Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Stranger Friends...

I've been thinking a lot about this lately. {Actually, since yesterday as I was headed to meet a so called "stranger friend"}

What is a stranger friend you might ask? {Humor me on this one}

A stranger friend is someone whose blog I visit, often. It's a friend, as in someone I know a lot about, but a stranger, as in we've never met.

A few years ago, this "term" would have seemed silly. I mean, how can you know so much about someone and they know nothing about you? Can they even be considered a friend if your relationship is one sided?

Hmmm...

Also, why do we {those of us who have open blogs} feel so comfortable to put so much of ourselves out there...for free?

Yesterday my husband and I were invited to "hang out" at the home of a woman who I have been "stranger friends" for just over a year. I found her blog when this crazy idea to move here first entered my little head.

Her name is Saratica.

Before we left to meet her, I got a little nervous. What if she doesn't match up to the friend/person I think she is? How weird is it going to be for me to meet her, knowing her beliefs in politics, religion and such...and me just a stranger to her? How will this work out?

"Oh Shawna...not to worry."

Everything was wonderful. She invited my husband and I in with such graciousness. Her 2 boys were handsome and so polite. Her husband was as funny and gracious {opps, that's not very manly} entertaining as she was. He whipped up a chocolate pizza for all to share and we talked and laughed around their kitchen table, just like old friends. {Yeah girls, I said a chocolate pizza, boy does he have a way with woman!}

Now I realize... anyone who has moved to this exotic land already has so much in common. We've gone through culture shock {which is REAL by the way}, struggled with a new language, learned a new currency and tried to understand customs that seemed so strange to us.

It only took us a few minutes to put a face with the commonalities...and we are no longer strangers.

This is the reason I have a blog. The more friends the better...if I can help someone with their stressful day with kids, finding a new recipe for the family, share a new perspective on a situation or just make someone laugh...I'm all for it!

Also, as I'm climbing my way out of a CRAZY day with 5 active {insane} kids, things seem less strenuous knowing that later in the week some "stranger friend" of mine might get a chuckle out of it.

Good day/night my stranger friends.

And don't be afraid to leave a comment now and then. :)

I'm glad you're here.



2 comments:

Amber said...

That is so cool, Shawna! I lurk about a lot of blogs, and the people might think I'm some sort of cyber stalker. It's just that something about their stories, or writing skills connects with me. Your blog is great--I feel like I know you better now than when we were in the same ward!!!

Tica Macha said...

I am so happy you got to go visit Sally. She's REAL. Speaks her mind and will hang onto a mission like a pitbull with a bone. I really like her and her husband.
See, you already have friends where you live.