Not many people know this, but at the peak of the #COVID19 lockdown I found refuge inside @NintendoAmerica’s wildly popular #ACNH game.

This was my first excursion into the #AnimalCrossing series, so I was surprised to find new friends and community. https://www.vox.com/first-person/21439654/coronavirus-covid-19-animal-crossing-bts-friendships

I spoke with @rachjuramirez about the small, but mighty, #ACNH Twitter DM group I created at the time.

I remember telling @sueqhaslett that I was nervous about putting “ @cristela9, @natimontelongo, and a bunch of my Twitter followers” in a group without introductions.

The only thing all the people in the group had in common? They were posting about #ACNH and sharing their Nintendo friend codes.

There was @libbycondon, @ExhaustedFemme, @and @ndixonsmith. Some other IRL friends (and family @justDantheman) made cameos, but the group was set!

From there on the group grew — @JaredRizzi was invited and so was @RebeccaCokley. By then @Drea__Diaz, @allymckeone, and @jnmiranda7 were talking to everyone in the the group.

#Acnh items were being traded and discussions about real life topics were being dissected.

I could go on and on about this group, the conversations have certainly been entertaining but the friendships formed are invaluable.

Weve laughed, cried, and even exchanged mail/gifts/food across the country. I know Im missing a couple of S/Os ( @ParraV @nezlysilva @jackiestoy4)

But truly I couldn’t be happier to have taken the risk and putting all these amazing and wonderful people in a single place! ( @_toriwhitley, I haven’t forgotten about you)

I’m just glad they,ve come to know and trust each other over time. Hopefully we all meet up IRL soon!

Be sure check out @rachjuramirez story on “unlikely” friendships in the era of #COVID19 over at @voxdotcom!

Be sure to follow EVERY1 including @stephanixmedina, @tamisawyer, @devine_kj, @_alesilguero, @mattbc, @_NestorRuiz, @fancyladyleague, @rvtran #acnh https://www.vox.com/first-person/21439654/coronavirus-covid-19-animal-crossing-bts-friendships