The Community
October 4th, 2010
Yesterday I spent the day in Cleveland with Jessica from How Sweet It Is and Ashley from The Edible Perspective.
Yea, I guess you can call it a Blogger meet-up. I mean, we’re bloggers, and we met up, but I think of it differently.
Yesterday I spent the day with two very good friends, Ashley and Jessica.
Just like any set of friends, we are bonded by common interests and lifestyles. In the case of Ashley and Jessica, those common grounds are things like whole food + sweet foods, exercising and barefoot running.
Above all, though, there is blogging.
Think back on the ways you have met your friends: school, college, church, work, etc. Each relationship is fostered in some sort of limited space where you may or may not find people with similar interests.
Well, that was until I started blogging.
Blogging has no boundaries and on this blog I have found that I can be totally transparent. And transparency is something that scares high schoolers, polarizes college friends, and may be considered inappropriate at work. Our experiences have taught us that transparency is terrifying.
Yet blogging has taught me that transparency encourages deep, meaningful friendships.
I’m a social person, but would never have imagined that I could show up to lunch with two strangers and sit down and talk like I was talking to my college roommates.
I never could have imagine driving two hours to the house of total strangers to spend the day with their daughter whom I have never seen before in my life. And I certainly never would have imagined that I would feel like part of their family.
This post is more than just how personable, friendly, and fun-loving Jessica and Ashley are (but really, they are!). This post is about a community of people who love you for who you are. Yea, I know some of my readers roll their eyes at barefoot running, or think that I’m strange because I like vegetables AND cookies, but that’s ok, because they still accept me and love me for who I am and what I offer—no matter how little it is.
This is a community that has showed me support when I have felt stupid and worthless.
This is a community that reminds me how beautiful I really am.
This is a community that stands behind you when you are under attack.
This is a community that lets you know that you aren’t alone.
This is a community that brought me friends like Ashley and Jessica and countless others.
This is a community that I owe a lot to—and right now all I can say is “thank you!”
Categories: Uncategorized
I love the blogging community! Moving to NYC, I felt like I had plenty of friends ready to greet me with open arms, and we chatted like old friends when we finally “met.” It’s an amazing place to be and I’m glad you’re here as well!
That is so amazing that you had already built those friendships before moving. Glad it worked out for you!
xoxoxox amen and amen.
That’s a really sweet post. We do have a great community. I want to meet y’all too! It is amazing that I feel like I know about bloggers lives like I know about my real friends. I’m going to Foodbuzz next month and looking forward to meeting some people who I visit on the computer daily!
I’m jealous–I want to go to Foodbuzz! Have fun!
Totally agree with all of this. The blogger community is wonderful! I wish I could have hung out with you three!!
That would have been awesome!
Looooove! So, so true!
Thank YOU! <3
That was wonderful Abby. I love this new community that I’m a part of
Glad you’re here!
well said! I hope you make it to austin some day or vice versa FRIEND!
Ohhh my word!!!!!! {{{{{{{{{{{love this + you}}}}}}}}}}}}} This means SO much to me. You have no idea. I completely feel the same way and love how you have described this community. I feel SO fortunate to have YOU in MY life!!! <3 <3
Aw Ash!! Seriously.. I MISS YOU! I’m still trying to convince ave that we should move to CO. I got a friend in on it too…
Blogging has undoubtedly changed my life so much. I mean, who else would help me make fruit salsa at my party as I run around like a chicken with my head cut off or bake me beautiful chocolate chip cookies or RUN with me in freezing cold weather for 9 miles, letting me sip from their Camelbak and encouraging me when I wanted to stop for GOOD. I am so blessed to have you in my life as not only a fellow blogger but as you said, yes my FRIEND! I’m so glad y’all got to spend time together. It’s such a beautiful thing, isn’t it?
CAITLIN! COME BAAAAAAAAAAACK. This comment makes me want to cry…or just hop on a plane to Austin RIGHT NOW! I LOVE YOU!
Since I am always keeping up with bloggers it often feels like I know them better than the people I knew in high school and college. I have more friends across the country/world than I ever could have imagined. Thank goodness for the internet, huh?
After the Healthy Living Summit, I went over to a blogger friend’s house to stay for a couple days. The thing was that I had NEVER met her before….and sleptover at her house. That is just crazy but we hit it of like we were childhood friends.
Amen! It’s crazy how easy it is to connect with bloggers. Hopefully we can meet up sometime!!
I am so loving this post. Before I started my own blog, I knew from reading that the blog community was great… but I had NO IDEA how it could and would change me. I have “met” some really great people, and have made some wonderful connections that I feel are real friends, even though we have yet to meet!
your day looks like So Much Fun – those girls are awesome
I know exactly what you mean! There are people that I talk to on Twitter and G Chat and I tell them so much about myself, but I have never met them…but that seems so unimportant.
I really like this post, Abby. Since I discovered your blog and started following you on a regular basis, I’ve thought about trying out blogging myself, since I love to write, learn, and meet new people, but I’ve never done it before. Any suggestions on where/how to begin?
YES!! The blogging community seriously rocks. I never anticipated making such amazing friends through blogging, and now it’s the #1 reason I continue doing it.
The three of you are some of my faves
xoxoxo
Love this Abby! I hope to meet you someday and give you a big hug.
Hopefully I’ll get to Austin soon…and perhaps you’ll be able to make it from Dallas!
The blogging community does rock. Most bloggers I’ve met have had a similar effect on me – and some of my closest friends to this day (in my post-college life) I’ve met through blogging.
My only complaint is that CT doesn’t have more of a blogging community (DC blogging community? Amazing.)
Great post!!!
Agreed! I consider a few of my blog friends to be some of my best friends!
And Pittsburgh doesn’t have too many bloggers either.. but the ones that I have found are great!
Great post! And very good timing because the Healthy Living blog world took a little hit yesterday and could really use all the love it can get!
Hahah yea, I figured we could all use a little encouragement after that bomb was dropped!
This is so true! I’m happy to have met you in blog and real life. You’re an inspiration!
Aw Kacy! I feel the same about you, too!
I couldn’t agree with you more. Blogging has changed my life and I love getting to know you and others through their amazing blogs. Such a great community!
Thanks, Tracey! I love all you guys!
Aw
I’m glad “the community” has done so much for you! There is no way I’d be as personable in person as I am on my blog, it’s too scary. But I love that the few readers I have accept me and don’t judge me for what I do or don’t do 
you have a great blog Abby and I hope that I get to meet you in person one day 
keep up the good work 
Stacey, you are so cute! We did meet! At fitbloggin!