[MM]When the Online Friendship Comes to Real Life
Author: StarPower
This story actually starts about five years ago along side my beginning journey into the world of MMORPG and TQ Digital Games. I was introduced into online gaming through my ex-husband and my first game was Monster and Me. I liked the concept of the game because to me it was like a mix between an RPG game and a chat room.
I would log in and play and listen to everyone chat with one another and at first I was a bit on the quiet side when it came to participating. I got to know many of the people who played just by listening in on guild conversations. There was one guy that I admired because he was outgoing and funny and helpful and very determined. One day I was listening to guild chat as usual and there he was looking to sell a 50 GR GianBlue to buy an Addidas egg. So I PMed him and started talking about a trade. We came to an agreement but started chatting and that is when the beginnings of our friendship began.
(As a side note, that Addidas started a new trend of super pets on the American version of M&M. It was the first ever 55 GR pet. After the new standard was set many people started to work on their own 55+ pets. But for that time period it had broken a long standing record.)
We started chatting every day and I began to look forward to those evenings where I could tell him about my day and find out how his day went. There were times we would talk for hours and we got to know one another very well. It was like my little escape from the world for a few hours each night. We eventually were married in the game and many people came to our online ceremony in the church hehe. I had even dreamed about meeting him a couple of times but figured that would be impossible since he lived in another country.
Eventually all good things must come to an end. He got tired of playing the game so we didn't get to talk all the time any longer, but we still chatted off and on over the next few years since we had established a friendship during our talks.
Within the last year I started playing a new game and eventually talked him into playing with me, and we began talking again more frequently. One day he hops online and says "Guess what? I am going to be in your country for my graduation". I let the words sink in for a minute then got around to asking him what part of the country and he said he was going to be in New Jersey. (which is an 11 hour drive for me) Of course, he gave me no advance notice because he didn't know if he was going to be able to go or not himself till the last minute. He messaged me on Wednesday night and his graduation was on Thursday.
I thought about it for a few minutes and I did not see how I could possibly make it. 11 hours is a long drive and I had to work on Thursday and Saturday. My only day off was Friday. So at first I thought to myself it just was not possible. The more I thought about it, the more I started thinking why in the world should I miss maybe the only chance I will have to meet with such a good friend in Real Life. So I started thinking of how to make it work.
I knew the next morning when I woke up that I had to go because if I didn't I would regret it for a long time. So before I went to work that morning I packed my bags and got ready for a long drive after work and printed out directions on how to get there. (gotta love mapquest)
I worked most of the day but thankfully my boss let me leave a couple hours early and arranged for someone to cover four hours of my 12 hour shift on Saturday and when I got off I started driving. I called him on the phone about 1/2 way through my drive and let him know I was on my way.
I arrived there at around 5:30 a.m. and he looked at me and said "I can't believe you showed up I thought you would change your mind" Then we hugged one another for the first time and I was very happy even though the drive was horrible. (I live in a small town so I am terrified of driving in traffic) We spent the day touring New York City together and talking and joking about things we used to talk about on Monster and Me long ago. I was supposed to be his tour-guide while he was in my country but I think he was a better guide then me since I am lost in cities lol. But regardless between the two of us we found our way around, saw all the sights and had a great time. After our long day we went out to dinner then unfortunately it was time to leave since I had to work the next day as well. So I left and started my journey home. But I will always have the memories of the wonderful day we spent together.
I think it is interesting how online friendships can turn into lasting ones. I know I will never forget that day and it all began so long ago over a pet trade on Monster and Me. I have always said that even though TQ Digital games are not the most advanced graphics or gameplay, but they do promote close communities and friendships.
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