Yup. I made many long term friends from playing an online game. Most I never met in person. Some, I did.

Yes, my best friend became my best friend long before we met in person. We met playing EverQuest together. I miss him dearly; he died what he loved doing; hiking.

There are different types/levels of friends, 'real' is a term one must decide on an individual basis imo.

That depends on your definition of friendship and your and their expectations. But it is really a question only you can answer. If you have the feeling and you are not packing too many expectations as to the reciprocity of these friendships.

I am sorry to hear that you lost your friend .

Yes you can. It takes a connection and effort on both ends to stay in communication and reach out. This helps if either party is not too busy with work and/or kids and has time for this. My best friend lives in the USA, we have visited one another over the years. But our friendship remains long distance. I think even if we had never met, he'd still be my best friend because he has all the great values and the similar positive traits I have, that I look for in people. I have found it is harder to remain close friends with people that are struggling with health or mental health issues or with people that have a poor work-life balance, aka they work so much that they barely have down time and are too exhausted to engage with others.

I have lots. I don't see why it would be less real. I still care way too much.

I think you got to meet really more so than a lover/partner

yes I have a friend in Germany

i have never met but we email each other

I don't think I would equate the term friend if we had never met in person. Interpretations of body language, facial expressions and more, contribute to attraction. If it was a textual only relationship, context and tonal inflection help describe, if not define a conveyance.

Yes I have online friends that have literally saved my life. One instance no more that weeks ago. Planned to post the story soon.

My late partner and I talked on the phone for two months, sometimes a couple of hours a day. She lived in Tex ass and I in Seatle and we did not meet until after 2 months. I think we both knew this was it and it was. That is why I keep harping on establishing a base first before meeting. It can make up for any "chemistry" errors.

I think this is absolutely possible. In our electronically connected world, we all have numerous "friends." Most of them, I think, could be classified more accurately as acquaintences, but sometimes you really connect. I have finally had some private conversations with folks here and who knows where that could lead. This site is an extremely fertile "friendship ground," I think. The common mindset helps everyone to relax and really talk to each other. I love this place (and I love your intelligent and thought-provoking posts too, BTW. Thanks!).

Yes, I tend to connect with minds easier than meatsuits.

An internet friend, yes. If you have not met someone, you only have what you are told by that person to base anything on.

Absolutely. I have several online friends who I genuinely care about.

Although it's tough not having them close I have made at least 3 friends that are too far away. We don't talk everyday but we still make sure we keep in touch

Sure, people can be friends despite having never met - I’ve had a few long distance / internet based friendships over the years that were enjoyable and that didn’t end dramatically. I think the rub lies with people who try to make more of it than what it is - when they try to make something platonic romantic. Guess the same could be said for “real life” situations as well.

Yup some people spend their entire lives being friends by Letter, Phone, internet or other means of communication. If people have similer interests and sometimes ocupations or troubles they always seem to find one another.

It's possible, although not ideal. I have made some friends on-line who I have never met in person due to the Atlantic Ocean getting in the way ?

Yes, with some limitations. The communication part is pretty easy with messaging, video chats and phone calls. But it's hard to meet for dinner or a beer and a good talk (visual cues and environment can be pretty important). For me it is likely to be a deeper friendship if I can at least see the friend in person from time to time.

I understand real friend to be someone whom I have actually met or known for a considerable period of time during which we have met up many times. A frienship that has stood the test of time with the trials and tribulations of life. Words are cheap and cost nothing, like whispering sweet nothings.

I currently have three close friends who are from the USA. I've never met them in the flesh, but we talk every day and we know far too much about each other.

Absolutely! I actually know several people whom I've only ever met via the internet. We've Skyped but never shaken hands before. Still, we've spoke enugh and kept close enough communication that I totally consider them friends. I can't speak for them. Maybe they feel differently, but I'd like to think they feel the same.

Not that I would deject them, a lot can be seen with the words a person chooses. However, there are semantic cues put off by a person that would inherently on a subconscious level, that would tell you if you wanted to trust that person. Body language to be simpler.