Have you ever met up with other bloggers in real life? To date, I have met two bloggers in person, and hopefully more to come!
My first blog friendship turned reality was with Vivian of Lost in Translation. Vivian is a Canadian ex-pat, living in Japan as an English language teacher. During the planning of my 2009 trip to Japan, Vivian and I corresponded via email as I pieced together my itinerary for a 2-week tour of the country. She was immensely helpful, providing me with ample recommendations of sights to see and things to do. Inevitably we found a way to make our schedules align to meet up in Osaka one night toward the end of my visit in July. We met near the Dotonbori Bridge in the early evening, with our two friends in tow, and clicked immediately. Our night was filled with Japanese dance clubs, convenience store sake, and kareoke bars. Not be your typical blogger meet up I'm sure, but it was a memorable night drinking, dancing, and soaking up the Osaka nightlife out until 3 AM.
My second blogger meet up was just a few weeks ago. I had the privilege of meeting Ashlee of Where My Heart Resides while she in Seattle on a family vacation. Ashlee's blog has always been a daily read, and we've been frequent commenters on each others blogs for years. So when she proposed meeting up while in Seattle, I was admittedly a bit starstruck and excited to meet one of my favorite bloggers in person! We met up up at a local coffee shop in Kirkland after I got off work, and caught up on life, love, babies, and beyond. Unfortunately our schedules didn't allow us to talk for too long, but it was a great opportunity to make that blogging connection personal.
Blogging is a whole new world when it comes to connecting people. I love the possibilities that blogging provides, connecting individuals across continents. Whether it be commenting on each others blogs, sending side emails, it's often baffling to think you feel like you know these people, but in reality, you've probably never met. I'm happy to say I've forged blog friendships with these women, and made these friendships extend beyond the portal of the internet to become a reality, if even for just a cup of coffee or a night out exploring a new city.
Have you ever met up with a blog friend before? How did it go?
image/pheartache
That is so sweet. I have friends that blog, whose blogs I read, but that is a wee bit different.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, I keep such wonderful memories of our Osaka meet-up! It was such a fun night, and definitely feels like it was ages ago. So much has changed for both of us! I'm so glad we got to meet, and I hope our paths cross again! xx
ReplyDeleteMost of my close friends in NYC are ones I've made through blogging. Incidentally, I had dinner last night with one and we talked about this very topic! These days, our blog friends are among our closest friends - which can be bizarre, but also really wonderful.
ReplyDeleteIt used to creep out my husband when I'd go to meet these friends I made from the Internet, but he's come around after realizing that blogger husbands and boyfriends are just like him.
I found a blog buddy when I was planning my wedding, and we swapped stories, exhanged advice...it was amazing! After we were both married, she ended up hiring me to put together her wedding album! And we have not even met yet!
ReplyDeleteIve met up with several! No new friends as of late because of the baby, but before i think I had connected with maybe 6 or 7? it all went really well. sometimes it was a little akward at first, but once we got over that it was smooth sailing..also, wine helps! ;)
ReplyDeleteSo cool that you've met blog friends in person! I never have and I think I'd be so super nervous! But maybe we'll have to meet up some day since we're close and you can make it three. :-)
ReplyDeleteSarah @ Life As Always
Sarah...I love that idea!
ReplyDeletethat is so cool you met up with vivian in japan!!! moving to spain some of my best friends started through blogging... so thankful for blog world
ReplyDeleteMeeting blog friends is so exciting! I've met a few girls and it's always such a treat!
ReplyDeleteyes I have met a blogger friend and it's nice...cute!
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