By: Anne Haynes
If you browse my blog, you will find me bashing Facebook because it’s too complicated and time consuming. But this year, Facebook has a new face in my life.

Follow me back 30 years, when I lived in Florida with my parents; I was 8 years old. I moved to Florida from the Midwest because my father took an engineering position. I quickly became involved in the music group at my grade school and soon enough I met Rachel and Cory. The three of us became good friends quickly and soon enough I moved to Monterey California (age 14). I went on to graduate from high school and college. I’d think of Rachel and Cory from time-to-time. We recorded a record (not digital) together with our grade school music group. I used Google and tried to find them and boom, one day Cory finds me on Facebook then I’m connected to Rachel!

Now after 30 years Rachel and Cory are coming to my 40th birthday celebration in Vegas. While I nitpick at usability and conversions on websites all day long, I can overlook all of this with Facebook now; it’s enriched my life. I’ve learned that Rachel is a concert pianist, CPA and boat Captain. Cory has three children and is studying to get her masters. And now very shortly I will be talking to my best friends face-to-face after 30 years!

Thank you Facebook for opening your community to everyone; giving birth to the Wall; allowing me to control who sees what; blocking games and applications I don’t like; becoming more like Friendfeed and connecting me with people who’ve loved me in my past!