Why I heart Facebook <3

On By AngeliaIn In my heart forever & ever, Life is what you make it., Timeless Treasures

Let me count the ways……but first, would you care to join me for dinner?
I don’t want to be rude…….

Fantastic red wine, and a scrumptious salad from the local Italian joint. Mmmmmmm. Yummy, now where was I? Oh yeah.

Why I ā¤ Facebook, let me count thy ways. Yonder my true love waiteth on thee application of thine interest.

Whoops. I suppose I should start with why this is coming out tonight, rather than waiting until Valentines Day. Heck, I figured if the stores could start putting out Valentines stuff after New Year's, then I could tell my story weeks before Valentines Day. Besides, single people need to know. I need them to know.

My workmates were accusing me of not being able to keep up with my friends on Facebook. ME?? I talk to EVERYONE. Okay maybe not all of them, but I’d like to think – I know what’s going on. Some of the time anyway.

I have 600 friends. This is a snapshot of my profile. I have added who the six randomly displayed are in captions.

Now, before you get all judgy on me, that I couldn’t possibly know that many people. I’ll admit. I don’t. But the potential to know them is there. If I were not friends with them, the potential to know them is gone. I would have zero interaction and zero chance of it. Make sense?

And I can hear you now…how can you be friends with strangers? Keep reading, you’ll see. It’s really not so different from blogging or making friendships in person.

From the display pic above, I know all of them except for one. Scratch that, I’ve met in person all but two of them. Cheryl and the question mark guy. That guy, I’m not sure who he is, but according to his profile. He is single. Most likely I became friends with him through this app.

Except back in my usage day, the pic was a smiley face. šŸ™‚

Here is what the info says for this application.

Are You Interested? is the leading social dating app to meet new friends. Click YES on people you like and find out who likes YOU!

Basically, a picture comes up tells you what state they are in and maybe some profile information. You click yes or no. They get notified. Then, your picture, and brief info comes up to them. They can then click yes or no. Yes is a match and goes in a certain place, so you can see those who LIKE you. Whooppee! From there it’s up to you what you do. Add them as a friend. Send them a message. Poke them. Or even forget it. You can even change your yes to no (do they know women or what?).

In all seriousness, this is mostly for fun. Because there is a LOT of weeding. Liars. Married guys. Turkey grooms (as in the country). Nuts. As long as you don’t take it too seriously, or get too offended. By being turned down, or grossed out by someone like Fester Adams clicking yes on you. It’s just FUN. If it’s not fun, for gosh sakes, don’t do it.

I became a member of Facebook somewhere around May 2007. I was invited by my Canadian girlfriend Michelle. At the time we were online friends from ediets. Later that year, we met in person at a thirty-something ediets get together in Ohio. We dubbed it Girls gone Wild – GGW. That weekend all she could do was talk about Facebook this, and Facebook that. And shut up already! Ha, love you Belle, but she must have got to me. When I got back home, I started using my Facebook account for serious.

I did what I do. I play with it until I figure it out. I obsessed. I was hooked. The games, the fun, the many different people from all walks of life. Some extremely interesting. Some not. Sometime later that year, I got my laptop.

I got on Christian Mingle. I used the message boards (except the Theology board-whatever you do- DON’T go there-shudder) to get to know people, rather than profile shopping. The relationships and dating board, he said, she said, and many more. Good people just having fun talking about anything. It’s really a much better way of getting to know someone by their interactions with others. Over 200 of my Facebook friends are Christian Minglers. Over a 100 of those, I have actually met in person. Making connections was easy because of my openness.

Now, that’s my Facebook and online history in a nutshell. I’ve been online a LONG time. I’ve been on Facebook a LONG time. I know everyone who is a friend, if not from school, work, Church or in person – then at least how I became friends with them and from which application. I cherish them all. I am interested in what they do and have to say.

Which brings me to the WHOLE point – some of you know – Jason was on Facebook in the early days. The days that myspace was all that and a bag o’ chips. I didn’t have one, neither did he. I had Facebook. People would say, “Facebook WHAT? That’s just for college kids.” I’d always add, “And Canadians! Who are way ahead of the United States. You wait, and see.”

Hmmm, Can I get an I told you so? My Mom has a Facebook. Myspace? (what?) Can’t hear ya now…but I digress.

My days on Are you interested? began around fall 2007, after my divorce. I was especially nice some days, and friendly. I clicked yes on everyone. I even clicked yes on a picture of UT (not even their face) which is INSANE because I am Boomer Sooner. ANYWAYS, that guy ended up being married although he posed as single. JERK! No picture? They are married! Please single people, use your common sense. But don’t be too paranoid either.

Some days I clicked no on everyone. Rather harshly I might add. Two time divorcee, it’s an ugly place to be and I’ll freely admit. I had guy issues. Mkay?

So Jason’s picture comes along, somewhere around Spring 2008. I was extra happy that day. I see this.

You know what I really see? A smiling person. Now he could be 300lbs, super hairy, wearing a pocket protector in the rest of that picture, but he was smiling. My ex #2 NEVER smiled in pics. He was Italian mobster cool, handsome, a tough guy, who would show no emotion. I clicked YES on Jason’s beaming smile. šŸ™‚ Who cared about the rest.

I don’t know if I added him as a friend, or he added me. Some days I was brave and added anyone, and everyone. Some days I didn’t. However it happened, and neither of us can remember. We became friends. At the time, it didn’t mean much. Anyone in your city had access to all of your Facebook page. Nothing was private. I could see his pictures. He could see mine. I got his status updates, and he got mine. Back then you couldn’t comment on status updates like you do now. You had to send a message and there was no chat. Friending someone was more of way of saying, I’d like to get to know you better.

We played games; wrestling, scrabble, friends for sale and (lil) green patch. We’d send Starbucks, hearts, and play quizzes. You get the idea. Banter, fun, and frolic.

His pictures were nice, but few. He wasn’t 300lbs but he looked short (from what I could tell). Cute girls (just babies). Nice house, that he had just bought. He told me right away he was separated and going through a divorce. My heart broke for him and his little children. Having just been through a divorce and many DivorceCare sessions. I knew all to well the pain of it. I was still raw myself, but not nearly as fresh and tender as his wound was. She wanted the divorce not him, that always makes it harder to get over.

He knew he needed time before he would date. I knew it too. Friends we could do. Come to find out, as we messaged off and on, out all the people from all over the world on, Are you interested? Jason lived 6 miles from me. What are the odds?

It never crossed my mind to meet him. We were just friends. I did meet a few other guys from, Are you interested? Yeah, they turned out to be REAL duds. Even worth some horror story post some day. God blessed the broken road. I figured them out quick. The signs were all there. If you don’t let yourself get wrapped up in the petty things (they’re so cute, sexy, funny, attentive, tall) then you’ll catch on to them. Have faith in yourself. Use your guts and instincts. If you have reservations, there is a reason.

Obviously Jason and I eventually met. That’s a story for another post. Come to find out, there are many Are you interested? success stories. How cool is that? I’ll have to submit ours.

My point, resulting from the conversation today about all my so called “friends” is this…. I would have never met so many great people had I not reached across cyber space and added them as friends. Like Jason. My love. My light. My incredible partner, supporter, and dear, dear friend.

I would have never met, Sandy. She is like a sister to me. I met her this last fall. She was a Christian Mingle buddy from the message boards, that I became friends with on Facebook after I left Mingle. There are many others the same way. Patty Lynn, Anita, Clyde, Stephen, Becky, Mary Lou, Shane, Bob and many, many more.

I opened my life to the possibility of new friendship way before the time of real “social networking”. It paid off in the greatest reward of all. My future husband. Think about that.

To this day, it’s the gift that keeps on giving. I make new friendships, and open heart doors all over. Twitter. Blogging. Catalogs, and clubs. It’s like God’s front porch. Along comes someone that he sweeps up to sit next to you on a rocking chair. Maybe you are little surprised and standoffish. You move back and forth sharing your banter watching the world go by, sipping some ice tea.

Next thing you know, they are an old familiar friend. You don’t know how you lived without them, and you can’t imagine how in the big wide world you ever even met them. How? When the world is so big, and we are so small. It had to be divine. Had to be.

My friends, if you are not social networking in a decade of social networking, you are missing it. Go see what it’s all about. It’s not just spam, and sales. You just might be surprised. Give it time. I didn’t start with 600 friends, nor did I start with more than 5 twitter followers. Be patient. Be open. You might meet someone that changes your life. Or maybe, you yourself, might change someone’s life.

Jason, thank you for smiling your way into my interested heart. I am interested. I am so interested. Interested in our life now, and interested in our future life. Oh, how I adore you. I am so glad you stopped to chat on my front porch. I am so glad I wasn’t afraid to share, who I was with you, and the online world. What I would have missed.

For all you fanatics – all things wedding – just launched wedding website http://jasonandangelia.com. This will be updated as we go along.

What’s your online story? And why haven’t you added me as a friend? šŸ™‚

Friend me on Facebook.

My Twitter.

Disclaimer-I have dated off and on online since 1998. To this date, no crazy has stalked me-well for long anyway-harmed me or my child in any way. Not saying it couldn’t happen, or wouldn’t happen. Just saying, it didn’t happen to me.

38 thoughts on “Why I heart Facebook <3”

  1. This is so funny I read this because I was introduced to FB by a Canadian friend whom I met from SparkPeople.com šŸ™‚ Can I just say I am addicted!!! Not in a bad way… I am so happy to reconnect with long lost friends and some new ones along the way. I’ve even become close with ppl whom I didn’t know that well in HS – good times. Congrats on your someone who changed your life!

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  2. Nice! Really nice story, I want to be updated!! I will not join facebook, All my friends are on facebook, even their children. I do not want to do that. The contacts I have and will get through my weblog is fantastic. But I am so afraid I will get addicted to facebook, and that I will do nothing more than checking face book. I know myself. I wish you and your soon to be husband, the brightest future there is! Will follow your journey!

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  3. Pingback: Why I heart Facebook <3 Ā« Living, Loving, Laughingā€¦.. | LATEST UPDATED BLOG

  4. Angelia,
    Hey, this is a wonderful story!! And look where it has taken you today – so great to read this! Angelia, you really have shown what being open can lead to – both in love and in life. I am honored to call you friend – here, there, and everywhere!

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  5. suzicate

    Nice story. Ask my sister how many of her prob 1000 FB friends she knows. It’s funny, she’ll ask me who they are. I’ll tell her why do you friend people you don’t know. She friend requests them if they’re from our hometown. She cracks me up. She has always been a social butterfly while I’m a little more reserved and less trusting. I often wish I could be that outgoing.

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  6. What a beautiful love story. All the best to you and J. You guys look really sweet together. Um, I’m not on FB but if I do decide to jump in one of these days, I’ll be sure to add you šŸ˜‰

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  8. Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest! Nice story. Facebook definitely has its place in terms of socializing with people and reconnecting with old friends. I think, like with many things (i.e. video games, message boards, etc.), people need to be careful to not get addicted. Facebook is cool and can be fun, but it’s not life. You did a really good job of summarizing the GOOD points of Facebook.

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  10. Aww…what a great story! I have an FB and through it many old friends from high school have found me. It’s great to get updated on their new lives. It was also a good way to stay in touch with my daughter when she was away from home. I don’t usually add people I don’t know, but maybe I will have to start! I also have friends from blogville on there and it’s a good way to see more of their lives.

    Awesome story Angelia!
    ♥Spot

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  11. Wow, what a great story!

    I haven’t added people that I don’t know on facebook. I’m okay with blogging and message boards because there’s a degree of anonymity there, where facebook feels too much like someone could come stalk and find me. But, that’s just my paranoia coming through.

    stopping in from SITS.

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  13. That is a great story! Congrats to you. Facebook definitely has its pros and cons. I have gotten back in touch with lots of people from Facebook. Technology today is just crazy!

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  14. Angelia, your posts always bring such a smile to my face. I love social networking, I just wish I wasn’t taking away from my real life to do it. I’m fading from Twitter, I’m getting scarcer on Facebook. But I’m going to friend request you! I can’t believe I didn’t think of that already!

    And you so should submit your story to that application. They would love it!

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  21. What a great story! It really gives me some hope to meet #3. Good for you for putting yourself out there. I have a fair amount of “friends” on FB whom I haven’t met personally but I know all of them through my blog so they feel like real life friends. Now if only I could meet someone like Jason. Does he have an older brother?

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  23. Renee-That’s GREAT! We were on sparkpeople too. Moved there from ediets. When I first got on FB, no one from High School was there. NOW, most of them have joined. It is really incredible to see their families and what they’ve been up to.

    Ellen-That’s so funny! I understand completely. When I first joined, I was *very* obsessed. I enjoy it now, but don’t play the games or anything. It’s great to “meet” you on the web though! I enjoy your posts.

    Lance-I’m honored to have you as friend. You are definitely one of those special people God sent my way to be blessed by.

    Suzicate-Your sister and my daughter should be Facebook friends. I think Sydney has 900 friends. I asked her one time why she has so many. She said, “Mom, I don’t KNOW them, but I will get to know them.” I don’t know WHERE she gets it from ;-).

    Clairity-Thank you so much! It’s nice to meet you here in blogland. šŸ™‚

    Veronica Lee-Wow! 29 years, isn’t that amazing??? FB can be such a source of connecting new and old. I don’t think many people realize that. How wonderful for you!

    Elle-For sure! It can be life consuming if you let it, just like anything that turns into a hobby or obsession. Definitely good and bad points to keep in mind and use for the best.

    Jean-My new FRIEND! My daughter made me a myspace page. There were a few from there that hadn’t moved to FB yet. They have now. I really need to delete it, I am NEVER on there. I found it harder to use. So glad to have you as friend Jean!

    Spot-That’s completely normal! My daughter joined soon after me and I really enjoyed interacting with her. Often times her Dad and I see something going on with her on FB that she doesn’t tell us in person. We are immediately in the know. Back in my day, my Mom would have never known, so I love that aspect of it. But believe me, my personality is not the same as everyone and that’s totally cool!

    Shell-Nothing wrong with paranoia, if it makes you feel comfortable and fits your life. My story was different but I can be really outgoing. That’s the great thing about life and people. We are all individual and unique. šŸ™‚

    Meg Michelle-Thank you! It is. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it! šŸ™‚

    Dalia-It is crazy and evolving faster than we can keep up with. I have a computer I carry around in my HAND. Phone, ipod, internet, email- all in one. THAT is insane! Worse than that, I am probably not even using it to it’s full potential. šŸ™‚

    Carolyn-I think life is an ebb and flow of the technology we have on hand. It’s there when you need it, but if other stuff needs attention in your life, then that’s where you need to be. These days it’s always going to be there when you want to use it. No worries! I am only on there these days because of my iPhone application.

    JDaniel4’s Mom-Thanks much. He is. I got very lucky!!

    Michelle ma Belle-Yes, because you wouldn’t SHUT UP that weekend. Remember when we were going to play “everyone takes a drink when Michelle says Facebook”. Ya’ll would have been on the floor! Mine was alcohol free and I would have been fine. HA.

    Jingle-Thank you for the sweet poem!

    Josie-Awhhhh—–shucks! Thanks šŸ™‚

    lookielou-Thank you for coming by!

    Jessica-Love it! šŸ™‚ And Tim is the greatest!

    Jen-He has two. Happily married for a LONG time. Their wives know what incredible men his mom created. šŸ™‚ Except for one Ex, lucky for me. Jen they are out there. Keep looking my friend. Know what you want and don’t settle for anything less.

    Rachel-Thank you! I have countless stories of people that have radically changed my life because I met them. I am truly amazed and humbled by it.

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  24. I am sooo happy for you! Your life is wonderful! It can only get better, keep smiling! I LOVE all the photos! I love your energy! šŸ™‚ Keep us posted. I decided …a while ago, I can not devote my time to Facebook. I am happy you have fun there! šŸ™‚

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  27. Yeah, seeing possibilities is what life is about and listening when somebody shares great stories is what life is about as well.
    You are a real persuader, Angelia and good for you.
    AND I am your friend and you are mine on FB, long may we live and exciting, a wedding website!

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  30. I have a Myspace that I only go to maybe once a week, made one real good friend there. I got tired of all the apps and when I deleted the apps, no one wanted to talk about anything else. So I moved on to Facebook! There is still so much I about facebook I don’t know, but the chat is my favorite part. I also found a lot of family members, I hadn’t had contact with since I was a kid.

    I guess I don’t really put myself out there as much as I could.

    I love that you met Jason on Facebook!

    Just wanted to let you know, you have an award wainting for you at my place.

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  32. Did I tell you lately I love your header? It’s so joyful and fun. Don’t ever change it.

    Last week I committed to spend more time on Facebook. Technology overwhelms me and I tend to give up.
    ‘My hubby is going to show me how to scan photos tonight so I can make some updates! Thanks for the encouragement.

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  35. Doraz-Thank you so much! What a nice comment! I don’t play games anymore on FB. I jump on from my iPhone at a traffic light usually just to catch up on status updates. šŸ™‚

    Tina-Hi there! Nice to cyber “meet” you. I got you followed girl. I love making new friends!

    Steph-Weed, weed, weed. You never know, you may find a gem under all that trash. šŸ™‚

    Wilma-My long time friend. I know we do! Yes, it’s very exciting and I love sharing life. I’m so sorry I haven’t been by your blog. The headache zapped me of all concentration and I like to concentrate and really soak up everything you say. Feeling better so I’ll be by soon.

    Randa-Thanks for the comment! Hi.

    Morgan-Thanks! Right now, the date, place, and time are up. I have a photo album of us, the how we met, and about us story. It’s pretty cool.

    Heather-Thank you so much for my award! You are the BEST! It’s harder nowadays on Facebook to get yourself out there. Everything is private and people share scary stories. BUT I have made many life long friends from just adding them. So you never know!

    Denise-I love talking to my daughter on there. We’ve been friends since Day 1. I think you should totally get one! Your daughter will survive the horror of MOM being on FB. HA.

    Tess-You know? I was thinking the same thing. I finally tweaked my header to just where I want it. It makes me happy just seeing it and it really is what my blog is about.
    Tess, you are a natural social network leader, and encourager. I have no doubt you will succeed in your quest.

    Jaymie-I absolutely LOVE that. Thank you!

    Gary-Thanks Gary! Great to see you on FB! Mytown huh? Lol!

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  36. Lita C. Malicdem

    Owww how sweet of Jason beaming up to his ears. Handsome guy! He likes you! That’s all over his face. Can’t wait to see you two dress up in his groom suit and you in your dream bridal gown! How soon is soon?

    Congratulations !

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  37. I really enjoyed your story. I met my current boyfriend on match.com. So I can totally relate to your blog.

    I’ve been perusing your blog page which I’ve found through Gary and Jean. I love Gary and Jean. I met Jean over a year or so ago on Myspace. I still blog there too. I’m so addicted to reading and writing blogs.

    I’m trying to request you as a friend on FB but they are doing some maintenance on FB today and it’s having HUGE issues. GRRRRR I’ll be so glad when they work the kinks out.

    So very nice to meet you. šŸ™‚

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