Friendships Are A Must

So as my friends know, friendships are very important to me. I get emotionally committed to someone very fast. That's just how I've always been. That leaves me open to hurt and very vulnerable, but it also allows me to have the opportunity have form wonderful friendships and relationships.

When I was younger I had five "best" friends. Even now I look back and see how that could have been possible. The definition of best doesn't even allow that. They were all really close friends at that point I suppose. Now that I'm older, a lot of those friends have moved away and we talk less and less. That happens as people get older but it's still sad. Now the person I count as my best friend is the one that I spend almost every day with.

But as I have gotten older and started to use the net, I've found another mode of friendship. I've found online friends that are just as rewarding as real life friends. When I was younger, I used to think only lonely people would be friends with people online. When I turned 18, I discovered the internet and actually made a lot of friends online. I used to be rather shy because of my stutter and making friends online seemed to be easier. Plus, I found that I could express my feelings a little better online than in real life. So I tended to hide behind the internet to express my feelings. But I digress.

I have found online friendships that have lasted years. And they have evolved to real life friendships and people have become as good a friend if not better than real life friends. I've found I can be more open and allow them to see me as I really am which helps me to be myself offline. Offline friendships turn into in person friendships (Danny and Shanna) and life partnerships (J) and life changing friendships (D). I love who I am now. My friends have helped me to realize this. I value friendships more now than I ever knew possible. So thank you to all of my friends, for helping to shape me into woh I know now.