I know I'm coming into this conversation a little late. However, I have to say that while most of my e-mail and IMing are related to my family (far-flung and no one close by), I have made at least 2 very close friends on-line, one of whom I have met only once, but with whom I exchange e-mails two to three times a day.
You see, after I got pregnant with my 2nd child, I got involved in a pregnancy board, with women all expecting a child the same month as me. Oddly enough, through various flame wars and group permutations, I am still involved with a core group of about 20 women. We write pretty much daily, about all the little things in life. In the olden days of my mother's generation, maybe I'd be on the phone all day long with my gal pals, but instead, I exchange e-mails. From this group, I have become particularly good friends with two of the ladies. One, who lives in Quebec, has probably moved beyond whatever is defined as on-line friend, since we visit about 2 or 3 times a year, and have vacationed at each others houses. Another, who lives in the states, I've only met once, but she is now probably one of my closest friends.
So yes, you in my opinion you can make friends on-line. And to come back to the question, I'd say I have one best friend who is on-line only. I'm not one to use the phrase lightly either! Besides my spouse, I'd say I don't have any "best friends" IRL, at least not here. All my "best friends" are from university, and mostly, we keep in touch with e-mail.
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branchandroot
Yes...
Date: 2005-02-23 11:03 am (UTC)You see, after I got pregnant with my 2nd child, I got involved in a pregnancy board, with women all expecting a child the same month as me. Oddly enough, through various flame wars and group permutations, I am still involved with a core group of about 20 women. We write pretty much daily, about all the little things in life. In the olden days of my mother's generation, maybe I'd be on the phone all day long with my gal pals, but instead, I exchange e-mails. From this group, I have become particularly good friends with two of the ladies. One, who lives in Quebec, has probably moved beyond whatever is defined as on-line friend, since we visit about 2 or 3 times a year, and have vacationed at each others houses. Another, who lives in the states, I've only met once, but she is now probably one of my closest friends.
So yes, you in my opinion you can make friends on-line. And to come back to the question, I'd say I have one best friend who is on-line only. I'm not one to use the phrase lightly either! Besides my spouse, I'd say I don't have any "best friends" IRL, at least not here. All my "best friends" are from university, and mostly, we keep in touch with e-mail.
-Ally (wife of Ted. You know Ted)