follow friday

Even though I've been blogging since April 22, 2008, it took me about six months to tell my family and friends that I had a blog. Instead, I spent that time writing for strangers and reading about the lives of people I'd never met. Today they're no longer just strangers or even just bloggers/readers. In honor of Twitter's Friday tradition, #followfriday, I'd like to highlight all of those blends and their anecdotes now. Why? Because I like this sentimental stuff :).

A few weekends ago, a few of my NYC friends (who just happen to also blog) and I went to Sofia's party. Her and her boyfriend (BT) will be competing in Guactacular this weekend and needed some sophisticated palates to test their creative guacamole recipes--I met the amazing host through Leslie, a blogger that has authentically become one of my best friends. We realized the other day that we've been friends for almost two years now, beginning at the second to last BeamGreen event that the ever-amazing Gena invited us to. As for Miss Shayne, well, we were solely coworkers at The Well Daily... until we hung out outside of work, and thus obviously became friends.--Fabulous times were had as expected.

Other blogettes have simply stopped in the city for a short time yet we've quickly bonded. These special people include Kailey who spent Thanksgiving of 2008 with my family. We also celebrated New Year's Eve's Eve together, in addition to exploring Brooklyn, eating frozen yogurt and dancing at frat bars when she was visiting Muffin this past summer. Then, in August, I had the pleasure of meeting Sagan while she was here for BlogHer. We wined on a Wednesday and fell for Eve on a Sunday. It couldn't have been sweeter.

At the Healthy Living Summit (also in August of last summer), I was able to meet even more. I was thrilled to finally chat with Jenn and Melissa in person. We've been in contact for years so it was a long time coming and they're just as awesome as they seem. I then spent time with Heather in person. We'd planned Bloggie Secret Santa the previous year and had emailed lots beforehand. Oh, and I met tons of new faces too. I couldn't begin to list them here, but, I will mention the delightful Shannon. Especially since we're now neighbors :). 

My road trip was phenomenal for many reasons. One being that I was able to literally stay with  bloggies around the United States: Rachel in Raleigh, Holly in Madison, and Rose in Pittsburgh. They basically rock in general, but also because they offered to host me and show me such fantastic times in their respective homes. Two being that I was able to go on dates with more ladies that blog: Caitlin in Austin, Jenna in Sonoma, Claire in Ann Arbor and Miss Gliding Calm.

I guess it all began at a Candle 79 dinner party. The darling Liz was coming to town (we'd bonded once before) and invited me to join the blogger meet-up that would become my first. There I met Amelia and Deirdre (who I also saw at the HLS), Katie and her boyfriend, and many others. It was awkward, my food was served cold and I left feeling somewhat stunned by the fact that we already knew so much about each other for only having met that night.

Now, I've gotten used to it. And these days I actually view these occasions as regular weekly outings. One great one of which you've seen in the four photos above. 'Twas a Monday night spent with Megan (met this Valentine in the home of another Valentine at the best potluck ever), Katie and Leslie; music, wine and gelato. I'm so happy to know them all, and honestly, honored to call them my friends. Now if only I could arrange a meet up with Gillian, and Jessica, and...