I was thinking the other day how readers of our very erratic, but hopefully interesting blog, might assume that Helen and I are close friends.
Well, we are certainly friends – there is a genuine affection between us, we regularly send each other thoughtful and generous gifts, supportive emails and we share thoughts and ideas on our writing…
…but we have only met once, for about five minutes. We were both stall-holding at a Craft 2.0 market, so although excited to finally meet one another – the day was so chaotic and busy that we met, hugged and fizzed over one another for a few minutes…then later there were quick visits to one another’s stalls and that was it.
There is so much I don’t know about Helen, nor she about me. I don’t know stuff that friends know about one another, like where she met her husband, how long they’ve been together, what she studied at university. I don’t know her favourite colour or what she is likely to order at a cafe. I don’t know if she likes sushi or coloured stockings, like I do.
Yet, I do know her – I know what she thinks about motherhood, I know her tastes in poetry, I know a little of what she loves.
Ours is a very 21st century friendship, I think. We ‘met’ online – I actually forget how or where exactly now (can you remember, Helen?) We quickly became friends via email and blog comments, quite soon after meeting we had engaged in this project together.
I love the internet for how these connections can be made – I have made many friends through the internet now – some have been brief flirtations, others have evolved into deep and lasting ‘in real life’ friendships.
I know Helen and I will continue to get to know each other over time, and one day I hope to know her well enough to be able to give her order to the barista if I’m waiting for her at a cafe – in the meantime, her ongoing presence in my email in box and letter box is a wonderful addition to my life.
April 17, 2009 at 11:23 am
I love this post
April 17, 2009 at 12:02 pm
A lovely post. I didn’t realise you’d only met (in meatspace) once. Since starting to blog, I’ve also been surprised how many real and genuine connections you can make online, and hwo it can grow real-life community. I’m looking forward to meeting you in meatspace next month.
April 18, 2009 at 8:09 pm
It’s nice to be inpired by your blog once again. I love the way you write.xoxox
April 18, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Whoops…thats inspired!lol I wonder if I just made a new word???
April 19, 2009 at 9:18 am
Hee,hee Milky tea and cake at the cafe thanks – the journal says it all
Yes, isn’t it lovely how the internet can help you connect on quite a deep level so quickly. Sometimes it’s easier to bare your soul on paper (or screen) than it is out loud.
*mwah* to you!
April 20, 2009 at 8:48 am
Does that mean you never ever drink coffee???
Hmn – maybe we can’t be friends after all. Hee.
I love milky weak tea, too. Although I prefer the word ’subtle’ to ‘weak’.
*mwah* back at you, sweetie.
April 25, 2009 at 10:13 pm
i was describing this blog and you both to a friend the other day and i said i wasn’t sure if you had ever met or whether you were old friend “in real life”. and then this lovely post. i love the internet and the people it has delivered to me.
May 19, 2009 at 3:44 pm
I actually remember the first time you two met at Craft 2.0. I saw Helen SYW standing in front of your stall talking to you and I thought you obviously had known each other for years.
Yey the Interweb.