In 2017, I joined Twitter amidst (and in interest of) the wave of K-Pop washing over American media and entertainment. Following music groups, solo performers, fan accounts, news outlets, and other like-minded individuals happened. Like many of us living in the digital age, I did not think I would meet one of the most significant people in my life right now simply by clicking a button.
Loghan and I initially took interest in one another through a very large group chat. We began talking one-on-one, and that led to talking off of Twitter and on Instagram, Snapchat, and Facetime. Sometimes we would talk once a week, other times 3 times a day, hours at a time. We clicked and it was a connection that was so new to me as I’d never created a bond before that was digital and personal, but not in person.
It’s 2022 now. We are closer than ever.
A typical weekend call happened, and we talked about wanting to travel, and how we wish we could see each other despite a 60 hour work week, weekend jobs, relationships, and ridiculously expensive flights year-round. While this conversation was a sadly familiar one, the odds were in our favor, and a flight was booked.
I am not a socially-nervous person. I didn’t feel any nerves seeing Loghan for the first time in person. All of the friendship we had built prior to meeting was transparent and grossly authentic. She knew I am not perfect and didn’t play the role of trying to be. I was excited to see her. I was so astonished that something like this came to be in my ordinary life. Meeting my internet friend, pen pal, and close friend in person. We both wanted to make this happen and we knew we would one day when it made sense for both of us.
Meeting Loghan in person surprised me a lot.
Being with each other was an obviously unfamiliar experience, especially because it was very weird. It was very, very weird that we were both completely comfortable and didn’t feel differently. I was expecting this occurrence to be slightly uncomfortable, but it was not at all. This was a surprise. How could it not be weird, or even a little awkward? Where was the catch? There wasn’t. We are closer than ever. Loghan is visiting me in the fall of this year. I think being friends for 5 years contributed to why it wasn’t weird. It was amazing and reassuring that anything can happen.
So, if you’re thinking about reaching out to visit a friend or family member, do it. The bond can only be nurtured by the two of you and the experience will only be as memorable as you create it to be.