10 Years Of Friendships, Here’s To 10 More

Today I’m going to talk about something slightly personal, but it’s been on my mind for a few days (or more) so I’d really just like to get it out there. Two years ago yesterday, Tom posted his engagement letter. Ten years ago yesterday, I reluctantly joined the new forum of a chat room I’d been apart of for a few years. Ten years ago yesterday, I decided to write a story with five other people that would change my life forever. Ten years ago yesterday, I made some of the best friends I’ve ever known. Ten years ago yesterday, I met the boy that would grow into the man that would one day be my husband. And for an entire year, I didn’t know any of their real names. And a month from now, but three years ago, I met Tom in person for the first time.

I guess what I’m trying to say is, I’m so grateful that I was brave enough to sign on to that forum. To take heat from friends and family when I spent my summers on the computer writing instead of outside at the beach. I’m grateful that even though almost everyone around me was saying, “it’s just online“, that I didn’t care. That I held true to my feelings. Let’s be honest, having online friends or even BFFs is not all that surprising anymore. Being on the internet isn’t just cool, it’s commonplace. But I assure you if you didn’t experience it yourself then let me tell you, ten years ago it wasn’t. Ten years ago if you were online or had friends online, or had an online boyfriend, you were ruthlessly made fun of. Ten years ago nobody understood that you could actually care about someone like a brother or sister without knowing their last name, or having seen their face. Well let me tell you something about that. When I moved away from my best friend and was feeling a little strange at my new school, these friends were there for me. These friends would talk to me well into the night, these friends would help me study, they’d help me with social problems. We created stories together, we played games, and some of these friends I still talk to today. I knew, and I really mean this, that if I was ever really in trouble- I could contact or call any one of these friends and they’d be there for me. That’s saying a lot at sixteen, I think.

I had every intention of letting yesterday go unmarked (at least on this blog), but as I got ready to post pictures of the strawberry festival, I really just couldn’t. Some of you may remember when I was a part project called Life According To Us, which was a few years ago now. Those of you that don’t know, it was a videolog project where five people posted a video each day during the week and some were ridiculous while others were personal. Inevitably the casts grew pretty close. Well, last week two of the cast members met up in London. (One is from the US and the other from Portugal!) And as I am writing this post I’m finding myself pretty choked up.

People are people are people, behind a screen or not. And if you care enough, if you’re brave enough to let that person behind the monitor see you, you can create some of the best friendships of your life. Friendships that aren’t based on social standing or looks or certain scenes, but instead that are based in conversation, mutual interests, and intellect. These are the friendships that are worth everything. Obviously you can meet friends like this offline too, and I absolutely have and treasure them deeply, but I guess what I’m saying is that it’s okay to meet them online too. Meeting them online doesn’t make your relationship any less substantial, any less important, or less anything. There’s still a stigma with meeting people online but I think, I hope, that’s changing.

Here’s to all the people I’ve met in the last 10 years who I’ve met online, and to the dozen more I still have yet to meet. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.