Friendship is born the moment one person says to another: “What? You too! I thought I was the only one!”
-C.S. Lewis
I originally thought that I was just going to post this quote as a “Quote of the Day” type thing. But when I re-read it I realized it triggered something in me to write.
On my wife’s blog Aspie Writer, she touches on the fact that she had and still has a hard time socializing, picking up on non-verbal cues necessary for successful social interaction, and fitting in with people.
This has been true throughout our marriage. While we lived in New York, it was easier to deal with this. She had her brothers who would come over and hang out, or we’d go to her Aunt’s house or her Grandmother’s house. (Remember at this time she was not diagnosed yet). I had two friends who would come over and we’d all watch movies or play board games. But making new friends for her was not only hard, it was traumatic.
She’s mentioned in the book she is blogging that I was always something of a social butterfly. (There is much more to this that does not bear going into here), so I had plenty of friends and making new ones was not that hard for me. I have to admit while reading the blogs she’s been posting, it sometimes has damn near broken my heart to read what she had to go through.
Even in adulthood she has been so very lonely.
Now that she’s started blogging I can’t tell you how much it means that she’s discovered so many people who she can relate to. The introduction of “virtual friends” into her world has given her so much happiness. It’s been thrilling to watch her discover new friends and interact with everyone. She’s truly found her niche I think in blogging about her autism.
So to everyone who reads this blog, or came here because she directed you from her blog, or who just finds your way here and then find your way there to her blog and become involved with her there, thank you so very much. And I hope you enjoy reading both of our blogs.
myaspiewife 
I found your wife’s blog recently – I think one of her posts had been ‘freshly pressed’ – my 17 year old daughter is just waiting for her evaluation results to come through but they are likely to be that she is an Aspiegirl so I am voraciously reading everything I can on the subject.
Your wife’s blog is so valuable to me – she writes well and has explained many things in such a way that I feel I have gained just a little bit of insight into what my daughter goes through.
I have signed up to follow your new blog as I like your style of writing also and from what I’ve read so far, feel I might benefit from your experiences of living with a loved one who also happens to be an Aspie.
This post made me feel all weepy – the love and affection shines through – It seems you are both incredibly lucky to have found each other. Thank you for starting your bog and sharing your experience – I look forward to reading more.
Thank you. Never doubt the love you feel for your Aspie. There will be times when you want to run and hide and scream because they will not make any sense to you. There will be times when you feel they may not have any regards for what you are feeling…but just remember sometimes more imortant than understanding…is just accepting. In those times just stop trying to figure it out…and just hug them and love them…
i feel the same way as she does!! and im ever so grateful for having her in my list of people who i say “hey, you’re just like me too!!” :):):)
The Internet has been the world’s greatest social blessing for us Aspies. We can find people with the same interests via forums, we can converse through a filter using IMs, variances in typing speed mean we can take the time to compose our thoughts without feeling pressured, and when we do meet our net friends in person, it’s a great time because we already know we can talk to them. The relief from the social pressures of eye contact, immediate response, & having to interpret body language & facial expression is just so enormous. It’s distilled down to JUST the words and we can manage that.