Bigger Picture Moment: It's Real

Welcome to Bigger Picture Moments, a weekly writing event sponsored by Bigger Picture Blogs. We welcome you to join us in finding the Bigger Picture amidst the hectic, everyday craziness in your week.  Maegan at Madeline Bea: Life Set To Words is hosting this week, and Corinne at Trains, Tutus, and Tea Time is hosting next week; link up and share your moment with us!  All are welcome!

You know how you click with some online acquaintances more quickly than others?  Like you're more similar than different, and in perfect understanding of every word they write?  Or maybe their family reminds you of yours, or their experiences are SO vastly exciting compared to yours that you can't wait to read their thoughts every day?  There are people you meet who just beg to be known better, and blogging makes that relationship so much easier to find.

This is where the rubber effects of blogging hit the real-life road: friendship.  I think I've mentioned this before, but one of the reasons I started a blog in the first place, was to make friends.  And ladies?  I've officially made friends!  Let me tell you about one in particular. 

Emily is thoughtful and well-written, kind and creative.  We've known each other online for...what...about a year now?  A year.  And over that course of time, we've grown a real, deep friendship that's surprised me in so many ways.  Mostly in the fact that someone I've never even met can become so dear to me. 

Imagine my good luck: Emily and her family are traveling through the Midwest on their way from Sicily to Japan (quite the pit-stop!) and came to my house for a visit a few days ago.  

And here's where I freaked out.  

A friend -- a kind, smart, lovely friend -- was coming over, and I was nervous.  What if I fell into my always-feared awkwardness and had a red face for the entire visit?  What if our families didn't mesh well?  What if I sounded daft and hickish compared to her articulate, intelligent self?  Justin told me that I'd been exhibiting symptoms of freak-outery for three days before her visit.  I tried so hard to calm down, but...this was probably going to be my only chance to see her for at least a few years.  Japan is a looooong way from Missouri -- I had to make it count.

I reminded myself that Emily and I were close for reasons that went beyond my social awkwardness.  We were friends -- real friends -- even before we'd set eyes upon each other.  Meeting in person would be no different than our on-line friendship.  It would just be louder.  Perhaps huggier.  Perhaps....better? 

Yes.  Better.  In person, our conversation was unstoppable and genuine.  I'm told my face never reddened in embarrassment.  Our families were instantly comfortable.  Emily was even sweeter and more welcoming in person than I'd expected, and I wanted her and her family to move in next door at their earliest convenience.

We watched each other's kids with sighs of contentment, eyed our talkative husbands with pride, and I saw the way her face became animated when she talked.

 

And I got to hear her laugh.

Blogging friendships are real.  Whatever may be thought of blogging and its supposedly narcissistic undertones, it's valuable.  It's a way to connect.  It brings people together.  It's real life.

I can't wait to see Emily and her whole, wonderful family again -- we decided that we've got to meet once or twice more before she flies off to another continent, and I'm counting down the days.  This time, I promise (to you all, to myself, and to my poor, put-upon husband) not to freak out.

Now, tell me: has blogging brought you into any deeper friendships?  I hope so!  But if you're still looking for new friends, might I suggest a visit to the other participants in this week's Bigger Picture Moment?  You can't go wrong, there!