An “Online Friendship” is an incredible thing, and I feel like it is looked down upon. But, I am here sharing my story to show that you can meet some pretty amazing and unforgettable people even if they live across the world from you.
The internet is a melting pot of diverse amazing people. It started off with a simple tweet, that quickly led to a conversation via iMessage with strangers that I’ve never met before, but felt like I’ve known my whole life. The messages and girls kept piling up and soon the group message was up to about eighteen members. The messages soon led to normal phone calls and eventually to Skype and Oovoo calls in which we got to video chat for hours! Some girls even had the opportunity to meet each other in real life and wow the feeling from those moments are stuck in my brain forever.
Throughout these past two years, I have made friends for life. They know my secrets and embarrassing stories and my inner nerd. I am myself when I talk to them, no holds barred. A part of it I feel like comes from the anonymity of it all. You have the ability to be whoever you want to be — even if that means being yourself. The bond that I have created with these girls is real. You share a piece of you to the people on the other side of the internet; laughing loudly, crying to the point where you can’t breathe, celebrating an accomplishment, being an ear for each other’s frustrations…you share raw emotions and it is incredible. It is liberating.
I’ve watched these girls grow up over the past two years. The quiet girls became the heart of the group and found love in the most unexpected places. Each girl was able to find that special “one” or “ones” who share the same hobbies and emotional struggles as them which made them feel like they weren't alone. We all over time became best friends. Our real lives do get in the way sometimes, but at the end of the day, we know that when push comes to shove, we’re there for each other. No different in time zones, internet problems or crappy cell phone service will keep us from being best friends. We are distant, but continue to be connected.
Throughout my journey with these girls we as a group have come up with 10 reasons as to why having “Internet Friends” is awesome:
1. You get the chance to meet someone from across the world.
2. You get to learn about so may different cultures and see how they compare to your own.
3. So many inside jokes!
4. No matter what time it is there is always someone to talk to.
5. You get to step outside of your small town and the drama as long as you are talking to your online friends.
6. You are able to connect over different hobbies and interests and at the same time are introduced to so much more!
7. Everyone is equal online: grades, economic status, appearance, etc. None of it matters.
8. You are somehow able to get closer emotionally to the friends that you make online because it's not as scary as saying out loud how you really feel. You also are able to share and hear so many stories!
9. When you get the chance to actually meet in person, it feels like seeing a long lost friend.
10. You never have to worry about them moving away.
