Huhm, truth be told, I've met a whole lot of people online, and I have some of them who know more about me than people that I see everyday. I happen to meet my best friend online, yeah we were strangers, but as time went on, we became very very close. Even though we were in same town, we didn't get to meet until after about four years. It's been about six years now and we've seen each other some couple of times.
But then again, it's really funny how you've never seen can become a very important part of you. You become so close that you pour out your heart, fears, secrets and all. I can't deny the fact that online friendships has now become a big part of our lives, they've helped filled up some spaces. I have had some friends online who check in on me, encourage me when I was down, sent goodwill messages to me when I was sick and I have even had some who has even helped me financially, without seeing each other face to face. You know, there's this kind of joy/happiness you get in knowing that someone somewhere listens to you, help you, care for you, advise you and all without judging you based on looks, background and the likes.
So, about if it can really replace face-to-face friendships, I doubt that. Online friends are good, still there are certain things they lack, I have a lot of them so I know. There are times you might just feel like hugging them for a particular deed, word, advise, there are times you might just feel like to hangout and all. That is when it will all dawn on you that a physical presence is also needed, one that goes beyond just the screen. There's a different kind of feeling you get when you're both close to each other and online chat can't capture that. There are times I chat with my friends online and during the conversation or after, I do wish they were staying somewhere close,maybe we could just meet up in 30minutes time and go eat out, or just go grab suya somewhere or just go visiting when I feel bored at home.
Both physical and online friendships matter. Online friendships, even though it can't give that physical presence isn't less real. Yes, connection don't always depend on distance, but presence, and there's a different kind of presence they offer too. Talk about messages, calls, the advice, the love, the help and all.
If I should meet any of my online friends in person, it wouldn't really feel that new, it would just make our bond much more stronger, the only thing it would add to the picture or to our story is the faces. So, even though online friendships can't really replace face-to-face friendships, they've helped prove a fact that genuine friendships is about the heart. And sincerely, the most genuine and heartfelt friendships begin with just an hello/hi from someone miles away. So, here I am, saying....Hi.
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