, like, a love triangle with Tom can I say names?
Mary Liston: Yeah, names.
Gina: We love it with Tom Brown. And, like, four people don't remember it going down like this. He and Dominique were, like, middle school sweethearts, and at some point they broke up and he dated someone else, and then they broke up, and then I was like, okay, well, he's dated two of my friends, so I can date him now. And then you guys got really upset at me. You wrote about me and your thing. I remember reading line for line, like, you guys are like, Gina did this, like, blah, blah, blah, like, all angry. We got to stick together because she's not a true friend or whatever. And I know it only lasted, like, three days. I remember that memory so specifically, I remember, like, reading your blog post, like, she's talking about me or whatever, and it's just, like, so dumb. But that's the only conflict I can remember. I mean, I'm sure we had a bunch of other ones like that that were so insignificant, but felt like very significant at the time. But like I said, it literally lasted three days. And then he and I broke up or whatever and then all forgot about it.
Dominique: I would give so much money to be able to log into that Zenga account.
Gina: I would give so much money to see that Zinga account. You documented everything. And I remember there was so much detail that I would just kill the half right now.
Dominique: Absolutely. I'm so sad.
Mary Liston: I don't that's awesome. I love that. I feel like you all are my heroes because I will do just by anything to avoid a conflict. They make me so anxious and so I would love to take lessons from you all.
Gina: I guess my advice is just like, I care more about my friendship with the other person than I care about maybe being right or having my pride. I'm like, even if I think I'm right or I think like this, I'm like, whatever, it's not it's so dumb that it's not worth upsetting a friend over. That's kind of how I view it.
Mary Liston: Yeah, I like that. I'm going to take a page from you all's book. I am. I'm going to do it. I think that friendship can be a really good space for learning and growth. What has this friendship helped you to learn or taught you?
Dominique: I think for me, it taught me what I like, value in a friendship because I think for a long time because in high school and even college with having roommates where you have this constant interaction, to me it was almost like friendship was something of, like a convenience. Like, oh, well, this person and I talk every single day, so they must be my best friend. And then maybe you don't work together anymore, so you don't see each other every day, and then you never end up talking again and you're like, wait, that friendship was kind of just based off, like, convenience and where we were at the time, and it was just very superficial and didn't have a lot of depth to it. And it's like we're so busy as we get older and have so much going on that it's like quality over quantity. I want to have meaningful friendships where, yes, we can go and have fun together, but also I can call you at 03:00 A.m., and if your phone is not on silent, you're going to be there. For me. I think it's what do I value and what do I actually want to put my time, energy and effort into? Instead of just being able to say, like, hey, look at me, I have all these friends, it's like, hey, I have these rider dies. And that's like, what's most important. And I think that's, like, what Gene and I have to we're like, yeah, we don't talk every day, but we also they make an effort and it's a dual thing. It doesn't feel onesided where it's like, always one person reaching out or always one person begging. And I feel like for a long time I did that in friendships. I think partially because of losing the friends that I have, where I was like, no, I've got to hold on to everything so tight that then it doesn't actually feel genuine at all.
Gina: Yeah, I agree. Honestly, I feel like it helps me learn to be a better friend because Dominique is a really good friend to a lot of people in her life, and I kind of try to model myself off of that in certain ways. And she's a really thoughtful person. Like she said, she's a writer, died to a lot of friends in her life, and it kind of motivates me to be a better friend. It's kind of that, like, be the friend that you want to have kind of thing. And that's kind of what she motivates me to do.
Dominique: Oh, I never knew. That.
Mary Liston: So sweet. I like that a lot. Obviously, since we all grew up in the same place, we are all very aware of the losses that you all have experienced with regards to friendship. Would you feel comfortable kind of just for the listeners out there, feel comfortable just kind of giving a quick overview of what that's looked like for you all's?
Gina: Friendship, I'd say, like, the major one was Judy. I think she was the one that we were both closest with of a few friends that we have lost and maybe Shasta. I guess the way that it would change our friendship is kind of how it changed my outlook of friendships. It's just like, you kind of realize how precious life is and that it's not outside of the possibility that you will lose your friend unexpectedly, even at a really young age. And that's kind of just how I view it.
Dominique: Yeah. I think with Judy, like Gina said, that was who we were closest to, and we were so young. I know for me, that was the first major loss that I had dealt with. And the fact that we had such a close knit friend group, I think really helped for the support. And not that it was easy at all, but then losing Mallory and then Shasta, we knew that we would again have that support system there and be able to check in on each other. And like Gina said, it does. It makes you realize how short life is. Like, all three of those deaths were unexpected. Not that it's any easier when you know what's coming. When it's like a sickness or something like that. But you don't have the chance to say goodbye. And then you're thinking about. Like. Oh. That time I got in a fight with them. Or I decided not to go hang out with them. Or there's different feelings kind of associated with it. But sometimes I think it made me keep friends that I shouldn't have just because I was like. Oh. I don't want to lose anyone else. So sometimes I think it had a negative impact. But as I get older, I think I've worked that out where I'm like, no, yes, we'll deal with issues. We're not going to sweep them under the rugs or things like that, but also, like, I'm not going to just like throw away actual friendships and I'm going to like if they're like, I'm going to tell my friends I love them and I'm going to tell them how much they mean to me. And I'm not like, too proud to do those things.
Gina: Yeah, I think when friends, even just outside of us, but our friends that were also affected by Judy, it kind of bonds you in a way that nothing else does. It's kind of like we have this shared loss. We all kind of went through the grooving process at the same time. It's all of that. I think that and I can't really explain it, but it's kind of feel like it connects you on a different level that you can't really explain because.
Mary Liston: It'S like it's a shared trauma. It's a shared traumatic event. Yeah, I think that makes a lot of sense if you guys have a moment or a conversation or something that just really sticks out in your mind about your friendship in particular. And if so, would you be willing to share it?
Gina: Something that I think about every once in a while is like this one birthday that I went to go visit Dominic because I like, oh my God, that was mine.
Dominique: Shut up. Oh, no, that means it's a really good one.
Mary Liston: I'm excited.
Gina: Okay, maybe it's a different birthday, I don't know. Maybe not, though. I think something happened with my plans or something. They like, fell through. So Dominic was like, oh, come to Minnesota. My birthday is the day before New Year's Eve, so it's always like a weird day. And then there's like the holiday. And she works in the restaurant industry, so she's usually working. And I think this one year I came up, she was like, come up, I'll switch shifts around. And she had to do something like take on extra shifts just to be able to get New Year's Eve off. But she did that for me to have a great birthday, New Year's Eve weekend or whatever. And then she kind of just went all out and we went to this one restaurant and she had them write happy Birthday, Gina on the menu. And it was like really thoughtful and I think about that a lot and it was really awesome. Is that the same story?
Dominique: That is not, but I forgot about the menu and going to Chino Latino.
Gina: It was really cute. I was really happy.
Dominique: That was a fun weekend.
Gina: That was a really fun weekend. Your friend drove us home and she thought I was going to. Throw up in the car, but I just found some water. I almost threw up and I ran inside and went to sleep and then I just didn't wake up till the morning and I was fine.
Mary Liston: There you go.
Dominique: It's always been amazing about you. I will say your hangovers are a lot less than mine are.
Gina: I mean, it depends. I think that time specifically, I just chugged three glasses of water before we left the bar, just like within five minutes and then I think that is what saved me. So that's my anti hangover tip.
Mary Liston: Love it.
Dominique: I will say something I appreciated about that was like, gina is always able to vibe with my friends really well. Like, people that she's never met that night was like Emily and Julia and she just like, fit right in. And when she would come and visit me with my roommate, I remember after you moved to Phoenix and at first when you weren't loving it and you're like, everyone in Minnesota is so nice, maybe I'll move there. My life is very different.
Gina: I'm like, I love all your friends. They're so cool.
Dominique: Okay, so when you were first telling the story I miss herd it. So yours is when you came for your birthday to Minnesota. Mine is when you came to Minnesota for my birthday. And I think it was my 22nd and you told me day of that you were going to drive from Madison and come see me and me, you and Brock went out to brita loco. And then it like torrential downpour. And I remember us running around Minneapolis and I don't know how you were able to or if you were planning it or something like randomly happened to where you're like, I can just come to Minnesota. But literally, it was like that day that you told me that you were coming to visit for my birthday and I was so excited because it was like the one birthday where I really didn't have any plans. And then it ended up being like one of the funnest because it was just so random. And again, you and Brock got along super well and we all just vibed brock bay. Brock bay. That's right. Bay for days.
Gina: Yeah, I think it was because it was like end of may. I'm pretty sure.
Dominique: Yeah.
Gina: School was definitely out and I think I had off work for unexpectedly whatever day it was that it fell on. So I think it's 4 hours away from you. I was like, let's do this. Let's drive up and hang out for your birthday.
Dominique: Well, now, hearing that both of ours have to do with birthdays and then the fact that our 30th are coming up, I feel like we're going to have to do something.
Gina: I know. Again, it's just like my birthday is such an inconvenient time because it's like people don't want to go out because it's like new year's eve. The next day, but I'm going on a tangent.
Dominique: Benders. We'll just go on a bender.
Gina: Birthday week.
Dominique: Yeah. Here's my birthday month.
Gina: Go out every single day.
Mary Liston: Exactly.
Gina: Perfect.
Mary Liston: Love that awesome. That sounds like a lot of fun. It sounds like you guys have had a lot of fun adventures together. And I like that.
Gina: Yeah, we've had a lot of really just fun, like, I think random memories. I don't know. I feel like a lot of times, maybe not so much now that we're older, but when we were younger in college, just had nothing to do, and we're like, let's just go out and see where the night takes us. And it was always just like, really random fun things.
Mary Liston: That's awesome. It's a lot of fun. All right. And our last question is what do you admire most about each other?
Gina: So I really admire Dominic's Resilience because she has faced so much loss and so many, like, tragic things in her life. And, like, she just kind of keeps going. Like, you just get up and you get the thing done where, for me, if I face something that's really stressful or traumatic, like, I just grow up in a ball and I'm just like, useless. I'm like, I can't think about doing anything right now, and I got to just do things. I got to pick up and I got to take care of what's happening and just keep going. And I really admire that because like I said, when faced with that level of that kind of stressful event, I just shut down. And I don't know how she does it.
Dominique: I think for me, something is how care free you are in a sense of where you will not care what people think to be. Like, gina went to a bar in a robe. In a robe. She had a clothes on underneath it, I will say. But she went in a bathrobe because she's like, I'm comfortable. I don't feel like changing. This is a dive bar that we don't even know how it's open anymore, which actually they just had their last weekend, probably because of health concerns. But she's like, I'm just going to go in my robe, and we're going to then go to a different bar in Fox Lake. And that song Panda is going to come on, and she's going to wrap every word and bounce around like everyone is watching. And I just like, if anyone knows about what are they enneagrams or however you say it. Like, I'm a type three, so I always care what people think about me. And I want to seem really cool, and I can only make a fool out of myself if everyone else in the room is yeah, I think that. And then just like, for as outgoing as I am, it's really just with people that I feel comfortable with, I'm actually, like, kind of shy in new settings, which people don't usually realize. And Gina just, like, will go into a crowd and all of a sudden, by the end of the night, it's like, she's been part of that group forever. And I absolutely love that because it's like this contagious energy, and it's like, okay, even if something is going on, it's hard to have a bad time. And I think that's just like a testament to how we kind of, like, feed off of each other's energies.
Mary Liston: I love that Gina and Dominique were an amazing friendship pair to talk to for this episode. I really enjoyed getting to know them better and hearing their story. I'm also super grateful to them for being willing to record this episode and spend some time with me. I was experiencing some major technical issues during our recording times. They were frequently losing me completely, and I'm just so thankful to them for their patience and for their willingness to soldier on through our conversation because I'm really proud of their conversation and getting to share it with all of you. What's a Podcast Between Friends is going to be in your feeds probably once a month at this point. My friends, I really enjoy making this podcast. It's been something that has been really life giving for me. I've gotten to talk to a lot of really interesting people, but trying to keep up with a weekly or even every other week schedule during the school year is getting mighty difficult. So we're going to be moving to a little bit more of a flexible format. I hope that you will stick with us as we kind of navigate what this show can look like in all the different stages of my life. So thank you for your patience in that arena. You can find What's A podcast between friends? Anywhere you get your podcast. You can also find us on social media, on Instagram at what's a Podcast Between Friends? You can also email us if you ever have any suggestions for the show feedback, potential guests, if you yourself want to be on the show, please email us at what's a Podcast Between Friends@gmail.com? Thank you so much for your willingness to go on this journey of exploring friendship with me, and I'm looking forward to continuing that. It's in this kind of new, more flexible setup as we move forward, and I hope that you enjoy your month and we will see you soon. Bye, friends.