Yes, I met an internet friend this week at a coffee shop in the city on a rainy day. I survived both the trip and the get-together, and it was awesome!!
If you think that sounds adventurous, the first time I ever met an internet friend, I flew across the country to stay with her family, roadtrip with her and another online friend, and attend a conference ... all over my 19th birthday. (Oh, and we hooked up with like ... five other writers that most of us had not met in person?)
Not only did I live to tell the tale both times, but we also had a really nice time. Beyond that, never was it awkward for me. (Yes, this was surprising because I am a somewhat awkward person when it comes to human interaction.)
So to give a brief overview, here are some of my thoughts:
So to give a brief overview, here are some of my thoughts:
- You can have real friends on the internet. Listen, this makes sense. If friendship is based on things like common interests, upbringing, and personality ... shouldn't it almost be easier to find such people online than in real life?
- You won't know until you try. AKA you might like them online and not in person, but there's only one way to find out. If you do get on in real life, this is how you cement your friendship.
- Yes, it's still the internet. While it's got it's perks, of course you should be smart about internet friendships. Not everyone actually wants to be your friend. But once you find someone you really enjoy keeping up with online, you'll see what a light such a person can be in the darkness of a very bizarre internet.
- This is just the newest thing. Yes, internet friends are a newer thing, but they're so cool!!! And, really, how is this different than writing to a stranger like people used to do? At least I have the internet now to do research on them if I'm worried.
I'm very grateful for all of you, whether we ever meet in person or not. :)
I haven’t ever met an internet friend in person but I would love to so much!!! Including you, of course. ;) <3 (And Hailey, and Mikayla H., and Jesseca, and... ;P)
ReplyDelete~Katja L.
Yes!! That would be so cool. <3 <3
DeleteMeeting internet freiends is the best thing ever. I met two of my best friends through the web. I am so glad we were able to meet up! I hope we both get to go back and see our friends in W soon. =)
ReplyDeleteLove this post. <3
Thanks, Mikayla. I'm glad we aren't as far apart as some internet friends! :)
DeleteI'm really super new to this sort of thing, but I have to say that you're right - internet friends are treasures! I've never met an internet friend in person, but it would be awesome to, I can tell you that! :)
ReplyDelete~ Lily Cat (Boots) | lilycatscountrygirlconfessions.blogspot.com
They certainly are! I hope you get the chance to meet an internet friend in person one day!
DeleteI have some really GREAT friends that I've met because of the internet. You have to be careful even with real life friends. Sure it's a little more dangerous at times, but I've never had a problem ... I think it just takes some common sense ;)
ReplyDeleteketurahskorner.blogspot.com
That's so great! And you're so right--even regular friendships take discernment.
DeleteInternet friends are such a blessing from God! ♥ And yep, I've met my Internet friend, Faith Potts, in real life! We had a wonderful time chatting about our painful books and drinking coco. :P
ReplyDeleteI forgot that you and Faith met up! It really is such a crazy wonderful thing ^.^
DeleteAll my friends have mainly ever been on the internet (#yesiwashomeschooled ;), and I have found some amazing friends in the blogging community. I actually have a friend flying from overseas to see me and I've vaycayed with another friend I've met online since 2012, so highly endorse internet friends. <3
ReplyDeleteHahaha, I relate xD Oh my goodness, that's so neat!! I'm trying to find an economical way to see all my friends all over the country this year ... :P
DeleteI agree with you. I've met some truly awesome people on the internet through various social media platforms since I was 13/14 years old. Even if I've met none of them, and many I don't even interact with anymore, I remember them all! And I heartily enjoyed their friendship and support through online means. As an aside, you are certainly high amongst my favorite internet peers. :D
ReplyDeleteYesss!! It's so crazy to think how many I will never meet in person, but how much they meant at one point or another.
DeleteAww, you're too sweet!! I would LOVE to meet you someday! Canada is on my bucket list <3
I love this! Some of my closest friends are ones I've met online and I'm so glad that I've been able to interact with them. I haven't really met any in person yet, but I hope to soon!
ReplyDeleteAhh, yes, I hope you get to meet some soon as well! I've been so blessed to meet some and have good experiences. It's a pretty neat age that we live in. :)
DeleteInternet friends are just the best. <3
ReplyDeleteYassss...I've met 3 of my internet friends. It really is amazing. <3
ReplyDelete