So do you mean how many friends do I have, or do you mean how many people are my “friends” on facebook?
I have a lot of “friends” on facebook, and I like it. What I post publicly is just that, public information. You may be surprised to know that I’m actually a rather private person. I don’t share intimate details with very many people, But I’m also very social. I guess I have to keep up with my Gemini astrology sign, two people in one body!
So why am I writing about this? Let me back up a wee bit. I was not the popular girl in high school. In fact ,some girls wanted to “punch me out”, spit on me, call me a whore, a dyke (not sure how I was both…Gemini I guess?) and so on and so on. Anyway, one girl in particular tried to “beat my face in” once while I was at a convenience store. This is a true story, honestly! I was 15 years old. I went to a convenience store with my cousin. The “punch your lights out girl” pulled up in a car beside us, got out and started coming at me with all kinds of crazy. Nothing happened. Looking back, I think she probably missed her psych appointment and I happened to be the stand in. Needless to say, we weren’t friends.
SOOOOOO you can imagine my surprise a couple of weeks ago when the kind folks at Facebook sent me a notification that I had a friend request from, yep you guessed it…the convenience store parking lot girl. I actually dropped my phone and my LOL could be heard in the next building.
The thing is, I think we’re all guilty of acting “high school” at some point in our life. Not convenience store parking lot “high school”, but snotty, I’m better than you crap. There’s a butt load of folks on my FB who weren’t my friends in high school, but what’s the point of not accepting? We’ve all grown up haven’t we? Honestly, some of these “friends” don’t even talk to me when I do see them in public, but I can tell you what they had for dinner, and their cat’s birthday. My point is, don’t take it too seriously. I love my social media friends. It has replaced TV in a lot of ways for me, and it’s a great way to keep connected with people I don’t get to see often. Just make sure you don’t get hung up on how many friends or likes you have. It’s “like” not a big deal, unless you let it be a big deal.
And in case you’re wondering…I deleted that friend request. Sometimes we have to set standards on who makes the cut.
MF

wow That hits SO close to home! lol I’ve actually had the same type of thing happen to me as well. I was bullied a lot and just recently I was told about a lady that has some pretty harsh things to say about me in high school and said I bullied her and my god it floored me!! She said I used to call her fat and say some shitty things. I don’t remember it, but I do not doubt her at all. That is NOT who I am, and I have tried to reach out and apologise on Facebook but as we are not friends it will have went to her “other folder”.
If this is you and I David Vahey picked on you at LDSS please look me up so I can give a heartfelt apology.
Glad you didn’t friend this gal! I am always amazed by how little we know of people we spent 5 days a week with for years and years of our lives. It still bothers me that I didn’t know you left St Peters, or maybe I did and I forgot, but it bothers me.
so true! High school is truly one of the most imprintable/memorable times in ones life, even thought it’s for only 4 years of our very long long life, it seems to have had the most impact on us. Your perspective is awesome and hits home so much for both the bully and bullied, and I hope that all who reads enjoy as much as I did. This blog allows me to take a long look at my three teenagers highschool behaviour, and mine too ,awareness is key, and no matter if you’re in grade 9, 10 ,11 or 12 or even a victory lap, wanting to fit and fitting in is vital to fond/bad memories, to take one to a successful/not so successful and happy future . thanks for sharing Michelle, and reminding us all how important authenticity truly is!!
Great post, Michelle!