Jessica

One night a few month's I was at a church (Young Single Adult) New Year's Eve dance. I will refrain from telling which night in hopes that you find it rather obvious. I knew three people there, and had met three others earlier. One girl who was actually a pretty good friend, but was in the midst of friends and was paying more attention to many of them than to me, and some people I didn't actually know nearly as well. I basically felt like I didn't really know anyone. then Jess came along. She certainly didn't change that feeling at first. I don't know her very well, and she actually acted a kind of like a kind of close friend, and as much as I liked having someone excited to see me, I thought it was a little wierd. But before two minutes, she walked away and said I'd have to save her a dance and I was already warming up to her. I asked her to dance and she was so reamarkably, genuinely happy to see me, glad I was there, and really caring about me that I probably felt like I could have danced with her all night. I realized she's 5 years older than me. I don't think she was worried what I thought about her, but I know she cared about helping me feel comfortable instead of slightly out of place.
Without her smile, I don't think she could have ever hoped to make me feel so comfortable with her in those five minutes. It was gorgeous, but the real issue was that it said "I'm happy to see you." It was sincere and caring. No one can avoid liking you better if you can give them a sincere smile when you see them. If you are genuine and willing to risk a little bit of awkwardness at first, there are so many more people than you might think who would appreciate it if you reached out to them.