So I just got back from BlogHer. I’m totally spent and my mind is blur of all that transpired. There were parts that I loved and parts that I didn’t. But I don’t want to focus on the negative because truly, at the heart of the matter, I got to spend the weekend with some amazing people.
I roomed with three fabulous Raleigh ladies. But we are uber lame and didn’t take a picture together, so here’s a collage of me with Andrea, Amy and Andrea (B!). It was so great to come together at the end of the day and decompress and chit chat into the wee hours of the night.
Thursday night was crazy. I beebopped all over Times Square and Mid-town. During all that beeboppin’ I met Roo from Nice Girl Notes. You know how sometimes you meet someone and you just click? I already adored her from reading her posts, but now I adore her for all that she is. And she is funny! We took our first pedicab ride together and enjoyed playfully harassing the poor dude trekkin with three of us ladies in the back. Bless his heart with all the cabbies trying to run us over. (We really weren’t scared for our lives. Wink.)
I literally felt like most of the night was spent doing drive-by hugs and “let’s catch up later” as I passed all sorts of lovely ladies whom I know and love. There were so many people that I wish I had spent more time with or at least, some semblance of quality time. But the times that I did share? They were AWESOME.
And that’s what I keep going back to – the small group and one on one moments over the course of the weekend. There was breakfast with Baby Bjorn (thanks Andrea for the invite!), dinner for Amy’s birthday, breakfast with Nicole, coffee with Cheryl and dinner with Julia and the Cheese Suite gang. Those moments are the ones that stick out in my head.
I have a core group of girlfriends here in Raleigh that have been with me forever. We don’t get together nearly enough. Our kids range from newborn to nine years old so our activities are all over the map. We need to be better about getting together because I miss them.
So while this past weekend was not spent with my steadfast, longtime friends, it was spent with a new group – a group that I identify with even if some of us live hundreds if not thousands of miles apart. Blogging has let me become a part of a community — one that I am beyond proud to be a part of.
We started out as strangers on the Internet. Then we became online friends. But now, it’s more. It’s real.
I am honored to call you all my friends. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
See ya on the flip side (or the next conference.) You know, whichever comes first.
PS. I sincerely apologize if any of you are now singing the “make new friends” song from Girl Scouts.
One of my highlights was most certainly meeting you in person! The conference would have had to e a month long for me too spend time with everyone I wanted to! I hope next time our paths cross it will involve quiet, a glass of wine and loads of chatting!
(you roomed with Andera!?! LOVED HER!!!)
I wish I had seen you for more than 3 seconds! BlogHer is always a blur and I am glad to be there but always wishing it was smaller so I could find people. I;m glad you had a good time and can’t wait to connect more!
You are so right about it being fabulous to spend time with our online friends….which if I am being honest, I probably see more than some of my in real life friends—OR—several of my online friends have actually become my IRL friends. I am incredibly thankful to have spent the weekend among women that support eachother and make eachother laugh! Also– It was great to see you even if just in passing at different points throughout the weekend!
I know! I feel like I saw you 100 times but we never really got a chance to talk. Next time for sure!
So glad I could steal you away for a few minutes to play with Hot Wheels!! Love hanging out in person. 🙂
You and Andrea were big highlights of my trip. LOVED hanging out. Wannu do it again and again, etc. 🙂
Also, that picture is hysterical, and I kind of want it on my wall.
It was SO nice to finally meet you!!!! Wish there was more time… Glad you had fun!
One of the bad parts of my trip was not spending enough quality time with you. I think next time I just need to plant my tush somewhere and make everyone I love come and sit down and talk to me.
I DO have that song stuck in my head. Thanks. 😉
TOTALLY singing the song. . .and SO glad I got to hang out with you a bit. Not nearly enough though, so let’s figure out when the next time will be!!
xox
Hillary
It was SO nice to meet you too Andrea! 🙂
Yes Erin! EVERYONE is now singing that song! I am so happy we were able to steal a little bit of time and catch up. Of course it wasn’t enough. What a crazy weekend!
Love that pic of you at the Hot Wheels suite. It just screams ERIN!
As a matter of fact, I AM now singing the song… was great to meet you though! Looking forward to connecting again. =)
I love this kind of spirit with BLogHer: be open to new friends, stay away and go beyond the cliques, incorporate and welcome everyone: be open minded even if someone doesn’t look your type.
i wish everyone there had your head set, and didn’t discount someone just because they dress differently, or seem older, or quiet…
Love this. Bless you for being open armed and loving to all the ones walking around looking for a friendly invite to tag along.