Growing up in the age of advancing technology, and more importantly, the internet, it was almost unavoidable that I'd make a few friends along the way. Since it was all so new, and so open, there were always warnings of avoiding talking to strangers on the internet and such. And these warnings were not unwarranted, as there are many unfortunate cases of internet friends gone south, but as with real life, traversing the internet just takes plain common sense. And in doing so, I've made some wonderful friends along the way.
That being said, hey guys. You know who you are. I've never met you in real life, but I've seen you face to face over Skype. We've been friends for FIVE YEARS now - isn't that crazy? I know you as long as I've known my high school friends and yet, we're being told it doesn't mean as much. I believe online friendships can be just as meaningful as "real life" ones, if the effort is put in on both sides, as it has been.
You've been there for everything. High school was a crazy formative period for me, and you stuck with me through all of it! Through the good and the bad and the ugly and the radio silent. You've always offered a listening ear when I needed it. We've had so much fun writing and reading each other's stories. You've all felt like big sisters to me and for that I can never thank you enough.
I know there have been times where I appear to have fallen off the grid, with radio silence lasting for months (particularly this last year with college starting and all). But just know that you've always been in my heart and my mind, if not on my computer screen very often. I've learned so much about life and what's important about it from you all. I've learned how to be a better writer, a better storyteller, and I've gained a better sense of self because you embraced me for who I was. The internet has a much bigger tolerance for silliness and randomness, it would seem, and it was a great outlet for me.
I’ve become a better person for knowing you, and I like to think I’ve made a positive impact on your lives, too. The exchange of ideas between people from vastly different backgrounds and settings is one I’ve always loved, and the ease of the internet allows for that to happen. Our generation has been marked down as less socially adept for having the internet open to us, and maybe in some ways that is true. In other ways, however, the internet has allowed us to create bonds we would otherwise have never had the opportunity to make.
So maybe our friendships are different, but I believe they are just as important as the ones we make with people who live near us. Distance is no longer a barrier to friendships as it once was, and I, for one, see that as a strength of our time.
So thank you, for everything. Maybe I’ll get to meet you guys one day.
