So, the stigma about internet based relationships is dwindling fast… at least in my circles it is. I’m surrounded by people who met through online dating, blogger + friends = BLENDS, and people who have made friendships based on common interests and through social networking connections.

Sure, friendships started on the internet might seem a little strange to your grandma, (Hey! Nothing against your grandma, really!!) but it is becoming the norm, as our world continues to shrink into a global neighborhood, where finding a blogger you like is the equivalent of having a face to face conversation with someone as you both reach for the same book at the library. So, in an effort to further eliminate the stigma about these types of relationships and friendships, I thought I’d put together a little list of some people who are super awesome that I was introduced to because of the internet.

6 Cool people I’ve “met” on the internet.

1. My Lola

contact: message boards first, then emails, then trans-atlantic flight

Lola and I met on her website early in the new millennium… It was a Star Wars fansite for young women, mostly… Laugh if you must, but trust me… we’re awesome. And the site was HUGELY popular. It focused a great deal of it’s attention on the wardrobe, and costume designs of the films, and was very artsy and awesome. Through talking on the boards regularly, I eventually became a mod, then an admin, and eventually, we were talking more via email, im, and video chat than on the website. As lola’s interests changed and began to focus more on her artwork, (HAVE YOU SEEN HER FREAKING ARTWORK??? Click, Click, CLICK!) the website fell away, and we were left with a deep and lasting friendship. I’ve written about lola before, several times, she’s closer than a friend, she’s my sister!

Summer of 2009, I went to Spain to speak at the international association of special education conference in Spain, and was able to spend a few weeks with her, and “my spanish family”… We’re already thinking about how we’ll get to each other’s continent again soon, and without the internet, I’d never know her.

2. Heather

contact: Then Heather Said her super blog! Then texts and emails, and eventually a meet up in my home town!

from thenheathersaid

Heather is a blogging maven, and social networking diva extraordinaire. She has a gift for engaging people on her network through blog comments and tweets, which is endlessly endearing. I’m not sure that we met through our blogs, but during the 2009 blogger secret santa, Heather drew my name, and discovered that her family lives, LITERALLY one street over from me in our neighborhood. So when she came to visit, and we planned a local blogger get together, we realized that we had a great deal more in common than just our address. She’s wonderful, and I’m so glad to know her. I deeply hope that we continue to get to know each other more.

3. The Book Club…

contact: nationally based newlywed message board, and eventually, email.

From here via weheartit

Ok, this is a little bit of a cop-out, I KNOW, but I can’t list them all individually, or you’d never read anything else I wrote again. I have about 15 or so ladies, who I email DAILY… and not just a couple of emails, but DOZENS of emails daily, as we talk about our love of books, and eventually, our families, experiences, and dreams. These girls are AMAZING. One is one of my favorite people and we actually share another circle of friends too, so we meet up as often as we can and talk about tons of amazing things. One was my secret santa and hand delivered an amazing box of goodies this year. One girl is the object of my ultimate girl crush, as she’s a teacher, just like me, and loves YA lit even more than I do! One is the mother of an absolute princess, and exhibits kindness at every turn. One is a fierce pole fitness enthusiast. One just gave birth to the most gorgeous triplets. Still another is writing a book with a tie in to a love of music that makes me grateful for her brightness in my life. There are more, but you get the point. These ladies are unique, SMART, and so compassionate to each other. I’m so grateful for this support group, because we’ve truly become great friends even though most of us have never met.

4. Nicci

contact: bloggy love, then meetups in our town!

Nicci is one of the very few bloggers who actually lives in my home town! We’ve been awfully busy lately, and I wish I could express how sad I am that we’ve not been able to hang out more lately… but I know, at least for me, that our time apart hasn’t zapped any of the affection!! We are able to keep up to date with each other easily due to social networking sites like facebook and twitter. I feel like we’ve barely been apart because we share “likes” and comments on each other’s updates al the time! She’s really great, and I know I never would have met her, if it hadn’t been for the internet!

5. Trinity

contact: blogs, work, and meetups

Trinity is amazing. Like, seriously. If you know her, you’re better for it. PERIOD. She’s brilliantly intelligent, and clever. A teacher as well, we have plenty in common, not to mention her love for wholesome food and yoga. She introduced me to the yoga studio that I call home, and that has subsequently provided me with SO much growth and knowledge. Like Nicci, I haven’t been able to spent very much time with Trinity lately, which breaks my heart. My early bed-time, combined with my location on the opposite side of town makes it hard for me to meet up with them often, but I think about our handful of outings fondly ALL the time. I’m so glad that the internet brought us together!

6. Sarah Lane

contact: blog, and, like, literally a gazillion social networking sites (cause that’s kinda her thing)

via Sarah’s awesome flickr

This is a bit of a stretch… cause I don’t know Sarah very well, but she’s a great example of a cordial and pleasant acquaintance that is super common in today’s web based human interaction. Sarah is a tech maven, has worked at several awesome tech outlets, but always brought a bit of artistry, and creativity to her projects. It was that extra piece that lead me to keep up with her endeavors, as she moved about. Through the last, I dunno, few years or so we’ve exchanged a handful of silly emails, RT’d awesome cat photos, and annual birthday smiles (as ours are a day apart). She’s just good people. I’m moderately confident that we’d be more than happy splitting a block of cheese and a barrel of wine if the occasion ever arises.

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Honorable mentions:

My class of DFW knotties

contact: national wedding board, followed by emails, meetups, and eventually facebook

From here via weheartit

So this is another one that’s a bit of a batch maneuver, but there are several dozen women, who I’ve known now, for 5+ years who met on this wedding planning board. We’ve all separated into smaller factions, and my switzerland status has kept me neutrally connected to most of these ladies over time, which I’m SO grateful for. These girls are funny, and have become a regular part of my friendship circle. I’m very glad to have them, all, absolutely.

Think about it, really think! Do you have any friends that you made online that you never would have met otherwise!? If you blog about them, please let me know, I’d love to read about it! Or let me know in the comments.