This is a real friendship story about Elin, who joined Gofrendly, the women-only friendship app, to widen her circle and found her friend Indra the moment Indra sent the first message. Here’s how it happened, in Elin’s own words.
Key Takeaways
- Elin joined Gofrendly because she wanted to expand her circle of friends.
- Indra took the initiative and started their conversation, and it felt as if they had known each other for years.
- Their first meeting over coffee was slightly nerve-wracking, and turned out to be one of the best decisions Elin has made.
Elin & Indra’s Real Friendship Story
“My decision to join Gofrendly was driven by the desire to expand my circle of friends. I thought the app was a brilliant concept and couldn’t resist giving it a try,” Elin says.
“Indra and I were fortunate enough to be matched on the app, and she took the initiative to start our conversation. From that moment on, everything just seemed to fall into place. It was as if we had known each other for years, as our similarities and natural connection made us instant friends. We engaged in conversations on a wide range of topics.”
The First Meeting
“Our first in-person meeting took place in Indra’s hometown at a local café, where we shared a delightful coffee session. It was a cozy and slightly nerve-wracking experience, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made.”
“Believe me, getting this app was one of the best decisions I've ever made.”
— Elin, Gofrendly member“When we’re together, our conversations span the entire spectrum of topics, and we indulge in shopping, dining, movie nights, and simply spending quality time. We share a unique, quirky sense of humor and can relate to each other’s life experiences. Everything just flows seamlessly when we’re together.”
Someone Has to Go First
Elin and Indra’s friendship started because Indra sent the first message, and that step is harder than it looks. In two studies by psychologists Gillian Sandstrom and Lara Aknin, only around a third of people who wanted to get back in touch with an old friend actually sent the message, and the most common reason for holding back was fear that it wouldn’t be well received. You can read more in the University of Sussex summary of the research.
About 1 in 3people who wanted to message an old friend actually sent it (28% in one study, 37% in another). The most common reason for holding back was fear the message wouldn’t be well received.
Source: Sandstrom & Aknin, Communications Psychology (April 2024), via the University of Sussex
Elin’s Advice
“To all the other girls on Gofrendly, my advice is to take that leap of faith and reach out to people or arrange meetings. In the beginning, I was a bit apprehensive because it was all so new, but believe me, getting this app was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It not only led me to my wonderful friend Indra, but also to many more meaningful connections, and I couldn’t be happier!”
Ready to Send the First Message?
Gofrendly is a women-only app for meeting new friends, and every friendship on it starts with someone saying hello.
What Elin & Indra’s Friendship Can Teach You
Their story is a reminder of a few simple things.
- Someone has to go first. Indra took the initiative to start the conversation, and that’s how the friendship began.
- A few nerves are normal. Elin calls the first meeting slightly nerve-wracking, and also one of the best decisions she’s made.
- Shared humour goes a long way. Elin and Indra share a quirky sense of humour and can relate to each other’s life experiences.
- One friend can lead to more. Elin says the app led her not only to Indra but to many more meaningful connections.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a real Gofrendly member story?
Yes. Elin shared her own experience of meeting Indra through Gofrendly, and her words appear here as she wrote them, with one place name changed for UK readers.
How did Elin and Indra meet?
They were matched on Gofrendly and Indra started the conversation. Their first in-person meeting was over coffee in Indra’s hometown.
Can I share my own Gofrendly friendship story?
We’d love to hear it – every real friendship story starts with someone sharing theirs. Share your friendship story through our form.
Sending the first message is the part most of us put off. If that sounds familiar, our piece on fear of rejection when making friends looks at what the research says, and our guide to making friends as a woman covers the first steps.
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