We’ve all said it, and many of you have as well.
WordPress Blogging has become so much more than we ever thought it would be. What started out as travel diary, forum for writing, sharing of photography, enlightenment about art, gardening, or crafting, or keeping up with family has become a community of international friends.
Over the last several days, 8 WP bloggers from 3 countries and 2 states, have met in various locations to continue in person, the relationships that have been forged through the world of blogging.
Laurie, Boomdee, Pauline, Alys, and Julia in Old Town Alexandria.
We marveled that while most of us had never met each other, we talked and laughed as if we’d known each other for years.
Which, of course, we had.
Laurie, Stacy, Boomdee, Alys, Lisa, Pauline, and Patty in Georgetown
What might have seemed unusual to friends and family (“you’re letting someone you’ve never met stay in your home?”), to us seemed natural. No doubts.
Our days have been full of laughter, many hugs, lots of delicious food and the sharing of stories.
Pauline, Shelley, Boomdee, Alys
We’re still in the middle of this amazing gathering of friends, but I wanted to share the joy, because of course, there are so many of you out there that I would love to meet!
Let’s get to planning. I promise it is worth the effort!
We’ve got another couple days here in Radford before I put Boomdee, Kelly, and Pauline on the train back to DC. Until the, we’ll fill every single moment with the joy of being together.
And now, while the others get a bit more rest, I’m off to work on the campaign for a couple hours.
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 
How wonderful Laurie! Sounds like you are all having a blast!
You would have fit right in, Lynn!
Laurie, I have met with two friends so far, and yes, it is a blast! Someday I hope to meet with you.
I very much hope the same, Lynda!
Thanks for the photos. I have saved them to see as often as I choose. I feel like I’m there taking the photo and enjoying the conversation and giggles too. Glad I didn’t miss this. Hugs all around. M
We’ve talked fondly of you, Marlene, so your ears may have been burning 🙂
You are too kind. I’m sure in light of your diversity, you have many more interesting things about which to converse. Have a giggling good time. Then share. 🙂
I had the same thought, Marlene! I am saving the photos so I can see these wonderful women’s faces whenever I like. Laurie’s comments about trusting each other though we’ve never met remind me of what you said to me about our meeting: you had no worries about what kind of person I would be. You felt safe with me. I certainly felt safe meeting you, because I already knew you. We are forming the most beautiful friendships here in Bloggerland. I love being able to participate in the lives of so many wonderful people.
It’s what keeps me writing. Glad you are home again. We will have to schedule a Gustav’s run. 🙂
Yes! And the bonus will be: it won’t take weeks of planning! ha ha
Very cool. Sounds like great fun.
Mike, it has indeed been great fun! Joe almost made it down … next time, you’ll both have to join us!
You are right, there is a lot of joy in these smiles you are sharing. What a fun experience! I am looking forward to connecting with a couple blogger friends this summer, it does feel really exciting! Enjoy your time together, it is special to share uninterrupted time like that together.
Carrie, I’m so glad you’ll be “meeting” blogger friends (in quotes because of course, you’ve already met them). What fun!
What a beautiful group of ladies! Good for you, Laurie! Enjoy every minute :-).
Sharon, it’s been so much fun. Wish you were near!
Marvellous
Marvelous indeed, Derrick! I hope to visit your blog soon (just a bit distracted lately 🙂 )
Well, you have a pretty good reason 🙂
This is so awesome Laurie and I so disappointed I missed this gathering 😦 It really looks like you all are having a great time. Its funny you mentioned that although you have all never met before you talked and laughed as if you have all been friends forever. I had the same experience when I met Patti in Manhattan it seemed like I knew her my whole life. You know what this means though ? Next gathering in Manhattan and the drinks are on me 🙂
No doubt! We will gather in Manhattan! I look forward to the day.
And yes, I remember reading about your meet up with Patti. What an incredible gift this blogging thing has become!
Completely agree with Joe and the natural ease of companionship which is so obvious in the great time you are all having together. Now to start planning the Manhattan chapter. Funny isn’t it how once upon a time we had friends in the real world and friends in the “blog” world, seen as two distinct camps which now, years down the track, the lines between the two seem to have fallen away.
Love this post. Love the photos. Love you, Laurie, for being who you are. What a fabulous group of women! What joy you all radiate.
Thank you, Mary, for that comment. You always say just the right thing.
Next time: You’ll have to join us!
Reblogged this on Boomdeeadda and commented:
Hello dear friends, I’ve missed you all tons but have a perfectly good excuse. As you may know, I’m on holiday with some favourite friends. Friends I’ve grown to love right here at WordPress. Thanks so much for your reads, comments and passion on your own sites. May we also be lucky to cross paths one day too. Laurie at ‘Life On A Bike and Other Fab Things’ has shared a glimpse of our travels and get togethers this week. Please read on to join in the fun. xo B
Boomdee, I must’ve had a premonition. I did a post but forgot to check if there was any about your gathering 🙂 came back on to WordPress and here it was, a brand new post. How wonderful, I wish I was there too! Enjoy, love the photos, it all looks very happy 🙂 xx
Hi Wendy! Thank you so much for popping in and for the gorgeous soap (saving for home) that smells just scrumpous and the lip balm which I’m copiously applying to my lips. Fantastic and such a joy to receive all the way from your dear garden. I do wish you could have stowed away in Pauline’s luggage to enjoy all the visiting and laughs. It’s been such a pleasure to be with all these fun loving gals here, there and everywhere. Will catch up back in Canada. xoK
Oh Boomdee, I wish I could’ve stowed away in her luggage too, I would’ve loved it all. I hope you are having just the best time full of precious memories. I have other stuff here to send you, I wanted Pauline’s to get there first but the wait has felt uncomfortable 🙂 🙂 Have a great time Kelly. xxx
Big hugs and lots of love and laughs!
I love this post! Being able to get a group together like this must have been an amazing experience!!
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a few blogging friends and it is exactly as you described. When you love someone’s personality, wit, and charm online, it stands to reason you will love them in person too!
This is a wonderful community and the relationships I’ve found online are an amazing ‘accident’!!
Joanne, I’m so glad you’ve experienced this incredibly joy, and your comments are spot on! Would love to meet you someday!
… and I would love to meet you!
I think it’s a fabulous idea to have a mini ‘blogger’s convention’ 🙂
Joanne is correct a “Mini Bloggers” convention is in order 🙂
The community of bloggers is an amazing thing. What started for me as a place to archive writing, music schedule and a few photos has become a place for friends, old and new from all over the world, to gather. Looks like you all had a great time!
Hello Lavinia! Your comment mirrors mine, and you are so right. It’s been a blast!
Enjoyed your blog, and I’m sure you have all had blast. What a wonderful way to meet new friends. I gather you took good care of our Kelly
We are taking care of Kelly, and she is taking care of us. Lots of laughs, good food, and fun!
It is always like that, isn’t, you are catching up with friends, but you have never been in the same room before, I love it when I get opportunities to be together in person the people I’ve got to know through wordpress.
I’m so glad you’ve experienced this same joy, Leanne.
You never know … we may just get over to your part of the world someday!
Woohoo! So good to have met everyone! Looking forward to keeping it up. Thanks for doing the write-up, Laurie!
Lisa, it was an absolute blast to meet you! I look forward to checking out your blog, although I do worry as the campaign is taking up time that I would have spent on visiting blogs.
So incredibly glad you were with us on Saturday!
Reblogged this on The Contented Crafter and commented:
Hi all! [waving happily from South-West Virginia] We are so happy here! Our days are spent talking, laughing, eating, [drinking some too] meeting so many great people over good food in great dining establishments and wondeful homes …….. It is just like meeting up with old friends and picking up on old conversations – I feel so very fortunate to be part of this adventure! Have a look here to see some photos of the gang …………….
Big hugs and lots of love and laughs
Hi Pauline, I can see you are having a delightful time! Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy. Sending hugs to all the lovely ladies who made this fabulous meet up happen. I love the photos. I don’t know why I couldn’t comment directly on you blog. Best wishes to all you lovely ladies. Have fun!!!
Looks like a wonderful gathering. Is it easy to understand the Kiwi version of English?
Definitely! Everyone loves Pauline’s accent, and of course, every other thing about her.
Great …. and tell her Frank in Cincinnati said hello!
Reblogged this on Gardening Nirvana and commented:
I’ve descended on D.C. and wish you were all here to share in this extraordinary experience. I feel like I’m in a cocoon, wrapped in the joy of spending time with fellow bloggers from around the world. We’ve been hosted by Julia of Defeat Despair, Shelly of Peak Perspective and Laurie of Life on the Bike. Here is a virtual postcard of sorts, shared via Laurie. xox
Much love, laughter and hugs to you, Alys!
You are an amazing soul.
Wonderful! So thrilled for all of you.
Thank you – it’s been amazing!
Hope you made plans for a reunion!
remarkable and wonderful! you women rock!
Alys was praising you and your wonderful photography just yesterday, Cindy! I look forward to checking out your blog!
Bet you have all talked your jaws sore 😀
No doubt about it! And laughed til our stomachs ached!
ha ha ha! I’m certain you are right!
Can’t be, I have never been that before 🙂
Sooooooooooooo jealous! But what a wonderful opportunity it must be, you all look like you are having a blast! x
This visit has been an incredible gift!
So happy for you all!! xo Johanna
Johanna, we’ve talked of you and your wonderful family and sketches. It’s been wonderful to have everyone here!
That puts a big smile on my face, thank you!
How wonderful for you to share pictures and a glimpse of your gathering. Enjoy!
After the months and months of planning, I cannot believe it is already over. Thank goodness for memories and photos. What a fabulous gathering!
A posting filled with happy
smiles and sweet memories…
Lovely 🙂
Andro xx
Andro, as always, thank you for visiting. It was a wonderful, wonderful visit!
So many “Say cheeses” in one room! Lovely photos, lovely ladies and what a chance to explore the world via besties met on the net. A lovely post. Cheers for sharing it with us all 🙂
Thanks Fran. You’ve been mentioned fondly!
Can you please tell Ms Pauline (if she is still within “cooee”…) that I got my lovely mitts and they arrived just as the weather took a turn for the coldest. She has a perfect knack 🙂
I’ve read this two or three times now–what fun!!! I am so envious of you all!
Hi Kerry! Next time you’ll have to join us! Because there WILL be a next time!
That sounds like a great weekend Laurie!
Morning Mae (at least it’s morning as I’m writing). After all of the planning, it’s sad to think that it’s over. Thankfully, the memories, photos, and plans to meet again will sustain us.
Sounds completely wonderful – hope you all have a fantastic time together!
Thanks for visiting and commenting. It was a fabulous time for sure!
You weren’t kidding when you said that you would all be getting together. The wonders of WordPress and the people we can meet there. Good for you, Laurie.
It was such a gift, Bruce. Someday I’ll be in your part of the country! 🙂
Thanks for the post, Laurie! You captured the event so well, in a way we can all relate: what happened to us here is bigger than we ever expected, when we first set out to publish a few words and photos. All those smiles and all the love in those photos… ahhhh…. makes me happy. ❤
Crystal, you said it perfectly. I look forward to the time when you and I can meet.
Now … as of this moment, I am caught up on replying to comments.
Next … visiting blogs!!
Boy, this girl gang really knows how to live. I feel so thoroughly fortunate to have had a small sliver of time with some of you, Laurie. You are each as dynamic, warm and oozing with wisdom and humor as I knew you would be.
I look forward to the next time–because there will most definitely be a next time. Who wouldn’t want to repeat something so brilliant? ❤
You were the most gracious and fun host!! Thank you for everything! We loved our visit and you!
Laurie, That is absolutely fabulous! So very exciting and such a lovely group of talented and inspiring women! Awesome!!
it really was awesome, Robyn! Another example of the gifts of blogging 🙂
How wonderful to be able to meet your blogging friends in person! I’m not surprised that you talked together as if old friends.
It really did seem that way. No hesitation, no discomfort. The only problem? Not enough time!
Oh, I’m SO glad to see this! Sounds like a fabulous time is happening . . . thanks for taking the time to share 🙂
We were brimming with excitement and couldn’t wait to share!!
How wonderful to meet up with blogging friends, you all look so happy! 🙂 Lovely photos and I can imagine how much fun it must have been.
It truly was a wonderful time!
Someday, you’ll have to join us … or we’ll come to you 🙂
That would be lovely! 🙂
I LOVE THIS! Watch for yet another link to this wonderful post, coming soon to a blog near you…with a few more photos, hee-hee! Thanks so much, for everything!
I’ll look forward to that, Julia! Health to Jeff and Matt, and love to you!
Reblogged this on Visual Venturing and commented:
Ten days ago, I was honored and excited to join a very special gathering of the most amazing women I had never met! Five WordPress bloggers traveled from as far away as New Zealand; Alberta, Canada; and California, to spend a week together in Virginia celebrating the friendships they had formed through their blogs. Imagine my delight when I was asked to join them for lunch in Washington, DC, just days after the group had met for the first time! Concerned that I would be crashing their party, Laurie assured me I was welcome and that there would be two other “invitees” as well. And so I went. And it was fabulous! I was warmly welcomed, we never stopped talking, and the hours at lunch passed by much too quickly. We jokingly laughed that the entire story could make for a great movie. Of course, that led to all kinds of speculation as to who we would get to play our parts. Pauline claimed Dame Judy Densh, while Laurie chose Julia Roberts, and I must admit that with all the laughter, I just can’t remember the others. But ladies, I need to change my original choice – can I be Jamie Lee Curtis instead? 😀
Sending hugs to Laurie, Pauline, Boomdee, Alys, Lisa, and Patti – absolute treasures, all!
You were such a wonderful part of that all too brief gathering for lunch! It would not have been the same without you, Jamie Lee!!
Here’s hoping we can do it again, but until then … we have our blogs!
😀 Right back at you, Julia! ❤️
What a great opportunity!! I think Jamie Lee Curtis is a fabulous choice!
Error….meant the above comment for Stacy. However…I do think it is a wonderful opportunity and I’m quite happy you all enjoyed getting together!
I’m so glad you visited Life on the Bike and enjoyed the post, and I too, think Jaime Lee is perfect for Stacy!
I just had my first meeting with a Blogging friend. It was fabulous! We met for breakfast and could have gone on into lunch and afternoon cocktails. It went so well we are meeting tomorrow to photograph the saguaros blooming here in Arizona. So glad you got to meet up with all these friends!! 🙂
Hi Nancy, I’m a bit behind on replying but how fun to read your comment! I’m so glad you found the same joy that we did. Lunch. Cocktails. Photography. Sounds perfect!
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