Meeting Online Friends IRL
Blogging lingo lesson – IRL = In Real Life
I’ve been at this blogging thing for about a year and a half now. I love it more now than when I started. Why? Because I’ve found that the most amazing and rewarding parts of blogging is the community. The people. The bloggers AND the non-bloggers.
Yes, I’m talking about YOU. You are what make all of this fun, hard work worth it.
Back in February, I cautiously poked my tip-toes into the foreign waters of meeting online friends in real life when I attended the Blissdom Conference. Part of me was nervous, the other part of me was thrilled.
It’s just amazing when an online friendship goes live….nothing like it.
I found out that I didn’t need to be nervous. These women were and are my community. My friends. My cheerleaders. My prayer partners.
Since Blissdom, I’ve had the privilege of meeting up with online friends several times. We’ve met up while on a road trip, at the Betty Crocker kitchens, over dinner, at a local blogger event, at a cooking show and when I traveled 8+ hours to Texas just because I wanted to be there for my friends.
My precious friends – Dedra and Aubrey. We recently met up for lots of “healthy” {snort} Southern food…oh, and pie.
Rhoda and me at an Alabama Bloggers meet-up celebrating Lisa Leonard and her wonderful jewelery. The event was held at an art gallery…hence the man’s head (and ear) behind us. Ha!
Jen with her adorable quadruplets and Ridley and me. Love these peeps!
This week, I’m doing it again. It’s like jumping into a huge bowl of Banana Pudding. So. much. love. There will be hugs, laughs, tears and great conversations!
Bring on the Relevant Conference 2010!
Meeting online friends in real life can be intimidating, but everyone feels a little bit like that. We all want to feel embraced and accepted just for who we are.
Now, where’s that Banana Pudding. 🙂
Have you gotten to meet up with online friends in real life?
Linked to:
I love meeting blog friend IRL. It’s lovely to be part of such a great community. Have fun at Relevant and give Sarah Mae a big hug for me. Hopefully next year I’ll have the opportunity to meet you all IRL myself.
Kristine McGuire´s last blog post ..A Mustard Seed Is Big Enough
Oh Kristine, I hope you can come next year. It was amazing! 🙂
IRL … love it!
Hoping to make it to Blissdom this year!
I’m meeting a blogger from the same city in a few weeks. She’s actually going to Relevant. She’s Leslie from Goodbye, House! Hello, Home! (http://goodbyehousehellohome.blogspot.com/)
Have fun!!
~ The Speckled Dog
Kristi´s last blog post ..Transformations
Oh fun! I met Leslie at Relevant! 🙂 She is so nice!
How exciting! So you live in AL? My husband and I are going to be moving there in several months, we hope. It is with the military, so you never know when they will send us! Maybe I can get to know some AL bloggers while we are there!
Andrea Merrigan´s last blog post ..Menu Plan Monday
Oh yay! Do you know where you’ll be in AL? I would love to meet up with you if you’ll be in North Alabama!
I’ve been blogging privately for about 7 years and this is the first time I’ve really taken things “public.” During those 7 years I made some hard and fast online friends, a few of which I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with in real life. One of which I consider to be one of my best friends in the world.
Have fun at Relevant! Hoping to join you next year!
Lydia´s last blog post ..Cant Help Lovin Dat Man
Hey girl! Loved your comment! I’m so blessed that I connected with you on Xanga forever ago. 🙂 I got your email and will respond asap…I’m recovering from the weekend which was amazing! 🙂
Maybe I’ll get to meet you there?
It was FABULOUS to meet you across the table! 🙂 What a wonderful time we had!
Have so much fun! Hope to see you again at Blissdom.
it was so great to meet you in person!! Hope to see you again soon!!
Rachel @ Grasping for Objectivity´s last blog post ..Modern Day Vocabularic Brainwashing
Ditto! I loved meeting you and wish that we could have stayed longer. Turns out that Ridley had ear infections which was why he wasn’t the happiest little man.
OH! That food was good and you know it! 😉 Love you, friend! Hope you have an incredible time at this conference!
The food was awesome, but the fellowship of kindred spirits was even better! 🙂 Love ya!
I so love this message!
Beautiful photos and heart sharing! I have meant MANY of my blogging friends. It’s like one big family in Christ on and off line IRL.
Enjoy your friends. Perhaps one day we’ll meet if that’s the LORD’s will.
You have a sweet spirit!
Blessings,
Lisa
Thank you Lisa for your sweet comment. I love your spirit! 🙂
Oh Sweet Dear Sister, You ARE the banana pudding in my life! With graham cracker sprinkles on top. Love you dearly!
QuatroMama´s last blog post ..Relevant was… Link-Up