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.