An email last week has opened up the potential of meeting another blogger in person, during a big move across states. Considering the extent of her trip, I offered up my home as a meeting place, as well as an opportunity for a hot meal, a shower, and if nothing else, a chance to be out of the car for a while.
Excitedly, I babbled on and on to Ben about putting our tentative meet-up plans in motion. He was less excited . . . and responded with a look that indicated I had lost my mind. (I get that look a lot.)
He wasn’t exactly thrilled with the idea of having “strangers” in our home.
While my immediate reaction was less than ladylike, I have to admit that I did understand where Ben was coming from. As far as he was concerned, this blogger is just a name that I’ve mentioned once or twice. (Or that’s how many times he’s paid attention, but you get the point.)
Bloggers have such a unique opportunity for friendship: one that is difficult to understand by anyone outside of our social media world. The ability to put words on a screen, opening up about ourselves and pouring out our hearts to the unknown, and being reimbursed by the friendship of total strangers is an amazing feat.
And then, without warning, they’re not strangers anymore. We know their hopes, their fears, their kid’s names and routines, and their spouse’s quirks.
Some of the people I love the most have never spoken to me on the phone, or sat with me on my back porch, sipping wine and giggling into the wee hours of the morning. But they know me. They get me. They support and console me.
They are nothing like strangers.
I had to remind Ben that this isn’t the first time I’ve invited a “stranger” to our house. Last summer, a three day visit cemented my friendship with Amanda. She’s one of my best friends.
Not an “irl” friend. Not a “blog” friend. A friend, period.
Once getting over the initial shock (since I sprung the plans on him without warning), Ben warmed up to the idea pretty quickly.
And really, “strangers” aren’t the worst things that I could bring home . . .
Need I say more?
Have you met up with other bloggers outside
of conferences/social media luncheons?
I meet up with friends I met online almost every time I travel for work. And once, when Michael and I were driving half way across the country home from vacation – we stayed with a couple in their home and we were instant friends forever! I highly recommend it
I have- and it just feels normal. Like getting to see a friend after a long time- not for the first time, but just like seeing them “again.”
Shell recently posted..At the Pool {Annoyances}
I actually have a dream to be able to do a roadtrip and meet or stay with bloggers throughout the journey. No plans. No itinerary. Just going… and seeing where the trip may lead. How many states can be crossed into. How many new people can be met.
I am one of *those* people that loves meeting new people and would welcome anyone in my area to stay with me. Well, any friend that I “know”. I love getting together with friends near and far… and consider them blessings that have changed my life forever.
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I haven’t yet, but I could definitely see myself having a night out with the other #RandomBloggers. My other half is less than enthusiastic about it though. He prefers to keep to himself.
That said, many years ago I went to the movies with several friends from an online game and had A BLAST.
Determined Momma recently posted..Week 2 of Win This Bag Giveaway
I have not met bloggers but I have met several online friends from various sites across the ‘net. One that sticks out the most for me is a friend that lives approximately 2 hours from me. She had a stroke and I made special plans with her husband to visit her in the hospital as a surprise. It was not her best “moment” to meet a stranger but she was absolutely thrilled to meet me, in fact she and her husband attended our wedding just a couple years after that! She is now my most trusted friend online & offline. We don’t get to see each other but the fact that she just a click away anytime I need her (or by phone) is very comforting.
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I have not yet, but sounds like fun for you! I understand his caution but it would have to be a pretty elaborate ruse for someone to carry on for a very long time to be an active blogger and befriend you, then make up a whole move that will bring her to your area
Hope you have a wonderful time!
Marisa recently posted..July – A Month of "Series"
I haven’t met any of my awesome blog friend irl, but I can’t wait too! Quick, where do you live? Roadtrip!
Leila recently posted..Around the House Event: Home Office (US Only)
I have. There is a women who lives in the NYC area that I became friendly with on Twitter. One day I realized we would both be int he city on the same day and around the same day so I sent her a private message asking if she wanted to try to meet up. We and we had a fabulous time and still remain friends!
Diane N – Philzendia recently posted..Get Your Little Rookie in Gear With RookieUSA
hahahaha!!! As the person in this post I find it extra hilarious but I do understand. Chris, Nate and I stayed the night with a blogger friend last summer and her husband was a little weird about it until we got there. He thought we would be big guys out to steal their TVs lmao. Meeting other bloggers for spouses is like an animal in the wild, they are usually more scared of you then you are of them.
I am still learning the ropes of blogging and have not went to any Blog events, yet! I would invite anyone in Random Bloggers to my house, we are family!
Heather Beyant recently posted..Sticky Situations and Family Saftey~ What to do if…
Jason thought I was crazy for hosting a tweetup at our house once. I have to admit, when you say it out loud, it does sound a little weird, but I love those gals and totally consider then IRL friends now
Jen – Life With Levi recently posted..Featured Giveaway: Fluffy Fourth Of July
I think Eric would be just as freaked out, but really? I totally agree with you…friends are friends…and how exciting!
Not a Perfect Mom recently posted..You Have To Be Smarter Than The Dishwasher
My husband feels the same way about “strangers”, but many of them became a very close “real life” friends. I’ve met up with a couple of bloggers, and intend to continue making friends who understand what an RSS feed is, haha!
Monique recently posted..Focus – Day Seven!
I’ve only met one other blogger & that was because I won a giveaway & we found out she lived right by me so she dropped off my prize
I seem to meet friends online though. Plus, I met my husband online almost 15 years ago so it can’t be all bad 
I am just entering the blogging world so I have not had any opportunities to meet any other bloggers in person. I will say that I have been really impressed with the quality of bloggers that I have started to get to know.
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I would have LOVED To met Amanda! And you for that matter!
I met Mama B last summer at a playdate at her house. I also met the mom from The Life of Rylie…and Bryce Too at the same party. I have plans to meet Jayme from The Tater Twins this summer because we live about an hour and a half from one another now.
The BEST meeting was with Simply Junebug. We were attending a Blogelina twitter party and she said she lived in Savannah. I was like, “OMG, I DO TOO! Where in Savannah?” and she said, “Pooler” and I was all, “SHUTUP! That’s where I LIVE!” And she said, “Nu-HU! WHERE?!” And I was like, “The Highlands!” And she said, “SHUTUP! THAT’S WHERE I LIVE!” Come to find out, we lived in neighborhoods right across the street from each other. I could walk to her house in 5 minutes. We met at a coffee shop a few weeks later and she is one of my favorite people in the world.
Well Summer, if you ever find yourself in Starkville, MS you hit me up! I’m a pretty fun person, if I do say so myself!!
And Jenn, I loved becoming friends friends with you. And kicking your butt in card games
Life According to Amanda recently posted..The perfect addition to every bathroom
I haven’t met anyone from the blogger world yet, but would like to when the opportunity comes up.
Nicoyle recently posted..I’ve Found a New Hobby, Duct Tape
LOL, I love the pups.
I know what you mean – my family thinks that people I communicate with online are aliens. They don’t get it. AT ALL.
I have a best friend from Mississippi whom I have never met in my life. We email constantly and I call her from time to time. She’s been there for me through difficult times, more so than a lot of my so-called ‘real world’ friends have been.
The online realm is different and that’s true. Blogging is different, too. You can find genuine and sincere individuals who pour their hearts out through writing and you can know a person before you even meet them. The writing here online sort of helps weed through the crazies (sort of) so I don’t underestimate online relationships.
So nice to see you met another blogger buddy
Dylan Lin Calista recently posted..When You Scam People Online
I haven’t met any fellow bloggers, but I would definitely still call some of them friends. There are 2 of them in particular that I would be oh so sad if I never heard from them again. I would LOVE to meet any of my bloggy buddies one day!
I used to have pen pals though and I’ve met several of them. I still keep in touch with 2 of them, even after all this time!
I wish blogger hadn’t changed. It doesn’t bring up your blog anymore so I have to manually come visit and sometimes I forget to do that. Sorry!
sprinkles recently posted..Happy Independence Day!
That is awesome! My husband can’t say that because he & I met ONLINE! So yeah that argument would be short lol But I personally have not met another blogger & I am super bummed! Hope yours happens =D
Nicole recently posted..Back to Life.
That is such an awesome story!!! I love it! That is how Ray was about Kristen PGIP and I staying together for BBC Philly. And… it was just as amazing! I love your big heart and bigger personality!!