From the UK to Florida and Back Again

I was born and raised in New Jersey but sixteen years ago, I relocated to Florida. Not a day goes by where I say, "Gee, I miss snow!"

I was nineteen years old and already had my first son. It was time to make the college plunge which meant becoming acclimated with a computer. It wasn't long before I was typing like a pro and getting to know what being on the World Wide Web meant. I also met my first online friend and we've been close ever since.

All these years later and a handful of visits from his family who hopped on a plane after scoping out the many flights to Orlando from the UK, we're still buds.

I remember when he met his wife and he, my husband. We each popped out some kids and the rest is history. Through the powers of Facebook, we chat all the time and scope out each others photos of family and friends.

Two years was the last time we were all together, in an Orlando restaurant. We've sort of made it a tradition to go to the same Mexican place each time. We laugh until our stomachs are in knots and drink beers over chips and salsa. Two years. When I see how much their son and daughter have grown, it baffles me.

People who question if online friendships work can stop wondering. They do. I'm proof of that.