I am not sure what the real shelf-life of a online friendship is. Perhaps its as long as what is invest into it. I have friends that I met on another blogging site that I have known for about 5 years and that seems like a long time these days.Some friends, online and offline are there for a reason and a season.
Often online friendships make the transition to reality when like-minded folks meet in-person. That is always exciting and you hope you can be as good of friends away from your Internet connection.
So when a relationship wanes there is sadness but the thing about life is that new people can come into your life. Online it seems to be a matter of being friended or followed. We all have a need for companionship in all parts of life.
The Tumblr Years of Tony Burgess 