Hi there,

I know it’s been a long time since we’ve talked, in some cases, we’ve never spoken to each other. I met you once, or maybe I went to elementary school with you. We may have been close once upon a time, not these days though. Thanks to social networking we are friends on Facebook, follow each other on Instagram and see each others' Snapchat stories.

I know who you married. I know what your children look like. I know where you went to school. I’ve seen your career develop. I know you’re a great cook. I know you have beautiful friends. I know your political affiliation. I know that you’re passionate in what you believe in. I know you’re funny.

I love watching the videos you post when you scare your cat with a cucumber. I love seeing the photos you took, understanding how much meaning they have to you, enough to share with even me. When you have a bad day, I want to reach out and give you advice; go read that book you gave up on 6 months ago when life got busy, go chase your children around outside; what about that café you said was your new favorite spot? Sometimes I see you reach a milestone, a marriage, a baby, purchasing your first home, finishing school, retiring, starting a business, your new car, traveling the world, or maybe you’ve just decided that today is the first day of the rest of your life.

I couldn’t be more proud of you. I hardly know you, and I watch your triumphs and struggles, and I’m so passionate about it. I love seeing people happy, I love watching them grow, and you, my not-very-close-friend, are a prime example.

Sometimes things aren’t going good. Sometimes you’re back in jail, or needed to move home for a while. Sometimes there is a divorce, a dirty break-up, sometimes a child is sick or you’ve been diagnosed with a terrible disease.

I’m there when those things happen too. If I wasn’t so afraid of strangers, I swear I’d tell you how sorry I am, how I hope to see you come back from your rough time, how I will support you through any choice you make, because you’re doing you and you’re usually pretty good at it.

But I swear to you, I’m not a stalker.

Obviously there is a reason we are keeping tabs on each other. Obviously there is a reason that we “like” major events in each others lives. Or maybe there is no good reason at all. Maybe we just hit the “accept” or “follow” button out of obligation. Maybe we made a snarky remark as we rolled our eyes and remembered how weird we were.

I want you to know that it’s okay to talk to me. I’m harmless. I’ll make an effort to reach out to you more. Maybe we can connect (that’s what social networking is all about anyway, right?).

From where I sit, your life looks fun, exciting and fast-paced. We probably didn’t have a whole lot in common back in 3rd grade, but these days our lives are aligning pretty closely, and I think we can be friends.

Give an old pal a chance.