Thursday, February 25, 2010

Real, Virtual or Imaginary

Lately, I have been thinking about friends quite a bit. And as I was thinking, it dawned on me that friends can be divided into three categories- Real, Virtual, and Imaginary. Of course, you're probably wondering what the heck I am talking about. Let me explain--

Real friends- These are people that are a friend through and through. They stick by you when the times are bad, they don't expect you to act perfect, they make sure you're OK when you aren't yourself. Real friends are a true find- when you find one (or many) you need to keep them.

Virtual friends- This is my term for the people that you meet online, that you haven't met in person. Many of us have lots of virtual friends- we know them online, and we may know a lot about them- but chances are, we wouldn't recognize them if they were behind us in a supermarket line.

Imaginary friends- These are people that can be either Real or Virtual friends, but what makes them imaginary is that they disappear. They may disappear from your life after a few days, or a few years. But, when things get tough or change, they don't stick around. You always won't know a friend is Imaginary- sometimes you think they're Real until they're gone.

Over the last couple of weeks, I have learned a lot about friends. I learned that, sometimes, when you meet Virtual friends, they instantly can become Real friends. And, I learned the hard way, that people you think are Real friends, are actually only Imaginary.

I was recently with a group of people who started out as Virtual friends- but what was amazing to me was how quickly we all became Real friends. And I miss each and everyone of them everyday. (And yes, I do think Virtual friends can be Real friends without ever meeting in person...)

Real friends are hard to find- and when you do find a Real friend, make sure that you are a Real friend to them, and that you keep them in your life in whatever way works for you.






7 comments:

  1. What a sweet post! It is amazing how quickly we connected in person. Have a great weekend.

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  2. Oh my gosh...i LOVE this post! I almost cried...but I maintained my composure! :) I am so happy we all went from being 'virtual' to 'REAL' friends. And I miss each and every one of you so much!

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  3. Awww, call me a sucker - I did cry. What a wonderful post. You made me see how grateful I am to have you, and the rest of the DDD and Twitter gals, in my life!

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  4. Guilty...I cried too!!!

    Jen don't forget, too...that friends can come & go like seasons..each one can serve a purpose for the moment

    I just sent u an email :)

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  5. Awww, this warms my heart! <3 I've been so busy with our storage & garage the last few days & was feeling out of touch with blogs & twitter & I'm so happy that I just sat down to read this post Jen!! I feel the same way about each & every one of you, my new, REAL friends! I love all of you & can't wait to meet up again in our very favorite place! :)

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  6. Thank you everyone for the great comments! They really mean a lot to me!

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  7. Where the HECK did my post go???? Let me try a 2nd time!

    I am finally catching up and reading your latest blogging post Jen! Good job!

    I love this post, and it's funny you posted it because I was just telling my BF's husband tonight, on the drive up here to Gatlinburg, all about "US!"

    Now, I will have to forward Slim Jim this blog post so he can see what I was talking about!!!!

    I am so excited about this summer and our girls' trip later in the year!!!

    LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!!

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