I’ve been doing this blogging thing for a while now and SO very many bloggers have come and gone and stayed and some that I used to be enthused with I no longer am (just bein’ honest) and some new ones just blow my mind with their awesomeness.
If I had hours days I would tell you about all of them.
Blogging it so crazy really, when you think about it. We put ourselves out there on the daily and ANY person with an internet connection can find us and see photos and even read our words and ultimately KNOW what is in our hearts. Without even having met us.
Thankfully we do get the chance to meet those who do this blogging thing along side us and we can sit next to each other at a table with our laptops and iPhones, posting pictures of our stout coffee or THE cutest new pair of boots on our feet and those around us won’t scoff or make fun. You know, because they are doing the same thing. 😉
I’m so thankful to have this community because let’s face it, still to this day, not everyone understands this “blogging thing”. Even my mother has a hard time wrapping her head around it, I believe. (Hi Mom!) So it’s just so darn great to have other people doing this who I know “get me”.
See, I got a comment on my blog this morning from someone who said “I’m visiting from Momma Made it Look Easy” I thought “Huh, wonder why they are visiting from Jen’s place” and of course I clicked over.
Turns out she put a list on her blog this morning of some of her favorite blogs and I am on it (!!) and she said some really, REALLY nice things about me and I almost did started to cry.
Here’s the thing. When I started this blog 5.2 years ago. I NEVER had ANY idea that I would make friends doing it. NONE.
I started it because I knew I loved to take photos and talk about my kids and I thought it was a good way for family and friends to keep up with us. And for me to exercise my writing chops a bit (although if you read my firsts posts you would have NO IDEA that such thought existed in my head – ha!)
BUT THEN.
Something tragic happened in the life of one of my best IRL friends and I met Nicole that way (she is a mutual friend) and in an email to those of us concerned, she linked to her blog. And on the sidebar of her blog…a list of a bunch of other blogs.
It was in that moment that I had this crazy “OMG, lots of other people do this too!?!??!” epiphany and…
…as they say A LOT, the rest is history.
I’m not sure why I write all of this. I guess I’m a bit pensive about the fact that I have made some very good friends JUST because I write this blog. People that I truly love and adore and that enrich my life. And these two ladies are JUST the beginning (and are both so wonderful!!)
Anyway, it simply amazes me the friends I’ve made.
I think I’ll keep blogging. I mean, who knows who I have YET to meet, right?
Yeah I’m here to stay.
Emmy says
You are right,those that don’t blog just don’t quite get it. It is a wonderful thing and so liberating at times too. I have been blogging for over three years now and have no intention of stopping 🙂
Jennifer says
Look how cute my hair was.
Kidding! I completely agree with you. I’ve met some amazing people through blogging, like you. I just wish we could actually all BE together more. That’s the hard part.
Elaine A. says
I wish we could too. Also, do you SEE this? I’m replying to you on BLOGGER!
Katie @ Loves of Life says
I just got home from chick fil a meeting with a friend and her son Eme’s age, and blogging brought us together. She read my blog for a long time, and we knew we had a bunch of mutual connections and that we lived close–and we finally were like, lets get together! And now? She’s one of my closest friends and I’m so glad God put her in my life. So, yea. I’m so with you.
Christina Klas says
Wow. There’s so much left in this blogging journey for me to discover. It would be fun to develop friendships this way… Since I’m just in the beginning it is hard for me to imagine – but I guess you never know! 🙂
Doran & Jody says
Keep on posting!
Doran & Jody says
I got reading more of you blog….hmm
I thought you quit for awhile because I have been following you forever but you haven’t shown up in my feed. It looks like you haven’t quit. Wonder what happened.
Anyway, nice to see you again.
Jill says
I couldn’t agree more! I have met some truly wonderful people while blogging, but I haven’t been blogging as long as you yet…. 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Blessings,
Jill
Kami's Khlopchyk says
Amen! I hope to one day meet you in person…it’s on my bucket list 🙂
Barbara says
I noticed your blog today on Jen’s post as well. I am a new reader of hers and now will be a new reader here. 🙂 Great blog!
Jane Anne says
What a wonderful tribute to blogging! I just love the community of bloggers. Even though I have seasons where I blog daily and other seasons where my posts are hit and miss, I always love my friends in blogland. Love the pictures and stories!
Galit Breen says
YAY! Love that you’re here to stay and love the connections and friendships that you’ve made! Pretty amazing, yes? 🙂
jesterqueen.com says
I’ve been at it less than a year, and I’m already finding these friendships – very real ones – that I wouldn’t trade for anything. Thanks for visiting Jester Queen!
AnnG says
Yeah, I love the connection to others that I get through the blogging world! It’s astounding to me that there are so many out there that started off just wanting to do “x” and ended up meeting wonderful friends! Love it!
Mommy Mo says
I’m one of those you met through blogging- yeah us!!!!! xoxoxoxo
Alison@Mama Wants This says
I’ve thought about giving up blogging a few times – and then quickly squashed that thought because, yes, the friends, the love, the community. Who could give that up and why would they???
I’m glad to hear you’re here to stay – I hope I will be too for a long time. And it was nice to have virtually met you.
Maggie S. says
Exactly.
Leighannn says
It still amazes me when family and friends tell me they read my words. I imagine strangers reading. But when I look through the comments I only see friends names…people I have connected with and built friendships with.
Your pictures above are gorgeous!! You are stunning
Carrie - ASassyRedhead.com says
Wow…I’m starting to really understand what you mean. I started only last September (or was it October??) and never dreamed I’d stick with it for more than a month.
Then I started connecting with blogs I read.
Then some started to connecting with mine.
And now, there’s these people who seem to like me for who I am. Because I’m way more honest on my blog than I can be in real life. And there are people who think I’m ok.
And I seriously look forward to the day I get to meet you!
Mel says
I’ve seen a lot of blogers come and go as well and have found my taste in blogs I read change. Its nice still visiting some of my oldies but goodies. I always like discovering those who still believe in me too. Happy Sunday.
Christina says
Elaine,
What a lovely surprise from Jen to get you thinking. I agree. Many have come and gone. My taste has changed, so has others. Many of my non-blogger friends can’t seem to understand how my online friends become my IRL friends. I remember meeting both you and Jen at that BBC in Austin. My life is so much richer because of people like you.
nicole says
Thanks for the shoutout! I can’t believe I’m doing this five years later. Some of my friends definitely think it is crazy that I’m going to a conference for it. 🙂 So happy to have met you via blogging and to call you a friend.
anymommy says
It’s pretty darn amazing when I think about the people I would NEVER know if it weren’t for blogging. Hope you keep at it for a long, long time.
Kmama says
I had no idea about the whole blogging thing until I really stepped out and created my own, almost 3 years ago now. It really is crazy!