blogger meetup recap

Welp, I've got my writin' specs on and my writin' drink in hand, so I'm fixin' to write to y'all about the blogger meetup I attended this past weekend with my daughter Shiloh.

Truth be told, I am not entirely sure where to begin. This was more than just an event for me. It was a test to see if the relationships cultivated through social media actually can stand up to the pressure (yes, pressure) of congregating together in a stranger's home, as strangers, and see how we all hold up. I was grateful to have connected with some of the ladies who attended before the meetup via the comments on my blog and found that I was not alone in feeling nervous... I of course desperately wanted to be myself and be as real as I am, well, in real life, and I wanted the other ladies to see that... and I didn't want to feel when it was all over that I had misrepresented myself in any way... maybe some of you know how that temptation presents itself from time to time? Especially with strangers...

But I interrupt this program to say that more than anything I was hoping and praying that seeing Bekah again would go well... we made plans to share a place to crash overnight in Charlotte since I was driving so far from Atlanta, and I knew we'd be spending the most time together. I am MUCH more comfortable one on one than in a crowd, but I was scared... what if the one on one didn't go well? She and I met three years ago via craigslist when she and her hubby bought a bed I was selling, and we kept in touch via Facebook for a long time, and then when I decided to resurrect my blog she stepped in to provide encouragement and support, and we have steadily grown closer since then - as close as you can "seem" via social media and, well, blogging. I was mostly afraid that our face time wouldn't stand up to the "internet" relationship we'd developed, which would have just completely sucked. And I think I would have lost faith in the whole damn thing.

So when I got close to Charlotte, I pulled over to pee, and pull myself together... to make sure my monstrous zit was adequately covered, and that I looked "just right"... and to kill time, you know, so I wouldn't be right on time. Shiloh and I got a couple of drinks from Chik-fil-a, and Shiloh questioned me up and down about "when are we going to see Mr. Marc" (not sure how she became so focused on who Ocean's daddy was, but maybe because we have a friend named Mr. MarK) and "when are we going to the party" and "when am I going to see Ocean"... for the last 30 minutes it was an interrogation. As my nerves built, I decided to crank up Dust Bowl Dance by Mumford and Sons and that seemed to help. There was nothing left to do but dive into the experience and see what I came out with.

First of all, I can tell you that overall I came out with a beautiful and meaningful experience. I didn't have really very many expectations of these other blogger ladies because I truthfully hadn't read many of their blogs, so as far as I was concerned, this was a party for a bunch of strangers. I did know Jess's blog very well and of course Bekah's, and was acquainted with Paige's and Kristina's... but that was it, so I was thankful for the perspective of not knowing the image of the blog and being able to connect with these ladies as flesh and bone human beings, which has led me to want to connect with them more via their blogs.

I can tell you that there is something, some substance to the communication and connection that happens via all forms of communication OTHER than face to face time and talking on the phone... it does mean something; it does create and build relationships... it does something for relationships that I think maybe even meeting people the old fashioned way does not allow... For instance... I could comfortably say that just about every single lady at the meetup was someone with similar interests, at a similar stage in their life as I was, was someone I could carry on a conversation with (and I did with many of them) and feel comfortable around. I could probably click on any of their blogs right now and read some heartfelt and honest thoughts and connect with them, like the blog post that Rebecca wrote about the meetup... these are thoughts that maybe we wouldn't even get a chance to share with one another over the course of several weeks... the blogosphere kind of cuts out all the crap and cuts to the chase, so that when or if you finally come together for real like, there is something deeper and more profound as a foundation, even though that foundation was formed via the frequently trash-talked social media medium (ever heard the argument that it "cheapens" relationships?).

And sometimes even just the slightest connection via these mediums can rapidly propel you into deep places with someone that may even change your life. I had a precious connection with one of the ladies there, though brief, it was like Heaven broke through in a moment... and if that is what this whole thing was about, then that is enough.

And I will also say that as bloggers, I realized that we all are constantly wrestling with wanting our blogs to be authentic representations of ourselves... both in the way our blogs look, feel, and the words that we write. We all struggle with wanting to grow our blogs and how to do that, even sacrificing content at times for that purpose, and wanting it to just be as it is, a place for us to have a voice... our own corner of the web where we can say and do what we want, and if they come, then fine, and if they don't, to be satisfied with that, because we are satisfied that we have been authentic, and that is enough. Thank God I am not alone. Some bloggers even have been judged for apparently "not being real", when actually, what you don't know is, they are protecting the honor of loved ones, or a very complex situation is not appropriate to be shared with the world wide web. I heard many of these stories this weekend. And if there is one thing YOU should hear, it's that the blogs you read are the best representations of the authors as the authors have time, emotional energy, spiritual energy, and their respect for themselves and their families to give. We all want you to know it all, SERIOUSLY! But it's complicated, in simple and not so simple ways, like life is complicated. Know that the tension exists. I was so comforted to hear this from the other ladies there because I struggle with this ALL THE TIME!

The bottom line is, we all want to connect with each other... that is the beauty of the web - among other things, blogs are a way to connect more deeply, almost instantly. The emails and messages that come from readers in response to a more honest and open blog post exponentially outweigh the recipe posts and web favorites posts. And there's no way any of us would have ever ended up in Jessica Gatlyn's home together if it wasn't for the web. Connections happen at speeds and without regard for geographical location like never before in history. What a treasure. We ought to honor it and protect it; no one is entitled to information just because a platform exists for communication of said information.

So anyways... back to Bekah and I... can I just say, seeing her face and hugging her and seeing beautiful Ocean and snuggable, kissable, darling Luna was just the most wonderful moment... I felt so comfortable with her immediately and all of my fears were made redundant. It was literally like I had hoped, all the face time just filling in the gaps of the way our friendship has developed over the internet over the last three years. I felt totally at home and comfortable with her and with Marc, and her beautiful children. Can I just say that Luna is one of the most beautiful, petite, squeezable--- oh man I just cannot find the right words to describe this beauty of a baby.... I adored her and probably gushed over her cuteness a gazillion times!

And Bekah and I were beyond amazed at how perfectly Shiloh and Ocean played together!!! Picture two beautiful three year old darlings, running around giggling, hand in hand wherever they went, never fighting or tattling on each other, for hours on end... that was the two of them together. We were in awe at how adorable and precious they were together - it warmed my heart so much! I am going to do a separate post on the two of them because out of all the pictures I took probably half of them were of Shiloh and Ocean! :)

Knowing that Bekah and her sweet family will be closer soon blesses me and I hope we can get together over the summer for more visits. Bekah, if you're reading this, I just love you, beautiful, sweet friend!

So, the trip was everything I'd hoped for and more. Here are some photos from the weekend, and links to all the other blogs whose authors I met this weekend. Be sure to visit them and show them some love. I can tell you with certainty that these ladies are real, real mothers, wives and friends who just want to connect with you, their reader, in a way that makes you stay. I am one of them! So, come along. :)

of all the food I took a picture of my red cabbage/kale salad... sheesh.

Shiloh and Kael, Jessica's little man

beautiful Luna, Bekah's littlest babe

Cupcakes from Cupcrazed, sponsored by Passionfruit Ads

cupcake bar... the toasted coconut was off the chain!

Luna again... what did I tell you?

Shiloh, Ocean and Adelaide 

in the background, Anna and Jessica

Anna again and Jessie Mathis 

Carrie in the foreground

Leslie and Rebecca

Shiloh and Ocean drinking some smoothies Brittney made

Jess and Bekah, the loverly hostesses

Brittney

Shiloh and Ocean :) playing with inchworms

the rainstorm that visited us later

BFFs

Luna holding out...

at Amelie's the next morning :) hand in hand

Charlotte

friends saying goodbye after a little thrifting

one of the many pics of these two that I'll share later. :)

In attendance (please visit their blogs): Jess, Bekah, Kristina, Carey, Paige, Rebecca, Dusti, Leslie, Brittney, Tia, Jessie, Anna, Jenn