Glad to meet you
Have you ever met someone and just knew you’d be friends. There was just something about them, some aura, some electricity, some other intangible that set off all your potential ‘friend for life’ bells and whistles?
Since I started blogging I have been fortunate enough to cross paths with a lot of very cool people. Moms and dads, teachers and artists, single parents, hope-to-be-parents, warrior women and rocking men ~ all Internet neighbors, and now my friends. Make no mistake, I do consider you all real friends. In some cases, I think I know you better than people I see nearly every day.
I’ve been working on this one for a while. I wanted to create my own piece of flair as a way of saying that I’m glad we met and have gotten to know each other. My way of saying ‘thanks’ for always being around for support or encouragement, for leaving me great comments, for making me laugh so hard my head hurts, or for helping me change the way I think about myself or my world around me.
This is by no means an exhaustive list… but here are a few of the first people I met through our blogs that I want to give a shout out too. Even if we never meet face-to-face, I am glad we met net-to-net. I feel like we have become friends, and I am the better for it.
This weekend, getting to meet the bloggers I have been reading, that I have been forging relationships with online was an experience I will never forget. You are a real friend, regardless if we have never met eye to eye. This weekend proved that, because the moment I met the friends I have made online in person it was if we have always hung out. There was not awkward, at all.
So I am honored that you consider me a friend, because I feel the same exact way.
Thanks T.. this was awesome.
[Tara R.] Kim… I’m so jealous that you went to BlogHer. If it is ever closer to me, I will make that trek too. I’m glad you’re having so much fun and getting to put faces to names. That is awesome!
Hey, I like that Melissa–I think I’ll look her up! We might share something in common, besides the same name–ya think? I’ve never shared this with you, but you’re almost always the first blogher I visit when I sign on as my blogging persona. Mamacita is pretty cool, too. As Debbie Boone would have said so many years ago (yes, I’m soooooo dating myself here!), “You light up my life…” BTW, don’t forget about the Super Summer Sunday Sweepstakes. Hope you’ll be able to share some Caption Love with us!
[Tara R.] Melissa B… wow, thank you so much! You will really like the other Mel too. She keeps me in stitches. I’ll check out the S4 and leave some caption love for you.
Well, at least I made the ‘GUYS’ list. Even though I’ve been told I’m “such a DOLL”.
[Tara R.] lceel… I just bet you’re a doll! I thought those tags were more age appropriate (coming from me) than Dudes and Babes.
What an awesome thought. I agree that there are tons of people I want to meet IRL, but until I’m able to attend BlogHer or some other event, I’m settling for meeting everyone via comments and email.
But I laugh when each day I tell DH another story that “I read on one of my friends’ blogs”. I catch myself saying it EVERY TIME.
Cute logo, btw!
[Tara R.] Nicole… I just stopped saying anything about which friends (blog or IRL), I just say ‘I was talking with a friend’ or ‘a friend said.’ It makes life so much easier and I avoid the funny looks.
Yay for NOLA! she’s a delicious writer.
[Tara R.] xbox… ain’t she just? She is one of the few I’ve ‘met’ who is close enough to actually meet IRL. I’m still trying to work out those details.
I can totally relate to this. Even on the Internet, some people’s spirits shine through and onto us. We’re so lucky!
[Tara R.] Half-Past… I’m so glad I started this blogging thing. And, to think, I was reluctant at first. What was I thinking?
and i feel the EXACT same about you!!!
thank you so much!!!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxox
[Tara R.] Melbs… I’m so glad. Your friendship has been so much fun and I appreciate you more than I say say.
Seriously. Isn’t is amazing what blogging can do? I’m a cliche, this I know, but it is amazing how easily the miles are bridged with words, with community, with REAL friendship.
It is almost easier to forge friendships online (I would never ever say this to my RL friends). Why? No one cares what you look like, how many degrees you have, how much money you make, where you live, what you do . . . it is ironic that although your online friends can’t actually SEE you, that they probably know you even better than some of the people that see you every single day.
Such a cool place to be.
[Tara R.] LaskiGal… that is it exactly! We become friends not based on any pre-conceived biases and just get to know each other in the most basic of ways. Hubs co-oped for the first couple years we dated. For months at a time we were apart and could only write letters and talk on the phone. I think we got to know each better that way than if we spent that time face-to-face. We could say things and ask questions we might have been too shy or afraid to in person. I think friendship made here are a lot like that.
thank you TARa!! you are awesome. thank you for this. i saw the picture briefly and thought it was cool. it’s not showing right now though. i have loved being friends with you ever since the start. so true, amazing and bizarre, how sometimes you can get to really know someone so basic … sometimes even better than someone you see all the time. i like what you said about how you got to know your hubby better when you were apart and had to write letters.
i am so glad you and i crossed paths. love your notes and your phone calls every time. thank you for this shout out today.
glad to be your friend, beany
[Tara R.] Beany… I can’t believe how many new friends I have made since starting this blog… and I’m so glad I can count you among them.
Tara, I really feel the same way about you too. It’s funny how many NOLA folks I have met and become real friends with. I KNOW if we lived close by, we’d be hanging out offline, too!
It’s nice that the feeling is mutual
[Tara R.] Nola… we would so hang out! I know I keep promising, but I will get to NOLA and we will finally have a face-to-face.
and if i lived near you, i would also go to your tournaments and cheer you on.
beany
[Tara R.] Beany… I’d get you in free just to have you there.
Tara,
I am humbled. I am so glad to have met you and many of those on your list as well. I remember your blog “back when.” You have always had such a great sense of humor and I think that is a connection we will always share whether it is on the net or face to face. Very honored and very cool.
Thanks,
Joe
[Tara R.] Joe… I have to thank you again. Without your help I would still have only four readers, me, my kid, my SIL and one paid employee. I appreciate all the support and help you’ve given me. I may just have to name my next dog after you.
I am breaking my no comment rule to say thank you. You epitomize class and kindness. You have real heart and I feel blessed to know you. Now, back to my anti-commenting attitude.
Love,
Kel
[Tara R.] Kelly… wow… I’m truly touched. I know how special this is and I really appreciate it. You are a very special person and I am so glad we met.
awh, you made me get vaklempt. **need a tissue** hehe. i should name a dog after you
love the picture. very cool. you rawk my friend, beany
[Tara R.] Beany… I take my friends very seriously.
You all rawk!
What a great blingie…thingie!
[Tara R.] April… thanks! It took me a while, just playing around on my Mac, to get it to look like I wanted. It did turn out kinda cool.
your award bling bling looks sooo cool on my award page! you did awesome. i take em seriously, too. my special people mean the world to me. we were not meant to travel through this journey on our own completely. we were given angels to share our walk with us. we know them best as friends.
ok, i seriously filled up your in box waaay too much tonight, hehehe. you are so easy to share notes with so often. g’night sweet thing, beany
[Tara R.] Beany… wow… that is so sweet. I really like that idea. I have known some wonderful people who undoubtedly could be angels walking the earth. G’night, girl!
you’re one of them my friend
beany
[Tara R] Beany… thanks! My mamma loves me too.