irl friends vs online friends

There’s this thing about online friends vs. IRL (in real life) friends….and it kind of has this tone that your friends online aren’t real.

But I beg to differ.

Where maybe once in our lifetimes it may have seemed weird to meet people online or cultivate friendships or relationships over the World Wide Web….I think these days it’s become a lot more acceptable.

I’ve been realizing that not only do I love and adore my IRL friends….but that God has abundantly blessed me with my friendships that have come about because of this blog or online communities.
And those people?

Um, ya. They Are REAL.

They have the same real struggles we do.
They are living and breathing and doing everything they can to figure out what their life is all about.

And when I need a friend who gets me, what I’m going through…I have an incredible community.
In real life and online.
And I’d be lost without each and every one of them.

I love that the Interwebs (that’s what we call it these days, right?) has brought us all closer together.
We feel less alone.
We are loved more.
Accepted often.
And we have a family and a support circle bigger than we could have ever dreamed.

So when I hear IRL friends vs. online friends, I don’t really think there is a difference.

Because where would I be without Danielle and her random sweet texts (and birthday flowers!!!) in just the moments when she has no idea I need them?

{danielle and i at blogher. you know, IN REAL LIFE.}

How would I know Trina, who gets my tender (sensitive/emotional) heart because she was born the same, and together we can be in prayer for each other. Because we have both given our hearts and lives to Jesus. I adore her.
{pictures to come of us one day, when we finally meet!}

And then there’s Ruthie (my long lost sister…we’re still questioning our parents about a possible missing link.)
We can make each other laugh on days there is NO WAY we believed a smile was possible.
Possibly because when we talk, we’re back to being 12.

And Morgan….oh how I love Morgan. We have similar hearts and desires and when we met on the dance floor at BlogHer 11, I knew she was meant for me.
In a non stalker way, of course.
I can’t wait for the day we get to hang out again and get our groove on once again.

And then there’s Kathy, my first blog friend, who understands my humor and well as the pain of losing an amazing parent…

{way way back years ago when we were such young innocent gals}

And Tonia who can make me laugh in seconds flat…

And Angela, who inspires me both spiritually and thrift store-ily.
(and I get to meet her at the end of this month! watch out thrift stores!!!)

And of course, there’s Laceyloowhoo, who goes all the way back to the beginning of time (blog time) with me…and our emails could become books they are so juicy. We know each other. We get each other. We are both living and dealing with the same stuff.
{we will meet, ONE DAY. And then I will show those pictures too!!!}

And my sweet Lizzy. Who is my text therapy and dearest friend, and I love her even though I have yet to physically lay eyes on her. But we have plans, totally non creepy plans to meet up quite soon. haha

And most recently, Adneris Diaz, who shared her testimony with me after I had shared mine on the blog, and we bonded.
And I know that at any moment for any reason from this point on, we can connect for prayer and support.

And these amazing women?
Are only the beginning.
There are so many more, more of YOU, that have touched me and my life.

Trust me when I say these are real people.
My true and dear and treasured IN REAL LIFE friends.
We may have connected online, but they are forever a part of my heart and my story.

And I thank God every day for His hugs through them.

These chickas are just as dear to me and just as much a part of my life as anyone I know IRL.
Because we have lived life together, connecting through nothing but truth and honesty and complete vulnerability.

It is an incredible blessing.

One that should be embraced.

We are living in a new age, and I love it.

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Comments

love, kate says:

January 11, 2012 at 1:27 pm

awww. i love this! i trust my online friends more than my in persond friends… only because of certain circumstances i told you about!! have a great day love!
Neri says:

January 11, 2012 at 2:37 pm

It is beyond amazing to see His plan unfold. You are such a blessing!!
Kimberly says:

January 11, 2012 at 5:23 pm

I couldn’t agree more! I feel like starting my blog when we moved to a new state was God’s perfect timing because I instantly had online friends and I didn’t feel so alone. Honestly, I’m closer to my blogger friends than my IRL friends…and I feel so blessed to have them! 🙂

http://www.pennypincherfashion.com
Lace says:

January 11, 2012 at 5:38 pm

Love this & love you! WE WILL come face to face one day!
Trina says:

January 11, 2012 at 5:52 pm

Oh I heart you so much! I totally agree! I love my online friends! You especially 🙂
Morgan says:

January 11, 2012 at 6:34 pm

You are so precious! I can’t wait to hang out with you again! I love your love for Jesus and your honesty. You, my friend, are a breath of fresh air and I can’t wait to hang out with you again!
Elizabeth Marie says:

January 11, 2012 at 6:55 pm

Love you, and am so thankful for you you have nooooo idea!!!!!!
Mama Kat says:

January 11, 2012 at 10:29 pm

Oh the good old days! You are so loved Miss Summer. So so loved. 🙂
Angela says:

January 12, 2012 at 2:54 pm

Darn RIGHT those thrift stores better watch out!!! =^) CAN’T WAIT!!!!!!!!!
categrat says:

January 14, 2012 at 10:12 pm

Aww you are too sweet thank you for including me!! I haven’t had any blog energy this weekend but you’ll be in my next for sure! much <3 Ruthie