Take Me To The Water...

So today was one of those days that just puts a smile on this girl's face.

Last November a friend added me to a group on Facebook. I wasn't sure what to make of this group but she thought it would be a good fit for me and eight months later, I can say that I'm so glad she did. Actually...I knew just days after being in this particular group just how special it was, and very quickly, these women (97% of whom I've never met), became my sisters. Sounds crazy, I know, but it's true. We can bounce anything off one another and know that we're going to get an honest, LOVING, sisterly response. Sometimes we find ourselves virtually Laughing Out Loud. Other times, we are virtually crying with each other. Sometimes, all in the same day...it just depends on who posted what, and the responses that roll in.

Now I've heard a lot of people say that REAL friendships can not be formed via Facebook. Oh, but I greatly beg to differ. Since joining FB in 2009, I have been in FOUR groups that have resulted in truly genuine friendships. I've met at the homes of some people, have dined out with others, gone to concerts and plays with some, traveled across country, and can truly say that these people are my FRIENDS.

I will also say this...not EVERY group on FB is for EVERYBODY...at least not for ME. I was added to one group a while ago and not even 24 hours in I could tell that it wasn't the place for me. The vibe was just so negative, which was completely different from the other four groups that I'm in or have been in. I just can't be in a place, virtually or otherwise where people feed off of each other's negativity. So yeah, I very quickly found the "leave group" button, and it was "Exit, Stage Left" for this chick.

So, back to today.

Today I got to meet two ladies who are in one of the groups I'm in. So get this...we're sitting around talking and having a good time and I find out that most of us were meeting each other for the FIRST time! Can you believe that?!?

Here's the diagram: I'm "D", and I met with "J", "B", and "V".

"D" knows and has met "B" before today. "D" met "J" and "V" today for the first time.
"B" knows and has met "D" and "V" before today, and was meeting "J" for the first time.
"J" was meeting "D", "B" AND "V" today for the first time.

Yet...it felt like we've all known each other forever. How cool is that?!?

So yeah...REAL relationships CAN be formed via FB when you are dealing with mature folks with a POSITIVE vibe. And don't get me wrong...we're not all "Pollyannas" in the group. We are real people with real issues and have real discussions with each other. There's just something about the vibe. The right vibe makes all the difference.

So...the lovely pic that's posted here was taken after we left our meeting spot and "B" and I went to hang out at the beach. She and I are both "nature girls" so anyplace that SHE likes, I am SURE to like. Once again, she picked a winner. Although any time I am near the ocean...my "place of peace" is a winner.

Take me to the water...ANYTIME.

Now Let the DIALOGUE begin: If you're on Facebook, have you formed any GENUINE friendships there?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

(Day 10/21)