Thursday, April 30, 2009

Virtual vs. In Real Life


I've been giving a lot of thought to my "virtual friends" lately. As technology continues to advance it seems many of us have just about as many "virtual" friends as we do "IRL." (In Real Life for those of us who are still trying to figure out all of the abbreviations! I may or may not have taken almost an hr one night trying to figure one out recently! ;)

So I was wondering what you all thought about it. Have you met people IRL that you had gotten to know through the blog world?

Has it been absolutely wonderful? Soul sisters finally united in an actual hug?

Has it been sort of like reading a book and then watching the movie? Where you had imagined how they might look, how their voice may sound, how tall they were, etc. only to be completely shocked with who they actually are IRL?

I never would have imagined just how connected I would feel to some of you all back when I began this blogging venture. I'm sure pen pals of the past often felt the same.

So, what are your thoughts (or experiences) about meeting virtual friends IRL????

Blessings!

Shanda

Thank you so much for praying for our friends. These next few days are going to be difficult as they come back home without a child. (Especially just days away from Mother's Day.) Praise God that He never leaves or forsakes us...

19 comments:

011 said...

i've met 2 of my virtual friends IRL last year. We had known eachother online for about 4 years....and they both lived in Dallas so i flew down for a few days:) it was so much fun!

jerriann said...

I have not met anyone IRL, yet! But I know that someday I will. I do feel very close to the friends I have here. I think this an amazing tool to reach across the miles and know women and men from places you would never get to. God is so good.

I just started blogging in December of 08 and I do love it. Also, I just read your post about the couple and their daughter and yes my heart breaks for them and yes, I will stand in the gap with you and lift them and their daughter in prayer.

Mimi said...

I have met 3 blogger friends who I know are now IRL friends!

We never would have crossed paths w/o the blog world.

Gretchen said...

Like meeting anyone new, it can be daunting, but I've had wonderful experiences. I find that I'm "first date" nervous, but having so much background info is very comforting, and makes conversation easy and fun.

christy rose said...

I just entered the blog world this month. I am loving getting to know so many wonderful people from all across the country and seeing how God is moving in their lives. I am sure some day I will get to meet some of them some how. That will be very exciting. In this way technology is so wonderful!

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Haha...mine is backwards. I met you "IRL" before I discovered your awesome blog. ;)

Anonymous said...

Back in February, I got to meet a number of bloggy pals in person. It was fun and a little nerve-wracking. But it was so awesome to hug the mothers of children I have prayed for. The connections were THERE, and it was a memorable night.

L said...

I haven't met any of my virtual friends IRL yet but I sure hope I get to soon.

One I am hoping will attend God Chicks conference with me. So not only do I want to meet her, we are talking about sharing a hotel room for 3 days!

I think it's great how this tool that has so much negativity and can be used for evil has become a great tool for ministering and getting to know like minded sisters!

God turns everything for good!

Mommy, That's My Name, Don't Wear It Out said...

I've met a few of my birth board friends. We've known each other for about 3 years and know pretty much everything about each other. We had a girls beach weekend!! FUN!!!! I love them.

Jennifer said...

I'm not totally sure my virtual friends would really want to meet me - probably not the right idea but its where I'm at right now. I try to be genunine as possible on my blog but - all things considered....I don't make friends too easily and I wouldn't want to "ruin" a friendship. I really do enjoy my virtual friends, though.

Kathryn said...

Shanda, I'm amazed at some of the strong connections I've made with my blogging buddies ("cyber-sisters", I call them!) whom I've never met IRL. (And, BTW, thanks for decoding IRL!) (And, just in case BTW stumps you, it's "by the way".) :-)

There are many cyber-sisters whom I hope to meet in person, including Jeneil ("Autism in a Word") and Elaine ("Peace for the Journey").

And, I'm very thankful that you're a cyber-sister ... and an IRL-sister! :-D

Dawn Jenkins said...

I am lovin' meeting sisters-in-Christ in the blog world. I know one day I WILL MEET THEM!

MOMSWEB said...

Yes, it's amazing how blogging has opened up a whole new world for me with 'blogger buddies' and there are a few of them that I know I must meet IRL. I enjoyed my visit to your blog. Have a great weekend!

Sue said...

I've just popped onto your blog as I make my way through the CWO blogroll and I enjoyed your post!

I have met many of my online friends now as I've travelled around North America with my hubby from CA to FL to right in my own backyard.

For the most part, these friends are just as kindred spirits (if not more) than I found to be online and I look forward to wrapping my arms around more as God allows!

I love how the internet has brought together the Body of Christ in a new and fresh way!

God bless,

His Girl said...

I've now met a few bloggy amigas irl. though the first one was hard, now I just feel like it's the most natural thing in the world. totally recommend it.

especially if you're coming to my area ;)

Debbie said...

I met two of them two weeks ago, actually. It was great. Just like seeing someone I hadn't seen in a long time.

Still Learning said...

I have not met anyone I know through blogging. I wonder if it would be awkward? Would we be shy and self conscious? Would we hug and laugh like old friends? Hmmm. Many of my virtual friends are within 6 hours. Maybe one day...

Belinda said...

I plan on meeting 2 of my blog friends IRL on Thursday I am so excited.I am still wanting you to do a guest post so start typing sister.

Rachel said...

I've met two virtual friends in the last couple of months... totally by accident.

I have to say, it was really wonderful, after that weird, "are you so-and-so? I read your blog!" thing :)

Amazing how people can be drawn together - how prayer lists can be instantly circulated - and how miracles can be widely shared with technology.

I have been blessed by YOUR prayers for our family... and know that we'll at least meet on the other side of Heaven. Would be really nice to share a cup of hot chocolate on this side too though :)