I had a busy week this week visiting with friends I haven’t seen a long time. Yet, even though we haven’t seen each other face to face, we have either stayed connected or reconnected thanks to social media.
In 2000 and 2001, I hosted the teacher of a school group from Germany. Christa Klie (and another adult) brought a group of their students (English as a 2nd Language) to our school for 2 weeks. I really enjoyed getting to know her back then and learning about another culture but over time we had lost touch. Her school email had changed and unfortunately many of her addresses were lost. This year she got in touch with our school and asked to bring another group and the plans were set up. The teacher she contacted let me know through Facebook that Christa was coming and then Christa found me on Facebook. Finally she arrived and we were able to visit one day. During a full day of shopping and visiting, we reconnected and shared good memories as well as making new ones! You would never have known that ten years had gone by and we picked up our friendship as if there was no gap! It was a wonderful day!
Also this week, we were able to visit with my friend Diane Cordell after we picked her up at the airport. Diane and I had been online friends for awhile and when we visited New York a few years ago, we met when we traveled through her home town. It was great meeting with her and since we had been online friends, it was as if we already knew each other. When she came for a conference in Charlotte, NC, we decided to take a day trip and pick her up at the airport so we could spend some time together. This week she had to attend another meeting which was held in my home town so we were able to pick her up at the airport again and spend the day with her. Since we stay in contact through Twitter and Facebook, it was as if we see each other day. After dropping my hubby off at home, I took her on a whirlwind sightseeing tour of my town.
I am so lucky to have friends like this! Even though we live so far away from each other, social media has enabled us to nurture our friendships. We can stay connected!
Do you have some long distance friendships that you nurture this way? How do you stay connected? Please share.
Original photos by Pat Hensley
2 comments:
Pat--I will say it again. Although I am not sure how old you are, I can imagine the ballpark figure, and your bright, smiling face seems to have shrugged off a few of your years. You look maaaahvelous (said in the voice of Billy Crystal).
My family had a girl from France live with us for a year when I was a senior in high school (via AFS). It was an incredible experience. Life-changing, in fact. Virginie has been back to the US several times, and I've visited France twice. Although a decade might separate one visit from another, we pick right up where we left off...
@Sioux You are SO good for my ego! LOL I'm glad you keep in touch with your French friend! Life is too short not to nurture our friendships (even long distance ones). Thanks for reading my blog and leaving a comment!
Post a Comment