Eighteen months ago, I "met" Peryl.
It started off as an almost professional relationship, a support group of four writers who helped each other edit posts, brainstorm ideas, and guest posted when those ideas fell flat.
It became a friendship.
Between the paragraphs asking if anyone had ever tried this or that paid blogging sites, bits of our lives started to emerge. An anecdote here. A confession there. Soon, the emails were filled with personal messages and words of encouragement.
I learned about their lives. They learned about mine.
We fantasized about meeting somewhere, someday. But we live in various parts of the country and we're not exactly conference go-ers.
Then, Peryl moved to California. Within driving distance. And this weekend, I drove to see her.
It was at once surreal - she knows almost everything about me - and familiar - she knows almost everything about me. But I was happy to discover there were a few things I didn't know.
She's tiny. I'm 5'4" and always thought of myself as short. I tower over her. She called me tall. She said the only reason I think I'm short is because I associate with giants. Bless her.
She's a bad influence while shopping. She's incredibly stylish - don't let her say anything to the contrary - and made me want sparkly bracelets and animal print overnight bags. And even try on a leather dress. From 1984.
She's a "cool" mom. No. Really. She had a cookie bake off for her sons and their friends. A cookie bake off! And speaking of kids, her boys are adorable, rosy cheeked, I-want-to-take-them-home bundles of cuteness.
Her coffee order should be bronzed and placed in the Starbucks Hall of Fame. It's so complicated, the baristas deserve a raise for getting it right. When I talk about ordering at Starbucks, I often tease that I'll go in and order a "non fat two shot 180 chai with a double back flip twist". That's actually her order. Or something like it.
And she's as wonderful in real life as she in in virtual life. It felt like we were old friends and, when I gave her a hug goodbye, I knew I'd be seeing her soon.
13 comments:
Aw. I love when meeting blogging friends in real life it's as effortless as on the screen.
that's awesome..and now I "almost" want to move to California ;)
so glad you found each other "off screen" xo
Hooray for meeting blogging friends in real life!
How fantastic! I love meeting bloggy friends IRL.
(Where in CA are you?)
You know you're on my "must meet" list, right?
And yeah, when those connections on screen become IRL, its almost surreal.
I still regret not making it to your "Not a Baby Shower" last spring. :(
I'm on the Central Coast. Which means I'm halfway to anywhere!
I know, right? In my head you all live down the street. Reality is much more irritating.
California is awesome! Except the awful traffic in the cities, the high cost of living, the educational budget cuts, the crazy drivers...but really! It's awesome. :D
I always expect a little awkwardness and am happy when there never is. Even if we'd just talked about my boobs the day before.
I live in Reno, NV but I'm in the Bay Area a lot to see family & friends. If I'm ever in that area, I'm totally going to look you up. :)
Oh my gosh what a happy story and awesome memory! Surely she feels JUST as lucky and blessed to have finally gotten to "meet" you IRL. :)
I love that you met someone like that.
That's what I'd like to do: a writing/peer group.
This sounds fabulous.
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