I’ve been blogging since early 2008, and in the years that have followed, I’ve been fortunate to meet quite a large number of fellow bloggers. The majority of them, I met at BEA in 2010, but outside of that, I’ve met a dozen or so others. I love the modern world of technology, where you can get to know someone over years and years even if you’ve never met in person. There are some people who are afraid of the idea of meeting someone in real life that you’ve only known online, but I’ve never been afraid, and I’ve never once had a bad experience. Sure, there are some get-togethers that are more awkward than others, when you run out of things to say or don’t have the same conversational style. But it’s never once been unpleasant.
Ceri from Not in the Pink is a blogger from Wales whom I’ve known since my early days of blogging. I believe we first got to know each other back when I was still with the group blog 5-Squared, though neither of us remember exactly how we found each other. We’ve read each others’ blogs, watched each others’ vlogs, and generally chatted over a whole variety of social media over the years. This summer, we both started the 100 Happy Days project within days of each other, without knowing the other was planning it. Ceri is teaching in Korea right now, and I was so excited when I found out she was coming to this part of the States on vacation. Boston was one of the stops on her list and we quickly planned a meetup.
This was not one of those meetups with awkward pauses and trying to fill in conversation. No. From the moment we met up in the cafe we’d chosen, it was all hugs and smiles and fast-flowing talk. (Note: The guy sitting next to us at the cafe was eyeing us like there was something wrong with us because we were so excited and kept saying how unreal this was to finally see each other.) We had drinks, and later went to lunch, and just generally hung out and chatted for about 4.5 hours before I dropped her back off at the subway station when my kids were due home from school. It was such a short time, and even so, I was nearly in tears when we said goodbye. I think we hugged about five times before separating.
I love my blogger friends so much. You people were here for me in a time when I desperately needed social interaction (unlike most book bloggers, I’m fairly extroverted) and couldn’t leave my house because I had three small children at home. I hope I get to meet all of you one day!
PS – To Ceri: Ash looked for you when I got back to the house, and looked up at me with a questioning mew. 🙂
The Zen Leaf 
I am SO jealous!! I love meeting blogger friends. My best friend is someone I met through blogging, so I know what you mean about social media opening up the entire world.
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I’ve met so many good friends through blogging! Sometimes the people we connect most with are FAR AWAY, ha.
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I love meeting my blogger friends in real life. It’s such a comfort to finally be in the same spot with someone who knows you so well and feels the same way that you do. Such a good feeling, glad you both got a chance to meet up!
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yes, that’s exactly it! The first time I ever felt that was the first time I got together with fellow writers for NaNoWriMo. There were people out there who understood! :O
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How exciting! It’s so nice when the chemistry online transfers to the face-to-face.
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Yes it is! I remember hanging out with you day after day at BEA. I hope we can get together again one day!
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I have only ever met one blogger so I am jealous about all these meet-ups! One day I will meet more!
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I hope I get to meet you one day!
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Aw, this is wonderful! I’d love to get the chance to meet some of my blogger friends someday. It’s awesome that you’ve already met so many of them. 🙂
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It’s such a wonderful experience. 🙂
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How did I miss this post, girl? This was honestly one of the highlights of my East coast trip. I had so much fun meeting you last year and wished we could have done a few more meetups. I definitely see more on the horizon one day, hun. xx
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We definitely have to meet up again one day! Maybe I can come to you, wherever you happen to be in the world! I admire the path you’ve taken in life so much, dear!
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