Checking in with my peeps on Facebook the other day, a familiar face caught my eye. It was my brother-in-law, grinning out at me from the right column...but no, he hadn’t posted new pics of the nieces. It was Facebook (on it’s own volition?!) suggesting that I "reconnect" with him.

My first thought was that he'd unfriended me! Now, I’m a big girl. I’ve been unfriended before...mostly without my ever noticing. And that’s the way I prefer it. If you don’t want to be exposed to my pithy updates, that’s fine. I certainly don’t need to have rejection pointed out to me!

Then I’m thinking...is Facebook prompting any of my ex Facebuds to go ahead and make a play to win me back?! Ewww. The whole thing stirred up latent fears I'd rather not contemplate. Namely that I simply do not know what Facebook is doing — or might do — with the things it knows. And I’m pretty certain that this is not how Facebook wants me to feel about Facebook.

My fears were unfounded, of course. A quick search revealed my brother-in-law sitting right where I left him, squarely in my friend category. Whew. Still, Facebook feels that I should take action to deepen my connection with him. This is thought provoking, if irritating.

Does Facebook detect a specific lack of activity between us that triggers the suggestion? Why my brother-in-law, and not all the other friends with whom I maintain a lazy acquaintanceship rather than an active friendship on the ‘book? And why is Facebook becoming such a busybody all of the sudden?

Today, Facebook is asking me to write on my brother-in-law’s wall, as if it detects that he’s feeling down and could use a virtual pick-me-up. From his sister-in-law. Right.

Next thing you know, it'll be nagging me to reconnect with my husband. I guess I'm just thankful that my actual mother isn't on Facebook...yet.