4925: December 2008

"Gmail saved my relationship with my girlfriend. I lived in Edmonton,Alberta, Canada for a year with my girlfriend. Then I received fantastic news, I had been offered a scholarship to get my MBA in business down in St. Louis and play university hockey. My girlfriend coincidentally received an offer to work up north in the Oil Fields in Canada making fantastic money. Neither of us could pass up these opportunities. Where she went, there were no phones. Messenger was blocked on her work computer, as were all other chat programs. For a few days we thought that we would have to break things off, since we had absolutely no contact. But then we started talking on Gmail chat. In fact, the only way we could talk was through Gmail chat. We spoke 1-2 hours a day on Gmail while she spent 6 months up in the remote parts of Northern Canada saving all the money she could. Our conversations kept us so close that when she was finished, she moved down here to St Louis with me, while I finish up my masters at University. I don't think we could have survived the time apart without Gmail chat."
Ryan F., Grad. StudentLebanon, IL

"I'm in a band called Mercury Descends. The other four members and I met while serving in the US Military stationed in Japan. After a couple of semi-succesful years making music, our military commitments landed us all in different parts of the world. We continued making music by recording our individual parts of songs and sending the files to eachother via Gmail. Our latest album entitled "Foreign Protocol" was written almost entirely over the internet with the help of Gmail. Thanks to you guys, we were able to keep the creative juices flowing and communicate musical ideas without the use of phones. You saved us many awkward conversations and loads of phone charges. It's much easier than sitting the phone down in front of you while you play a guitar riff for a bandmate who is half way across the world. We're still making music and using Gmail to share ideas with each other. 2/5 of Mercury Descends is still in the military with one deployed to the Middle East. Without Gmail, there's just no way we could continue our musical endeavors."
Alan Mabee, StudentCarbondale, IL

"I am a home-schooled teen living in rural Wisconsin, and I just want to say that Gmail is possibly one of the greatest things ever to enter into my life. One of the FAQ I get when I say I am home-schooled is "how do you socialize?" Gasp! Because obviously you CAN'T socialize in ANY OTHER form other than at a regular school environment! And to that I say, well, you obviously have not heard about Gmail. Since all of my friends live in the Minneapolis\St. Paul area, it is a very long drive to get together with them, but thanks to my mom, I get to see them about once or twice a week. I also take classes with them during the regular school session about once or twice a week, but as any teen knows, talking once or twice a week doesn't cut it. Enter Gmail. With Gmail, I talk to my friends at least twice a day, usually more, and we all join group chats to discuss stuff that is happening in the world today. Plus, I can send them great YouTube videos, and the favor is returned. I can stay connected to them, even though they all live at least an hour away. Living an hour away from all your friends isn't easy, but Gmail makes it way better."
Hannah, StudentWisconsin

"I received an email from a gentleman in Beijing, China and he was interested in collaborating on a book he was writing. To make a long story short, he and I collaborated and wrote "The Mango Tree Cafe, Loi Kroh Road" via internet and instant messaging from Gmail. We've never met each other or talked on the phone. Gmail chat worked just fine for us! Pretty incredible considering he is on the other side of the world from me! The book is now available and we have 2 YouTube videos online, and a Blog capturing our progress on the book. Plus, the book has even been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize!"
Taryn Simpson, Freelance WriterNashville, TN

"My husband and I work opposite shifts so we don't see each other on the weekends. I am 8 1/2 months pregnant and Gmail takes a lot of worry out of our lives. My husband works for a company that does not allow him to install programs such as other messengers. With Gmail chat being web-based he can just leave the window open and be there for me when and if I need him. When our special day comes I will message him on Gmail chat before I will call his job."
Roxanne Aviles, Psychiatry Office ManagerWinter Springs, Florida USA

"I am in the field artillery currently deployed in Iraq. I keep in contact with all my family through Gmail, and I also tried to do something else. For 4 years, I have been single, and I could neverfind the "right" one close to my last girl. She was everything a man could want. Then we went our seperate ways, and I got deployed. Being down here makes you think of the past and how you could've changed it. Well, I looked around, found the one I lost, on Gmail, and we started to talk. Chatting is the first step, then we started to talk about the old times. Chat was always fast, no delay from emails, pictures are sent in great formats, and I think nothing could've gone wrong. You have made us connect in a way that we never have before."
Jonathan Marrero, U.S. ArmyIraq

"This story is written by my parents as I am still learning to speak words at my 12 months of age. My parents thought I should have an email address reserved that should keep all my memories while I grow up. So they decided to get me a Gmail address. They send me all that's happened in my life during my initial days, months and years as emails to this address. They also created a blog in my name and the memories are shared there and sent as emails... Thanks for giving me my first email id. I will cherish that all my life and will send you an email once I start typing myself."
Kedaar Nandan, Seattle, WA