Let’s be honest, some of the best people in our life are the ones we may never actually have met in person. You know, those magnificent men on their digital machines who pop up in our DMs with memes, emotional support, and unsolicited yet highly appreciated opinions about our life choices.
Yes, I’m talking about online friends. The ones who turn a bad day into a good one with, in my case, a single well-timed picture of Eben Elsebeth (thanks Paul ! x).
Sure, real-life hugs are great, but have you ever sent your online bestie a tragic story about how you tripped on air, and they responded with “OMG 😂😂😂” followed by “Are you OK thu??”? That’s true friendship right there. They care about you, but they also reserve the right to roast you.
The best online friends give you all the emotional validation with none of the awkward physical side. It’s a win-win.
Your real-life friends might send you an occasional meme, but your internet bestie? They study your humour. They know exactly when to send a video to make your Monday slightly more bearable. They can also end up tagging you in posts so niche and specific that you start wondering if they have a secret camera in your house.
Honestly, if online friendships came with performance reviews, these people would be Mate of the Year in the “Making Me Laugh When I Feel Like Crying” department.
One of the most magical things about online friendships is that they transcend time zones. While your real-life friends are sleeping, your internet bestie in another part of the world is wide awake, ready to provide life-changing advice at 3 AM.
Or, let’s be real, they’re just there to validate your poor decision-making:
You: “Should I text my ex?”
Them: “Absolutely not.”
You: “I already did.”
Them: “…okay, so what did they say?”
The best part about online friends is that they know everything about your deepest emotions and personality, but have no idea if you’re 5’2″ or 6’5″. You could be a chaotic goblin in real life, but in their mind, you’re an ethereal being of light and wisdom.
And if we ever meet in person? The first thing out of their mouth will probably be, “OMG, I thought you’d be taller!” Unless I’m wearing one of my Choos.
No matter where life takes you, online friends are nearly always there. Need an emergency pep talk before a big meeting? They’re typing. Feeling like you need to rant about something incredibly minor but emotionally devastating? They’re already invested; sit down and spill all the gory details; yup all the details…
Even if you don’t talk every day, there’s an unspoken rule: we may disappear for weeks, but the moment one of us sends a DM, we pick up right where we left off.
So, to all the online friends out there, thank you for the memes, the chaotic late-night convos, and the unwavering digital support. You might not be physically present, but you are emotionally present for me and for that I am grateful. And at the end of the day, isn’t that what really matters?
So this one is for J, K (thanks for the song choice), F and my rugby group mates especially Twinny and Paul.
❤️ Tag your favorite internet mate and remind them they make your timeline (and life) better.
Photo by Eddy Billard
