How many of you game every night? How many of you play with the same friends over and over again? How many of you have met your online friends in real life? How many of you have found love online? I can honestly say yes to all of those questions as most of my relationships have been started through gaming networks. I have met so many people through Xbox Live and I can honestly say that my dearest and closest friends are 99% due to online!

Times have changed from the 80’s and 90’s. Life’s networks have extended beyond our local areas. The internet has allowed us to be in constant contact with anyone and everyone around the world. Whatever your interests might be, one can find tons of people with the same interest with a click of a button.

Since my passion lies with gaming, my network has been that of Xbox Live. I have been playing XBL since it first hit the shelves on November 15, 2002.  Since that date, my life has changed completely. It all started with the game Unreal Championship. This was the first game that I had played on XBL with and it sucked me in. To finally be able to play against people instead of AI was what drew me in the most. This is the game where I met my husband of five years.

So not only did I meet my husband on XBL, I also met my dearest and closest friends. I have known my oldest friend, Alan aka Strict 9s, since Unreal Championship, and he is one of my first friends to ever have on XBL and still to this day we remain close friends. I met my best friend Kristen, aka PMS Epidemic, during a clan match on Rainbow Six Vegas. I met my other best friend Isaac, aka Ninja Zero, through other friends on COD 4.  These three people live all over the country, California, New York, and Oregon. If it wasn’t for XBL I would have never met any of these amazing people.

Whether you’re playing on your console or PC, gaming can lead to life long relationships. It is as though we are one giant gaming family. So the next time you find yourself playing with your friends online, take a moment to get to know each other more because you too can create long time relationships through gaming networks.

Okay my hubby, Jeff has just walked through the door with two new air soft guns. Woohoo, time to have some fun! Before I go, I’ll leave you with this thought- How has online gaming impacted your life’s relationships?

Love to all my XBL homies <33333333