Now, everyone is online. (Everyone but Ray… an whole other post). My husband’s grandpa is on Facebook. People use twitter, Facebook, find blogs… connect. I have these great bloggy “friends” that I share my heart and soul with every few days. But, if they walked past me on the street – I might not recognize them. This is the world we live in.
Four years ago, it was not like this. It seems like we have lived in this “internet friendship” world forever, but I know that is not the case. Because – I remember explaining my internet friendships – when it wasn’t cool.
4 years ago (almost to the day now) – I found our I was pregnant. And… shortly after – with twins. Although I was excited, I was SO scared. There was no twitter that I could just put in “twins” and find people. I didn’t read blogs. I used Facebook, but only with people I knew in real life. I had NO online friends. None of my friend had online friends. No one I really knew had online friends. It wasn’t really cool.
**Disclaimer – If you’ve had online friends for 5 years or more – no offense intended.**- I’m talking late 2007 / early 2008. And we live in the sticks… so it takes people longer to accept things where we live. I just remember trying to explain to people how I was sharing my secrets with “friends” I never met…
I remember coming home and doing a Google search for twins. I came up with a lot of Baseball stuff. I searched Twin Support…. and I found this amazing site. Twins Magazine – I thank you. For introducing me to some of my best “forever” friends.
I “met” these girls. All pregnant with twins – just like me. I remember the day I lost my ankles. My knee just suddenly became attached to my foot with a tree trunk. I came home – logged onto the message board, and discovered my “friend” Joanna had lost hers too. So had Marsi, and all of the others. Whew… I was not alone!!! I remember when I had to wear my bedroom slippers to school because I could not get a pair of shoes on my feet and one of my besties in real life talked about how she wore high heels through her entire pregnancy. I logged onto the message board and realized that we all had outgrown our shoes. Whew! I was not alone!!! We celebrated the births of our children together. We struggled through the first few months together. We bonded. We shared. They know more about my family than some of my family members. They were my rock.
I remember trying to explain this group of sisters to my In Real Life family and friends. They all looked at me like I’d drooped off the deep end. Now, life is different. People accept that you can form friendships with others online. You can make friends and share the secrets of your heart – but at that time I was considered a bit freakish among my friends.
Thank you Twins Magazine. I don’t know how I would have survived without those girls. I have met some of them…slowly, but surely. One lives only an hour away – and she is amazing. She stayed with me on Mother’s day when I had Alexander. (What mother leaves their own children to come be with a friend?? A true friend.) One set up our entire conference to Utah after we found out about Alexander’s diagnosis. One offered her home and transportation for me to attend my first Blogger conference. Again… these are significant events in my life. My twin Moms have been a part of each of them.
Today was no exception. One of my twin sisters of the heart drove down here to meet up tonight. I can’t even describe what it is like to finally meet someone who knows all your secrets but has never seen your face. I think it was probably weird for her husband, because I could have probably told him his life story. And she could have talked to Ray about basically anything in the last 4 years of our lives. It was magical. Thank you internet. Thank you world for catching up. For realizing that friendships can transcend physical proximity. That friendships can be more than physical time spent together. For giving me my twin mom anchors. When I am lost – they always tend to ground me.
I had Online Friends – When Online Friends Weren’t Cool. Here are some pictures of our families meeting the first time:
Her son is so cute – he should be on a Juice Commercial. He reminds me of the kid on Jerry McGuire
No lie… Addison has a new best friend. They were inseparable. They even said, “I love you” to each other. Of course – Alexander loved it all…
Did I mention there was a train that drove around the mall? Extreme coolness..
Time for the Family Photos:
Good… this is the best one.
We are losing them. Notice Marsi is parenting while I continue to smile at the camera.. Yeah- parent of the year 
And gone! Some are picking things. Some are running off. Some are just plain miserable. Again – I’m oblivious.
I am still cautious. Some online personality could really be a 60 year old man with bad intentions. But, I am so thankful that I have allowed the possibility to exist – that the internet was meant to bring people together. Because… the internet has brought me so many amazing relationships. Thank you.
Once again… Shell – I love to Pour My Heart Out.
I am a former teacher, turned SAHM. I have 3 children. The twins, Andrew and Addison, turned 3 years old in October. I also have a 1 year old baby who was born with a very rare chromosomal disorder - Wolf Hirschhorn Syndrome. The good, the bad, the ugly.. all here. Because this blog keeps me from drinking.
I’ve had online friends for 15 years (WAY before it was cool). A few of them I still talk to, and two of them I got to spend the weekend with a couple of weeks ago and meet their kiddos. SO cool. It is weird to end up sitting next a person who knows your whole life, but you’ve never even hugged in person. But I find that it’s very easy after a couple of awkward moments. Thanks for sharing!
jenn @ so this is love recently posted..from two lines to one
I know!!! It is weird for about 1/2 a minute. Do we hug? Shake? or what? Then… bam – you know everything about me! I only ever disliked one person I met “online” ….. and I should have seen it coming. We just have different views on too many things. Oh well. Thanks for stopping by. And…. I’ll keep looking for 2 lines for you. xo
That’s so wonderful to find supportive friends even when it’s online. Those pictures are just too cute
Maureen | Tatter Scoops recently posted..On Taking Chances
Girl… I laughed at about 20 things over on your blog. And – I love my online friends. But, even now – my in real life people are like “facebook?” – great. “Twitter?” – weird. oh well… WE are trend setters
Love my online friends. In my “business” world, there was such a strong force of we girls on Twitter that had formed a bond that I labeled us the “Broads Who Tweet”.. better known as the #BWTs
We’ve actually had two weekend conferences where we go away for the weekend and totally geek out, share best practices and drink lots of wine and coffee. Since putting serious efforts back into my personal blog, I am starting to develop the same type of relationships with this side of that you have described so well.
It’s a rush to meet people in real life, isn’t it? Honestly, it’s the only reason that I go to any conferences either professional or personal!
Kristen Daukas recently posted..Love Notes for Wordless Wednesday
Broads who tweet? love it!!! yeah… I love my twin mommies. and I love my wolf hirschhorn mom friends. And now – my bloggy friends – know some of my deepest secrets. And – your work on your personal blog is paying off – funny post!
I love this post and the Internet for the possibility that it gives us all to me cool people in other places! I would love to meet some of my blogging friends in real life, because I feel like I know them better than some of the people in my real life. It’s weird.
Jessica recently posted..Facebook Friends
How weird is it that we posted exact opposite “feelings” on the same idea.. and both understand the other so completely. I totally get your need to back off and be you for you. And I feel certain that you totally get my bond with these girls. Love it!!
I met some fantastic ladies in a chat room when we were preggo in 2000!! We never had the opportunity to meet IRL…we were ALL over the U.S. and we have since lost touch but it was a priveledge to g o through our first pregnancies together.
Robbie recently posted..Toxic People
Yeah. I remember when I first logged in. Ray wouldn’t let me put pictures of me online. Or pictures of the kids. And the same with Facebook. Now look… he’s sunk. we are everywhere
But – it was so comforting to not be alone during that time.
I met my husband online…in a chat room. Eight years ago. It was not cool at all. And I met several people that lived in the areas that I did. And I have met many wonderful people online that are mommies, etc. And its great.
you are so right with the then and now about online friendships. It seemed kinda magical back ‘then’ huh?
Amory/Irish Twins Momma recently posted..Blogger alikes?
I love that you met your husband online! It is still a little “taboo” – even though it is better. And, seriously – what does it matter to anyone how you fell in love? Anyway – yes… completely magical.
Kristen I So understand this…..True story.. My sons are gamers they joined this on-line game at some time when they were in high school and played this same game for years- Matthew still does with the same group of young men. At the time I didn’t have my blog, didn’t quite understand the relationships that could be forged by all those hours and years of chatting it up on the computer.
When my son Eric died in the accident, Matthew walked over to me in the church at the funeral in tears and pointed to a group of young me sitting in the back of the church, guess who they were? The guys they’d been playing that game with, they’d all gotten together and come to my son’s funeral. They had traveled from various states to pay respects; leaving Matthew in tears. Believe me… I never doubted how on-line friendships bonded people together and I was so truly touched by them.
jen recently posted..from my kitchen- Irish Soda Bread
oh. I love you, Jen. You are one of the bloggy friendships I value the most. You know… when we found out about Alexander – my twin mom friends sent me a collective check of around $700. From people I never met. So we could go to this conference and learn about his syndrome. It was a dream come true because it paid for our hotel and stay out there. And they just did it. So – I know what you mean. I don’t doubt for a minute that his buddies would come to his side. BTW – I’ve been meaning to say – I love your collage.
My online friends are pretty much my only friends…between twins and work, I even communicate via facebook with my neighbor, sad but true. I too can’t imagine life without my twin moms. Finding that message board was one of the best things to happen in my life, oh yeah and the twins..:) I love all my twin mom friends and even though I will probably never meet most of them face to face, they have become my closest confidantes.. also, I’m still waiting for my ankles.
Listen. We all know that I’m like your bestie
As you are mine. When I can’t deal with anyone else… I know I can call you – and love it. you are right…. finding each other was such a blessing. (I notice James didn’t make your list – did he piss you off tonight 
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my ankles never came back either. Dang-it
My online friends have gotten me through some really rough spells. They were all right there praying when I had my emergency C-section and had my guy spend two weeks in the NICU. I have to say I love my “imaginary” friends just as much as my real life ones!
Diana @ A Little Bit of Life recently posted..PYHO – What have you done for me lately?
yup! Secret? I can tell when I am slipping into a bit of a depression because I can’t even talk about life to my online friends. … true story.
I know exactly what you mean – I also had online “friends” before it was cool. Like, as far back as 2001 uncool. My online evolution sort of parallels my maturation process. When I was single, I was part of a football message board (boys!). During my wedding planning, I was part of The Wedding Channel. TTC? The Bump. Then I was part of a private pregnancy forum. And then I found blogging, which is, IMO, much healthier than message boards, which tend to deteriorate into pettiness and drama – even my private forum, which I’ve since left. Blogging, I think, tends to be “healthier” overall.
Anyway, I used to keep my online friends secret, like I was leading some sort of double life. But now I just talk about them as if they’re… well, friends!
P.S. My daughter is totally going to marry the son of one of my online friends. We’ve already arranged this.
Kristin @ What She Said recently posted..Don’t Let Google Make You Their Bitch
I love that blogging is a bit different as far as online friends. There were a few quacks with the twins message board …. and you are right – sometimes there is cattiness. But with blogging – if you don’t like someone – you usually just move on. My kids are pre-arranged with my online moms. Andrew is headed to Florida and Addison is going to Jersey.
I’m with you on this one! The community I have found in other bloggers and moms has been amazing! IT’s gotten to the point where the time I spend online isn’t to connect with people i know IRL, but those I don’t. All of you are the best and I’m not sure what it would be like if I lost my blog. On that thought (since my google mishap is still stinging a bit-perhaps a move to WP is in order?)
yes. go to WP!!! If you go away, I will be LOST! I love reading your blog and … did you see I just followed you around commenting the other night?
When I was pregnant with my second (2006/2007) I somehow wound up on baby center after searching an article. I found a birth board for women expecting in August 2007 and quickly found a group of ladies that liked crafty things and scrapbooking. We eventually left baby center and started up our own group on Facebook. I have never met any of them (most of them live on the west coast and a few of them have had meet ups) but I still feel like I know them so well. And sometimes, when I am telling my husband a story, I will start with “Julie said….” and he looks at me and says, “Who is Julie?” and then I sheepishly explain she is one of my online friends. He shakes his head. I feel a little like some recluse in the basement.. but then I laugh and realize it is the nature of our world today. And I am so glad for it, because I love those ladies and their children as if we were real life friends.
Jennifer recently posted..If Buddhists are Correct, I Will Be Awesome in My Next Life and DJ Will Smell Badly
Oh. Ray is so tired of hearing about people he doesn’t know. and “I don’t know either.” I try to tell him that I do know them… but – he doesn’t quite get it. Oh well…
Very true! You need these connections, and I am glad that you were able to find them- even in the “sticks”!
sara@domesticallychallenged recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Why I Do Not Cook
Listen. Everytime I go to your blog I laugh harder and harder. I know I’m supposed to be replying to you – but … this is all I have to say. I love your blog because it is always just awesome!
Oh yes. I’ve been online blogging, tweeting & facebooking since 2006. And I remember how difficult it was to explain my internet friendships to my real life friends. And I’ve cherished the opportunities I’ve had when meeting my online friends IN real life.
meleah rebeccah recently posted..My Daddy and The Paper Towels
Yes- so true!!!! and I’m so glad that you are around here now! I go check out almost all your retweets because I know they will be great.
I used to explain it like having pen pals with whom you could communicate very quickly. My mom got dial-up and AOL my senior year of High School and I immediately searched for the things I couldn’t find at home. Polymer clay was the first thing- I’d picked it up at camp in the summer but it wasn’t even carried in our craft store! AOL’s polymer clay forum became my creative refuge; the one place where people understood my artistic problems, admired my work, stretched my creative limits, and best of all they treated me like an equal rather than some bothersome kid. When I attended a polyclay conference two years later (funded by a summer job as a craft director) I was able to meet and personally thank several of my online friends and swap partners and it was amazing. It was a no-brainer when Carson was diagnosed with WHS to search for support online- the world’s a smaller place here! I’ve been blessed to meet a couple of my “voodoo box” friends out in the physical world and it’s amazing. Maybe we’ll meet someday!
That is a great way to explain it! Also… I love that you became “online” through clay. Did you know I have a potter’s wheel? I love clay….
Tim now knows who all oi my “twin moms” are, and most of the time he doesn’t even have to ask. Every once in a while when I talk about Kristen he has to ask which one…. but he knows all of you are my twin moms
So glad We all found each other!
I love Twin magazine!!!! I discovered that site when I was pregnant with my 2nd set of twins and became such good friends with the group of women who were also due with their twins at the same time as I was. We all still keep in touch on FB now and they are amazing! We helped each other through some really rough times (sleep deprivation, illnesses, divorces, etc).
I’m so thankful for the internet. I would feel completely lost without it!
Helene recently posted..Is your willy bigger than mine?
I love online friends.
Since I am now online (and practically anonymous), I will admit that I met my husband online. My family still thinks we met at a bar…technically we did actually meet for the first time at a bar…
Melissa recently posted..App Gap
I started with online friends in 2005 with MSN groups. Oh, the venting and oversharing. It was awesome.
Shell recently posted..4 Crazy Texts When Mom Is Away