My on-line friend was discovered purely by an accident of good fortune. The unique ability to communicate with strangers was at the very least a culture shock for me. Because I did not know what to expect, I was less than candid with many of my contacts. To this date, I remain somewhat guarded but I have found that true friends can indeed be found on the net. Only by truth can the truth be found so when you take a risk with your feelings, you may be rewarded as I was by real friendship.
Cirrus Nine



46 and over
Female

There is a dear friend that I have met on the net, who has always been there for me. Listens to me when I have troubles, and helps with them with suggestions. This person laughs at my jokes, and kicks me in the behind when I need it. I never thought I would meet a true friend on the net, but to my surprise that came into being. To honor my friend I placed his name in my book that I wrote. So if anything has come out of the net, I would have to say it was the birth of a wonderful friendship, to a person who means the world to me.



Male
46 and over

Well I did meet a friend on-line with whom I developed a unbelievable friendship. We spoke for about 4 months before finally meeting in person, she lived 250 miles from my home. We knew it wouldn't be a romantic relationship from the time we met, but we grew closer and closer over the 2 year period that we knew each other. We would meet every other week just about, this went on for close to two years. We both knew the end would come as she was suffering from terminal cancer. No one else in the chat room in LOL knew it tho as she was a very private person. No one there had even seen a pic of her. Then one day this winter she suggested that we should take a cruise since time for her was running out. I agreed and we booked a cruise on the Carnival Line. We went to the Carribean together and spent 7 days basking in the sun on the ship, well as much as we could since she was in a wheelchair but it was a great vacation. Three weeks after we returned, God took my friend from me but I know she is no longer suffering and that she went willingly to meet her maker. I will miss her forever and think about her everyday. Good bye Betty, now it's your turn to look out for me !
OttaGuy



46 and over
Female

I have never had a male "friend". Then a few months ago one of my high school classmates contacted me via email. We started talking on ICQ and it was just amazing. We can talk about anything, share the joys and problems in our life, laugh and cry together. I know he will always be there for me the rest of my life. He has shown me that men can be honest and truthful, supportive and understanding. He has enabled me to see myself differently (or maybe as others have always seen me) and appreciate my strengths. Now the surprise to all this is we were in high school together over 35 years ago! Destiny, fate, whatever can sure do strange, unexpected, and wonderful things to your life. It gave me a best friend.
Helen Smith, giraffe@cyber-west.com



46 and over
Female

I have met a precious woman, one of my pen pals. We hit it off right away! She is a Christian, something I should still be, but I am working on that. I love people, giving , doing everything I can to make the person happy. It just seems that she is the same way!! I love her dearly. My husband keeps pushing me to learn to use the computer. He works nights, so he wanted me to be able to use it, and talk to other people, and I have found that wonderful friend! Thank You.
Linda bush at pepper1@281.com

I met my best friend while we were both in the Navy stationed aboard the USS Simon Lake. Her last name was Langford, which was my maiden name and when we first met we talked about the irony of both of us having the same last name and the spelling of it. After she had been on board for about 6 months my husband had to go to Bayonne New Jersey for 9 months and I asked her if she would like to move in with me to help with rent, etc. She agreed and after a couple of months we went to visit her family in Virginia and they took me in as one of their own and we did some checking in both of our family trees and it turns out that she is my distant cousin. So I have been blessed with a best friend that was like family to me and it turns out that she is family and we have been best friends for 13 years.



36-45
Female

Until a year ago, I didn't have any idea of what an on-line friend was; I love both my off- line and on-line friends and I often think about how wonderful it would be if I could meet them face to face. I'm originally from Georgia but moved to North Carolina 3years ago... last August I began chatting with a man from Welland Ontario ... I moved up here in November after he came to see me in October and asked me to marry him. Well, I've already told about meeting this wonderful man from Ontario but I would like to go on to say that we just got married this past May 8th. Its the best thing to ever happen to me and I'm so glad that I met him. I've always heard that God works in mysterious ways; who would have thought that God could even work his miracles over the Internet? But besides him, I have made other Internet friends and every morning, I go on-line to wish them all a great day just to let them know that I care about them. I got this survey from a girl in Texas whom I have never met, but I feel like we've been friends forever and I look forward to calling her "friend" for a long long time.



36-45
Female

About 20 years ago I lived in Pa.where we had two baby goats. Baby goats sound like children when they cry and being that the baby goats were being bottle fed they cried a lot..I kept seeing this lady every day walking these two little kids, a boy & a girl past my house..I really thought she was a nosey neighbor!! Well one day the nosey neighbor finally stopped with the two kids..See she kept hearing the goats cry and thought I was neglecting a child.We started talking and found out our two sons were in kindergarden together, so we would walk them to the bus stop and we would either go to her house or mine for coffee..Well this went on for about 6 months when finally she told me she hated coffee and I told her I did too...See she was drinking it cause I was and I was drinking it cause she was..We became very good friends..I went through a divorce and she was always there for me..I moved from PA. to Md. and we still are the BEST OF FRIENDS..WE just met a couple weeks ago. She drove half way and I drove half way and we spent the day together having lunch and walking and talking having the best time.And after 20 years we are still Best friends and now thanks to the internet we can share a lot more..My friend is the greatest and I hope everyone has a friend as dear to them as I do..

My nickname is "MissPriss" I have only been on-line for about 7 months...but I have found that it is an incredible thing!!! 6 months ago I wandered into a chat room, unknown to me that is where I would meet my Best Friend...Yes "LittleMissy" you know who I am talking about..*giggle*. She is an incredible person, we have grown to be really good friends over the last few months.. She has been there for me when I thought no one else was, she had made me face reality when I didn't want to. "LittleMissy" knows just what to say and how to say it. We have found that we have so many things in common, sometimes its a bit eerie. She and I can say the same things at the same time, do the same things, think the same things. I thank God everyday for whatever it was that took me into that chat room that day, "LittleMissy" has changed my life, she has her own place in my heart now and that will never change. Many people don't understand how "on-line friends" can become so important to someone..and I guess until you experience it for yourself there are no words to completely describe what it is like..Let me just say, there is always a shoulder to cry on or another person to laugh with, they are the most dependable and understanding special friends you will ever meet. They take you for who you are not what they want you to be. "LittleMissy" and I have actually talked on the phone so in a way I guess our friendship has progressed to a more RL perspective, I haven't had the opportunity to meet her face to face yet, but I know that when I do, she will still be the Best Friend I have ever known... I want to say thank you LittleMissy, for all that you have done, I am always here for you, you know that. I hope our friendship continues forever!!!! You are truly the best person I have ever had the opportunity to know.. You have made a deep impact on my life, and I love you for that.
MissPriss



26-35
Female

I would like to share with you a truly special friend that I had the good fortune of meeting 10 years ago. A day has not gone by that I don't feel the love of our friendship. He is the kind of person that will smile, just to see me smile. When I cry, he is there to wipe away my tears. When I am scared or confused, he is there to tell me, "everything will be alright". He has been there through all my ups & downs, yet will never take credit or recognition for the things that he does. He is truly one of a kind! I've told him how important he is to me and how much I appreciate all that he does & all that he is, but I'm not sure he understands the extent of my gratitude. I feel truly blessed to be a part of his life & he a part of mine. I would very much appreciate it if you would post this as a thank you to the best friend I could ever hope for...Darrin. My confidant, my sanity, my angel. Thank you for your support & all your years of unconditional love. You are the true! meaning of the word "FRIEND!"
Bunny



26-35
Female

My story is dedicated not to one friend but to a chat room full of friends...some of these friends have meant more to me than others but in general have all helped me in one way or another...at the time that I began chatting on-line I was going through a very difficult divorce after 14 years of marriage....these friends have lent me an ear...a shoulder to cry on...and have also shared in my joys in recent months..these people have taught me what the true meaning of friendship is...and also made me realize what I need to do to be a true friend...I just want to say that whoever thinks that on-line friends can't be true friends...its just not true..these friends accept you not for what you look like...what you have.. they accept you for who you are and that's the true meaning of friendship. Love all of you guys!! Buttercup4u



26-35
Female

I met Crystal in November 1997. We visited on the net and on the phone. Then one night I was in her hometown and thought that I would like to meet her, so I gave her a call and we met. It was instant best friends. We called each other more often and got together mostly on a weekly basis. Whenever one of us is having a difficult time we know that all we have to do is pick up the phone. I now live a bit of a distance from her now so the net and the phone keep us in touch and we visit in person as much as we can. I can honestly say that I've never had such a fast but yet so deep of a friendship before. Thank you Crystal for coming into my life and being my best friend!

I had a friend who NO matter what I needed to talk about, he was there. I confided in him things that only he knows. He was my best friend and was my protector. If I needed a little boost of support, he was there. If I needed someone to listen to and cry on, he was there. He was even there when I had problems that I couldn't tell even my parents. I say had because he works many jobs and has since moved away. I see him every once in a while, but we just say hi and such. But I can say that he was my best friend.



19-25
Female

I've have met the 2 greatest guys on the internet. They live far away from me but we talk every day on-line. We have called each other a couple of times, and we are going to write over the summer. We all go to college and one doesn't have a computer at home so we will be writing to each other. We can talk about anything, I'm really grateful to know them. They are the greatest!



19-25
Female

I met my best friend when I was 13 and 6 years down the track I am proud to say our friendship still lives on and is growing stronger each day. Many people had doubts that we would remain friends for such a long period of time since we are total opposites in everything...clothes, music, taste in guys (which is a good thing)....people ask me how is it possible that we remained such wonderful friends if we had nothing in common but the reason that people couldn't understand our close bond was because they weren't looking hard enough, they couldn't see that we did have something in common and that was we both knew how to laugh. Every time we would see each other we would be laughing and having fun, we never took ourselves too seriously and accepted each other's differences and faults, which is what I think kept that strong bond between us. People make mistakes and friends will always make mistakes but you have to learn to shrug your shoulders and accept that we're all only human! and we can't be perfect which is what most people are looking for....that PERFECT friend who will never slip up or do anything wrong, but I'm afraid they are searching for something that does not exist, nobody is perfect, people have to learn to forgive and forget. But most importantly my best friend and I have trust which is the key to any friendship, without trust you have nothing. If you don't trust the person with your life then that person is not a friend but merely an acquaintance. We have shared 6 years worth of good times and bad times, of laughter and tears, we have guided and helped each other through the hard times. Our footsteps have always been side by side never behind or in front. I've loved her & I've hated her but I've never given up or abandoned her, and I know it goes both ways since I haven't exactly been a flawless friend and I'm sorry for that. I love the fact that I could leave for years and not see her (it would kill me though) and know without a doubt that when I return she will still be here for me waiting with open arms. She is my guardian angel fallen from heaven. Thank you Helena for all that you've given me and taught me through the years and for always being there and I'm sorry for all the times I let you down. I love you with all my heart and soul. Forever Friends.
LJ



19-25
Female

I have one TRUE friend and his name is Kevin. I met him about five months ago and in those five months he has been more true to me than any of my other friends. He's been there for me to laugh with, cry with, and pray with. I can and do tell him everything and he does the same with me! This special friend of mine has a brother who is becoming much of the same. They have become my "FAITHFUL FRIENDS."



19-25
Female

I had recently been back home to India for a holiday. It had been three years since I had last seen my family and my best friends. Anyway one of my best friends is a really great person, she is extremely intelligent, beautiful, entertaining and has a very easy going personality. She gets along with everyone and everything she does, she does it beautifully. Since we have been friends for 13 years my family knows her quiet well. She visits my family often and treats them like her own family. She is like a sister to me and a daughter to my parents. Anyway when I went there I saw that everybody would show more enthusiasm when she was there and the conversations in the group were more lively when she was present and she was just so loved by everyone. I was a little upset and I said to her 'even though I have come back home after three years they are not as happy to see me as they are to see you, everyone now loves you more than they do me'. So she said 'it doesn't matter! to me whether they love me or not, what matter's to me is that you love me and no matter who comes along I love you the best of all'. I had been feeling pretty miserable until then, but when I realized that this special person loved me so much it made it worth being home.

I really never had a true friend until I met Rusty. Rusty and I are very open with each other and I know I can go to him when I need him. I love this man with all my heart and I hope we can stay as close of friends as we are now in the future. I had never really been able to trust someone since I had lost someone I thought I could trust. Rusty showed me how to be able to listen and begin to trust again. I really thought I could never trust again, I thought wrong. Rusty if you are reading this: thank you and I love you with all my heart, if you ever need me you can reach me anytime because that's what friends are for.
Jennie Kerti
Akerti@dbs.com



14-18
Female

I have this really good friend we used to hate each other at the beginning of eighth grade but we got to know each other in the office cause we both got called up there for the same thing. We started talking and she said that she was gonna call me that night. I was shocked because we always hated each other even though we didn't know who the other one was. So we started talking a little and then before we knew it we became best friends. We are like sisters now and its really cool. She is a really good friend she has the qualities that I was looking for in a friend. I tell her everything. Her life is really hard cause her dad is abusive. But when ever she needs help she always calls me and I talk to her and try to keep her calm. She has two older sisters, 18 and 14. She is 14 also . I just wish she didn't live so far away from us but I still see her at school. WE have learned a lot about each other in the past 5 months and we are glad that we became good friends.
Kelli (sadeyes)
Kllrblonde@aol.com



14-18
Female

We were on our way to the cabin on a ski doo for an annual celebration for a friends birthday, two days before Christmas. I was driving my own ski-doo and my friend Elizabeth was on back with me. The next day it was getting late and the both of us had to get home so we left the camp earlier then the rest of the group. That was almost a fatal mistake- On the way home we ran out of gas and had to refuel. Two friends from a different cabin met up with us and gave us a hand. We all left around the same time only they were a couple of hundred feet in front of us. By this time it was dark out and both of our families were worried. Then the unthinkable happened, we broke through the ice and lost the ski doo at the bottom of the lake. We both had trouble getting ourselves out of the water, but thank God we both did. The two friends that were in front of us stopped to make sure we were still behind them, and lucky for us they came back when they heard us screaming. Our friends, ! Jane* and John* took us up to the nearest road, and flagged down two vehicles who rushed us to the hospital. Luckily we made it in time. It was freezing that night and I thought I was going to die of hypothermia, but I thank God every morning that Liz was there with me. Without her there to keep me focused, I would have just laid there for dead. And till this day I still believe that Jane* and John* are my angels sent down from Heaven. Our friendship has never been stronger, thank you guys.
Amanda



14-18
Female

Well about two years ago I met my track coach in the fall of 1996. I thought he was just going to be like any other track coach, mean and have you run until you're legs were about to collapse. But I was really very wrong! IN October of that year I hurt my hip really bad and was very very upset. Yeah some of my friends were there for me but they didn't know how to relate to the problem and they didn't try to so whenever I talked about it it seemed like they got really annoyed. Well my track coach was the only person that realized how much I was hurting and the pain that I was in. One afternoon I got so upset and he saw this and pulled me to the side and asked what was wrong. I started crying and told him how much pain I was in and how I can't deal with my hip pain anymore. Well this guy turned out to be the only one who tried to relate to me and who really made a major difference. Without him there I'm not sure I would have made it through that difficult time in my life since my friends did not really try to help me out. Unfortunately he moved away and I can't really talk to him anymore. It's now about 2 years later since my injury and I'm still in a lot of pain, mentally and physically, with my hip. However, this track coach has kept in touch with me and makes sure that I'm alright. Without this guy who I thought was just like any other, I would not have made it through last year! I sometimes still feel alone, but knowing he is still there for me and really cares, makes all the difference in the world!
Lilmacks3@yahoo.com
(Lilmacks3)



14-18
Male

I have a friend that is very special. She is there when I need to talk, and she keeps my life very happy. She knows more about me than I know myself and I love her. When she is gone my life seems to fall apart. She just recently left for a 10 day trip and when bad things happened (which they always do) I had to keep them inside. The 10 days were hard to get through without her there and I then realized how much I need her and although we are just friends, I feel closer to her. Not a boyfriend, or someone to date, but a friend. Some say that your wife should be your best friend. I don't think we will ever be more than friends, but if by chance we do cross that line, I will be there for her and if we don't.... I will love her as if she is the most important person in the world... Because she is.

14-18
Female

I once had a male best friend. His name was Ed. Its been two years since I have talked to him. We used to fight over really stupid things. But nothing so big that it ever split us apart. We had a strong friendship. I have a boyfriend of almost 3 years now. When I started dating JP, I didn't realize that I was drifting from Ed. I didn't see it until it was too late. Now our friendship is no more. And I miss him so much that it hurts me everyday. All I have left are memories and thoughts of the way things were. I wish I could go back and do so many things differently. But I can't. I want so much to get that friendship back, but I don't know how. I wish I could just pick up the phone and call him but I am so scared of what he will say. I don't know anymore. I am so lonely without him. Ed, I will always LOVE YOU. I am forever SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love Sara
Dodi



14-18
Female

It was our first day of High school. Lisa just came from another school and I just came from the Junior High. We were at the gym at lunch watching people participate in the root beer Races. (You get a cup full of root beer and you have to see how fast you and your team members can drink your cup of root beer. The team with the least amount of time wins) Since these friends of mine needed one more girl they picked Lisa. So Lisa and I were in the root beer Races and had a blast. Of course since Lisa and I were so slow to gulp our Root beer our team lost. But in the end Lisa and I both won in the long run. For about three years now we have been Best Friends. Through family deaths, family hospital stays, our friends funeral. You name it we have been there for each other. I just want to thank Lisa for all the great times we have had together and all the great times I'm sure that we will have. Lisa, Love ya like a sister cause Best Friends are Forever.
Kimberly (aka Spring.)



14-18
Female

I have a Best friend named Kelly!! I love her so much! WE are just alike, we talk the same, look the same, and think the same! I thank God he made us Best friends because we are so much alike! If he did make us to be best friends I am grateful for that and I just want Kelly to know I love her and I will never stop loving her!! She has a special place in my heart next to my boyfriend, God and parents!! We have been Best Friends for a year now and we are getting into high school and we are both really nervous about it!! But we will be there for each other so I'm really not that scared!!! So I just would like to say that kelly is the best person I have ever met! I love her lots!!!!
Christina



14-18
Female

I am only 16, still 'just a kid', but I have a story that I believe deserves to be told. As is becoming a common thing, my parents are divorced. It was a hard ordeal for the entire family. But that is a different story. The story that I would like to tell is about 'my savior'. Though I'm sure she doesn't know it, Ashley Mack has saved my life on many occasions. When I met her on the first day of school our freshman year she was 'the new girl'. We were in gym class and on our way to lunch I asked my friends if they would mind if I invited her to sit with us, they said that they didn't care. So I invited her to sit with us. The next Sunday at church, I saw her and at the same time we said,"You're Mormon?" We were so excited. We have been friends ever since. We have been through a lot together. She helped me through the divorce. We have cried together, we have laughed together, but most of all we have been there for each other when we thought we were alone.



14-18
Female

Last year I met this guy named Thomas at my brother's junior high school. We became really good friends. He use to tell me how everyone always picked on him and made him feel awful. Thomas also told me that I was the only person that actually made him feel good. We hung out a lot and got to know each other better. We exchanged letters about things happening in our lives. Since I was in high school, I only got to see him after school. I always made the time to go there. During the past eight months, I began developing feelings for him. I didn't realize it until about February thanks to my brother. We got into arguments since I began getting jealous every time he talked about other girls. Then in April we both told each other that we liked each other and we started going out. We promised to stay friends even after we broke up...Thomas is very sweet, understanding, honest, kind, and trustworthy. That's why I'm glad he and I are best friends and more. He's the best!!



14-18
Female

I am 17. I grew up with my b/f. I have known her since I was a baby. She was from the wrong part of town. She is now 17 and has a child. That child has taken my place in her heart. But that is her taking the responsibility and I will always be there for her as long as I can. But I am Infected with the AIDS virus. I don't know how to tell her. I have learned life goes on. So make the best of it. Friends are the most important part of life not including blood[family]. Kelli I will miss you!! and I love you!



14-18
Male

My best friend's name is Jenny. We met last year at the start of school. We have been best friends since then. We have helped each other through some tough times and we always managed to get through them. I know I could not have done any of it with out her. She is a nice person that treats everyone really nice and knows what friendship is. She may not know this but she is one of my first real friends. Before I met her I was really depressed and unhappy. After I met her everything was pretty much uphill. Everyday at school she managed to bring a smile to my face some how. No one else could do that for me. I actually became happy to be me because of Jenny. Another thing, she really likes to get and give hugs. This is the nicest person I have ever met. Thanks Jenny!
Winkie (Firemouth)



14-18
Female

I am a 17 year old who has a very inspiring story of friendship. When I was in grade 7 and 8, ages 13 and 14, I was very hard on myself and did not like myself at all. Many people in my class made fun of me...and one, Kandi, who was the leader of the popular group made fun of me a lot. I went to the hospital every monday for two hours to get help, because I had developed the disorder of suicide. I hated myself and wanted to die. But, the people in my class and Kandi never knew how serious it was. One day, the school counselor took Kandi aside to tell of how her making fun of me is becoming very serious...we hugged in the hallway after school when we went to our lockers...I cried...the teasing was finally over. Eventually I learned to love myself. I learned that my mistakes were what made me different from everyone else. I knew I could be myself and if someone didn't like me, it was their loss because I knew I was a good person. Kandi and I became friends...and ever since last year we were best friends...she has been there for me for many things in my life...the happy and the sad. I wouldn't know what to do without her...she is my best friend and her name is Kandi. I cherish her friendship every day, even in the fights and bad days and moments, I love her. It's ironic that it was her that caused me so much pain before, and now...she gives me the greatest joy.
Amanda :o)

I have a best friend who's personality is almost identical to mine. She is not my age (I'm 13 and she's 35), but we still are best friends. We both enjoy the same things and can talk about anything. She is very understanding and encourages me daily. You know how sometimes when you meet someone you know you were destined to meet them? This is how I feel about her. I feel very lucky to know her and I hope we will always be good friends. I love you Michele!!!
CLBiscuit
CLBiscuit@aol.com