face time
Have you seen Dentyne’s current ad campaign?
I think it’s sheer creative genius. Mostly because it deeply resonates with people. And while it doesn’t make me want to blow bubbles with Dentyne gum, it does make me want to put down my laptop and enjoy some face time.
Living in Africa for over a decade, the internet has been my life source for connections. Most of my friendships have never been sustained with phone calls, coffee dates, lunches, or visits. Instead, they’ve been cultivated with emails, instant messages, blogging, and video chats.
Lately I’ve heard a lot of dialogue about whether or not community can be found online. This much I know is true: It can. I’m grateful for the rich, genuine friendships that I’ve fostered over the internet.
But while I appreciate the value of “technologically advanced” friendships, I also recognize the significance of what I’ve missed in actual face time. A text message communicates far less than a long, tight hug. A phone call pales in comparison with the unspoken expressions of a glance or a touch. An online chat is merely a shadow of a chai-in-hand conversation on a coffee shop couch.
I’ll always be grateful for whatever form of connection and affection I’m blessed to have. But whenever possible, please can I have some face time?
‘Cause, seriously… What I wouldn’t give for a hug like this today—
@atangie says:
[biting my lip, forcing back tears]
VERY grateful for the handful of face friends that God has given me here in Cochabamba.
VERY grateful for outreach season beginning early this year… just a couple weeks away.
VERY grateful, as you said, for any form of contact.
[sigh]
I am so grateful for this world of friends I have inside of my computer. God has enriched my life tremendously through them. However, I dearly miss all the “face time” and if given the chance to really get out there and live my life again – I will NOT take it for granted.
@moweezle says:
I had never seen that ad. before, but I do like it. I can totally relate, as practically ALL my relationships are on a long-distance basis too. Shame!
@danielleH says:
that is a great ad.
(i’m just a short trip away.)
there is much to be said about friends there are near & invovled. there is more to be said about the One is has never left.
Great. Truly great.
@cassgirl says:
I learned how to be a fierce friend over the internet/blog more than any stbux meeting.
Now I won’t let it go….
If I wasn’t in Texas with two little people and you weren’t in Ohio, I’d leap in the car and give you a hug just like that picture! :) Someday …
P.S. I LOVE that new header picture … such joy … and “face time!”
I’m sure there are plenty of hugs around here to give you!
I hear ya. I almost dove in my pastors’ arms (who barely know me – actually they probably would never have remembered even meeting me) on Sunday for a hug. sigh
Words are so inadequate sometimes. I have enjoyed getting to know some people online and maintain friendships online, but truly nothing spoke to me louder and clearer this weekend than a friend pulling me into an embrace. Her words spoke volumes but her actions even more.
Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. YES.
I agree. Most of my close friends live across the country. I can totally resonate with your desire for face-time.
@traceepersiko says:
as thankful as i am for technology, as i love knowing you….pale’s in comparision to the hug you actually give!
Get on a plane to Iowa immediately.
I’ll hug the stuffing out of you. Even if it hurts :)
love this post! and I do love that commercial. however, whenever it’s on I feel slightly guilty that my life has gone from face time to “facebook” time y/k?
You and me both!
I chew Dentyne everyday…I’m safe to be near.
Arms.
Who doesn’t need them?
I’m so grateful that we’ve been able to stay “connected” for the last 13 (wow) years, but it would make my YEAR to be able to hug you. Come on down…Stephenville’s a waitin’!
Guest room has your name on it.
PS: Since you love SBUX, not only does guest rm have name on it, but we will drive you to head qtr.s since we live in land of your fav warm bev.
You’re a good hugger, that’s for dang sure.
I loved the video, and picture, of people spending face-time with each other, and sharing a hug.
I also think of all the friends I have meet online, like you. The Internet has brought the whole world to my door step.
In person we touch each others heart when we hug. I think we can also touch each other’s heart online through our words. The connection is different. The feeling is the same. We can’t get enough of either.
{{{cyber hugs}}}
@mjdagenhart says:
I think one of the great things about online friends, or maintaining existing friendships online, is that it enables us to be all-around better friends. We work hard to maintain our friendships, to find the words we can’t physically convey. It makes us better communicators so that when we do get that precious face time, it becomes even more special.
gigi — i knew you’d understand…
sheryl — i don’t know what you’re going through, but i pray that He’ll meet you smack dab in the middle of it.
mo — bittersweet… bittersweet…
yeller — i didn’t at all take your words as insensitive. i know your heart, friend. and i appreciate the perspective you brought.
heidi — “now i won’t let it go” made me smile big. thank you.
debra — you would?! wow. thank you!
marc — i hope so… i miss face time with my thrive family. and my hope house kids. [ok. stop now. before tears follow through on their threats.]
annie — hugs are healing, aren’t they?
melissa — i love the word embrace. it speaks of genuine love that is only felt between hearts that know one another.
applepie — i owe you a hug. or 92.
hannahruthie — where’s your blog link!? and ya know? i think anyone who does missions totally gets this in a unique way. i went on my first mission trip days after i turned 15… and all through high school my closest friends were also my furthest friends.
my tracee — i’ll even let you have under. damn, i love you.
fritz-friend — “even if it hurts” — thanks for loving me that much.
raisin bran — i know, friend. but i am so grateful i have you in my life. even though we’ve never shared face time.
michelle — since we’re talking about gum and all… my favorite is orbit’s mint mojito. if you can’t drink it, chew it!
nor — indeed.
shinea — 13 years?! dang gina! it’s been far too long since we’ve hugged. i’ve been ransacking my brain… i feel like we “had” a song way back in bots… did we? what was it?!?!
roxx — mmmm… a guest room + pike place market + first st. bux = perfect combo.
becca — me?! thanks, spooner. you’re a fandamnstastic hugger yourself. i could go for one of our classic long hugs. [then i could smell you! ... oh! and i'd whisper in your ear, with my most sinister voice: "bird murderer!"]
ed — “the connection is different; the feeling is the same.” well-put! and you’re right – words definitely touch my heart.
marisa — ooooh, good insight! it’s so true. i’ve been challenged to find different ways to express my love. and that’s a very good thing.
haha…yeah girl…”If you wanna be somebody, if you wanna go somewhere, you better wake up and pay attention…” Good ol’ Sister Act II.
i KNEW we had a song!
wow. flooded with memories right now.
Awww, me too. Those were the days. Love you, chica.
Hey Alece … in a heart beat I would! God has just cemented you in my heart! :)
shoooooo… overwhelmed and humbled…..
some day i’ll cash in on that hug.
Amen – something i have known since falling in love via IM over 8 years ago. Nothing is the same as ‘face time’ – No. Thing.
Having said that – cyber-friends are truly ‘something else’ and the feelings we do feel for them – and them for us are real – but subtely ‘different’.
There is a physical ‘quality’ missing that is impossible to duplicate. Until you actually meet them :-)
Pc’s should come complete with a pair of arms! ;-)
{HUG}
<B
i must say you do give the best hugs.
and have the best smiles which equals to giving a gooood ole JACEEEEE SMILE :)
i know i always need some face time, that’s what gets me going. it is hard sometimes though when everybody is out doing their own things.
I CANNNOT WAIT TO HAVE FACE TIME WITH YOU.
i just smiled real big and it wasn’t even a jace smile.
love you frienddddddddddd.
mr. love — you know, i no longer differentiate between blog friends and “real life” friends. if i’ve established a friendship with them, it doesn’t matter that i’ve met them via the blogosphere. they are genuine friends. i no longer feel the need to categorize them, as though my friendship with them is lesser. just a random little blurb, that really isn’t even in response to anything you said now is it?! hmmm… :)
jaceybird — mmmm… i love being known as a good hugger. that puts a huge smile on my face. i love you — and i hope you know: you make this mama bird proud, jacelyn!
awwww well you make me more proud then you know. I am always talking about you as my other Mammmma bird and it always makes my mammma bird smile.
its cool to know that I have a mammma bird and a daddddy bird in Africa though, I’m just saying :)
i also love how you call me Jacelyn just like a mamma bird is suppose to.
you are so precious to me, jacelyn.
no lie!
i love how we always have the most amazing chats on your blog.
you are so precious to me as well.
i mean dude I have a good friend, Mammma bird and hero out of ya. You don’t see that happen everyday :)
easy there, tiger.
dang ginaaa you just called me a tiger.
still love you and only speaking true words from the heart :)
thank you, friend.
duh, anytime anytime.
@danielleH says:
look at all this love on here. you have many that love you, even if its not as close as you’d like it to be.
it overwhelms me sometimes.
God definitely hugs me through my friends — through YOU!
i’m blessed…
Me, too.
One day, we shall hug! :)
@danielleH says:
I didn’t write this to minimize or negate your feelings or desires. We do very much need to have friends, real friends. I was only attempting to encourage my own heart. I apologize if that came across insensitive or pat.