My on-line friends.

Almost two years ago -- when I first got my iP diary -- I started getting to know some other mama's, finding friends on-line for the first time.  I started my iP diary partially because I just love to write and I wanted the motivation to write about Jake's life, but also because I wanted to connect with other mamas.  I needed some friends who would understand me.  I still felt like I was all alone since all my college friends had gone off and left me after graduation.  The only mama friend I really had then was Priscilla, and we weren't super-close yet -- and I was still more on an acquaintance rather than good friend level with Jen (Ryan/Alexis' mom) from church.  So I hopped on-line.  Sue from Australia was my very first commenter.  (HI SUE!!!  I love you, Sue!!!)  Not too long after, I got the following message from Kelly on my Talk To Me (TTM) board:

9-3-03
Hey there~
I am a new diary writer as well - over at Moms Today. Would love for you to drop by and TTM! I enjoyed your latest entry. I have really enjoyed getting to know other moms out there and its nice to read about other peoples lives to know you are not alone when you are having a hard mommy day  Take care and I will keep reading~
Kelly MT writer

I don't know why Kel chose to read my diary out of all the diaries at IP and post to tell me hello.  I had no idea the ride we were in for.  I think it was providence that Kelly and I crossed paths.  I immediately loved Kelly because of her friendliness and her honesty.  There was just something about her that I connected with.  We spent over a year at IP, keeping up with each other as well as the other friends we were making through the TTM boards (which now seems so archaic!!!)  I usually stopped by on Monday mornings to tell her hello and check in and start a new "thread" on her TTM board.  I met so many wonderful friends through Kelly -- she's like a friendship match-maker!  Summer of 2004 we all revolted against IP and moved to blog-world -- and boy did that change things!  Blogs just make SO much sense for all of us.  The pictures, the comments on individual posts, being able to customize text, fun sidebar items, being able to link in posts, being able to EDIT an entry after you've posted it, complete control over every aspect of your site . . . I am forever grateful to Kelly for dragging us all into blog land.

It's odd how you can come to love and depend on the friendship of someone you've never met in person.  I used to roll my eyes at people who talked about stuff like this, thinking "oh, well when you have no other friends, of COURSE you have to go on-line to find them."  But now I understand.  I am lucky now to have Priscilla, who is the greatest friend I could EVER hope for, my sister nearby, my friends at church, the girls I've met who work on campus that also have kids, two college friends who are back in town . . . I literally can't always find time to see and hang out with all my local friends.  But my on-line friends have such a big piece of my heart.  (Yes, even the new ones.  I think you are ALL great.)  I've been wanting to meet Kel IRL (in real life) for SO long -- even last year I was trying to figure out how I could get away to her state for a visit.  Money and time never cooperates, and I was beginning to think our kids would be in college before we were able to get together.  But this Saturday I will finally meet my bestest on-line buddy!  I am SO EXCITED about this blog party, I can't even tell you.  I'm excited about meeting everyone -- and seeing awesome Cara for the 3rd time, YAY! -- but finally meeting Kel just takes the cake.  She is supportive, sweet, loyal, smart, funny, and wonderful.  She keeps us all entertained -- what would we do without the Hump-Day Hottie or the Friday Five?  She is REAL and she is a jewel and I feel so lucky to have her as a friend.

So needless to say, you may not be hearing much from me until Monday or Tuesday (AND I have Monday off work!  A four day weekend!  WOW!!!)  I'm leaving tomorrow to spend the night with my sister Sheri (coolest sister in the whole world!!!), then on to Cara's house on Saturday.  Have fun you guys, and a quick warning -- if anyone leaves a nasty message on this post about ANY of my friends, you will be found. I'm not putting up with any crap on my site.  Ok, have a great weekend, then!!!

Comments

[Andrea]

That's so great that you have so many close friends, on-line and local!! I'm so excited that you all get to meet up with each other this weekend and I can't wait to read all about it!! Have a great time, hon!! Oh, and take lots of pictures for us!! ;o)

[Tricia]

What an uplifting post!! Im so happy for you to have such a wonderful close circle of friends. I think it is wonderful that you are finally able to meet. I hope this weekend will be fabulous for you all!

[Rae]

I am so happy that you are all meeting. How exciting. OK - so I am a little jealous too :)
I can not wait to hear all about it.

[Raquita]

I am really lloking forward to hearing all about it! Be sure (I already know you will) to scrap the pics and post those too!

[Kelly]

(((Thank you Jen!))) This was such a sweet sweet post! It was such a blast FINALLY meeting you my dear! It was so comfortable being with you, hope you felt the same way about me. Thank you for making the trip down to Cara's, it was wonderful that we all got to meet finally!

Hope you have a safe drive back and thanks for all the help with our little project :)

Love to you~
Kelly

[Jen_Jake'smom(FOR KEL)]

hey girl -- I'm safe, I'm back, and Jake wants to play HIS computer games . . . so yes, had a GREAT time, it was just like meeting old friend again, completely wonderful. you have a safe trip home tomorrow. Cara -- thanks for your hospitatily!!! love you guys.
Jen

[Pink Stuff!!!!]

Glad to hear you all had a great time. It's always fun to spend time with your 'girl' friends. I really enjoyed our visit as well!

LOL, Sis

[Kate]

Awww! I wanna go to the blog party! I hope you had a good time. :)

[Ann]

Morning!
Stumbled on your site and think it's great. Loved the "Jake-ism's". I have two daughters 1 is 12 and starting to Jr High in the fall (groan) and the other is 27 with two babies of her own - my granddaughter just turned 2 and grandson is 5 months. Hope you have a great Memorial Day.
Ann

[Heather]

Hope you had a GREAT weekend and I'm sure you're enjoying your time off work too! Take care and can't wait to hear all about things.

Heather
mom to Becca, age 4

[Sue]

Hey Jen - hope you're enjoying your long weekend. It was AMAZING to be able to speak with you on Sat night!! I can't wait to read all about it and see the pics :) I SO wanted to be there with you guys, I know you had a blast.

Much love
Sue