Monday, May 16, 2011

Open arms or not?

I enjoy the friendship and comradeship we share in Blog land. When I read the list of Genesis finalists, I loved spotting a few familiar names--writers I have watched learn the craft.

It's like that you know, this natural growth of closeness, even though many of us have never met before.

Another truth  about these blog friendships is that some will  fade out, through no fault of their own. Life might take over or another direction pulls.

It happens.

Some of us will know each other for a season and be blessed for those life moments. I can count many good times of meeting blogging friends or watching my online relationships grow.

One of those times will occur again this week in Orlando when I meet another friend.

What about you--do you willingly embrace those meeting times or do you shy away from them?

45 comments:

Katie Ganshert said...

Love them. And you're so right - about friendships in general. How they come and go, but some stick and never leave. There's nothing wrong with the first. Why not enjoy the friendship for as long as God's placed it in our life, you know?

Rachna Chhabria said...

I not just love these meetings, I embrace them wholeheartedly. Its as though God has a purpose for us all to meet, support and encourage each other in our writing journeys.

Wendy Paine Miller said...

Embrace. Embrace.

Have fun w/ I know who. ;)
~ Wendy

Jessica R. Patch said...

I treasure all my friendships however long they last. We need them! Have a great time in Orlando.

Great Grandma Lin said...

I enjoy my new friendships but seldom make actual contact as few come to my area of the world-Utah. Some of my blogging friends have bought my books which is an added bonus!

Jan Cline said...

Anytime I can have a chance to spend time with you I will always take it! Haven't talked to you for a while, but been thinking of you. Seasons do come and go and so do some friendships. It's kind of sad but embracing life means letting go of some things/people. This season in my life is all about meeting new people - too many to count. Will miss you at the NWCW conference this year :(
Hugs
Jan

Nikki (Sarah) said...

who knew blogging would open so many doors to some of the best people on the planet....I love the friendships I've made...a few of whom I met....and more who one day will meet. Always love your your writing Terri...Your heart shines. Have fun in Orlando.

Susan said...

Hi Terri....Oh, I so agree with you that friendships made in Blogland are truly one of the greatest joys of blogging. Can't put a price on it, either.

I would SO willingly embrace meeting a fellow blogger, but, far, that hasn't happened. Guess my location is kind of off e beaten track. But someday, I still hope I'll meet some of the sweeties I've met. Susan

Paul Greci said...

I'd love to meet some of my blog friends in person!! I haven't yet!!

Keli Gwyn said...

I treasure the times I get to spend with face-to-face writing friends. I met a young writer working on her first book for breakfast last week, and we had a great time. We agreed to room together at the ACFW conference, and I'm excited to be heading to the conference with my new-found friend at my side. I'm also looking forward to seeing some of my blogging buddies in person.

Loree Huebner said...

I love meeting people. God put me into a job where I meet a lot of people. I've made some great friends over the years.

I'm still new to blogging, but I feel a few good friends in the making, here online too.

Sally Wessely said...

If the opportunity presented itself, I would certainly love to meet a fellow blogging friend in person. I agree with you. Some of these relationships ebb and flow just as those in other areas of life do.

Nehha said...

Given a chance, I would love to meet my blogger friends! I am sure it would be fun and a different experience altogether.

Melissa Amateis said...

I'm a little nervous meeting new people, but it's completely worth it! I've met three of my blogging buddies "in the flesh" so far - and two of them were from England!

Saumya said...

Haven't met any blogging friends but hope I do someday :) I would be nervous, though!

Heather Sunseri said...

Love meeting people in person, and even some that I meet in person and might not see for a while - I love it when I see them again.

Sarah Forgrave said...

Last year's ACFW conference was my first chance to meet blogging buddies. And um, yeah, let's just say I was a little hyper. I can-NOT wait to see them and hopefully meet new friends again this year!

Karen Lange said...

I enjoy them, and am so grateful for the open arms of my blogging friends. What a blessing!

Michelle Massaro said...

I agree with the others--enjoy the friendships in your life for however long they last. I love meeting with friends in person when I have the chance. Hanging out with Jessica at the conference not only gave me a buddy to cling to, but enhanced our friendship when we came back home and retreated to opposite sides of the computer screen. Can't wait for the next time I get that chance. =)

Jill said...

I haven't had too much opportunity for meeting blog friends in real life, due to being stuck in NM right now, but I would love to if I could.

Rhonda Schrock said...

Oh, how fun for you!! I got to do this once, and it was the biggest blessing. That redheaded writer is something else. :)

Enjoy every minute, okay?

Rhonda Schrock said...

Oh, how fun for you!! I got to do this once, and it was the biggest blessing. That redheaded writer is something else. :)

Enjoy every minute, okay?

Jeanette Levellie said...

I love making new friends and interacing with all my friends. It's true that you cannot be intimate with more than a handful, though. Emotionally we can't handle too deep relationships with but a few dear ones.

I have grown a mile from my blog buddies, and look forward to meeting them when opportunity comes. This August I'm attending a writers conference with my chum Susan Reinhardt. I can't wait!

Eileen Astels Watson said...

I'm naturally shy, but for some reason, I embrace meeting writing friends. It's such a rarity to be able to meet one in person so when the opportunity arises I so appreciate it!

Janet, said...

I would embrace them. Friends are a gift from God, enjoy them while you have them. If you have a chance to meet, that is great.

Deborah said...

I have met so many wonderful people through blogging, and have had the opportunity to meet two of them in person. When I was a young girl, I always had pen pals from all over the world...I guess blogging is a just the new way of continueing that interest.

Anonymous said...

I would embrace the opportunity to meet an on-line, blogging friend. I would be nervous though, wondering if my 'real' presence will not live up to expectations!

B. WHITTINGTON said...

BLogging has enriched my life in so many ways. I've not yet actually met a blogger friend but feel as close to some of these women as I do people in my daily life.
How fun to finally meet someone, Tiffany. Enjoy.
Life has me more at home than anywhere right now with issues to be dealt with. Hubs not in great shape. But for now we are content to be with each other.
God bless you and your writing.
Barb

Tana said...

I've noticed this too and makes me sad when some fade away. I guess right now is all that really matters. I would love to meet blogging buddies at conferences!

Jackee said...

I would love to get to know some of my online blog friends in RL! But it hasn't happened yet. I'm too remote. I get sad when I lose touch with many of my blog friends. It happens, though, we all get busy.

Have a wonderful time! Hugs!

Margo Berendsen said...

I haven't yet met anyone in person who I've met online, though there are a couple blogging friends who live near by (within a couple hours) and we've talked about getting together. Conferences are so wonderful for this!

Angela Hood-Ross said...

Hey Terri. I tend to open up more online than when I first meet someone in person. Most of the time after the awkwardness of a kindergarten child making new friends begins to fade, I love being around and talking to new friends. Especially those who I share a common interest.

Nancy said...

Have fun with your blog friend.

I would love to meet many of my friends that comment on my blog, but I have trouble driving distances. If there were some in my area, that might work.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Terri -

I've met several of my blogger friends.

In August, Jeanette Levellie and her husband will be visiting. We've emailed and talked on the phone. I can't wait to meet them in person.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Unknown said...

My daughter introduced me to this blogging world and I am pretty new at it but am enjoying it alot. What a blessing it has been to me and how wonderful that Christ binds us together as brothers and sisters in Christ via blog posts! Love it!

Kathryn Magendie said...

This made me smile, esp after my post of this morning.

Miss coming by here - so many blog friends I am missing what is going on - seeing snatches on Facebook and twitter ...

Jessica Nelson said...

This is such a true post! I cherish my blog friends and the support you give me. :-) I'm jealous you're meeting up with someone!!! LOL Have tons of fun, okay? :-)

Sylvia Ney said...

I go through periods of doing both. I enjoy the social contact and learning about new things and people, but there are also times I have to keep to myself and finish personal goals. Good post. I hope you have fun this week.

Stephanie Faris said...

You will see a lot of people come and go throughout your writing career...especially GO. There were a lot of people in my RWA chapter when it first formed that didn't last more than a few years. They came in with a passion for writing and then...I don't know what happened. Maybe, like me, they eventually drifted to another genre. I fear many just gave up or found another thing they loved to do.

Julie Musil said...

It's been fun watching bloggy buddies win writing awards or contests, secure agents, sell books, etc. Before I blogged, I never knew a single writer. Now, lookout!

Yes, the friendships might change or fade, but I'm so thankful all of you are in my life right now.

Anonymous said...

Yes, I embrace such times.

Many friends will drift away--circumstances change--but a few will remain strong. This has happened in my life as I've gotten older.

Thanks for taking a moment to stop by and congratulate me on the release of my memoir.
Ann Best, Memoir Author

Denise Covey said...

I enjoyed your post Tiffany and thank you for visiting me. I'm never happier than when by myself, being a bit of a loner, but you'd never guess, I'm pretty gregarious in company. I love building an online group of blogger friends and get concerned when I don't hear from someone for awhile. I've not met up with any blogging friends personally, but on my next trip overseas there's a writer in Paris who says she will meet up and show me around, and another in the south of France, so I'm excited.

Denise<3

Dawn Simon said...

I think it's fun to meet blog friends at conferences! You already know each other in a way, but it's the first time you're actually face to face. :) To me, it kind of feels like seeing a friend you haven't seen in a long time.

Heidi Willis said...

I hope you had a great week with your friend!

The blogosphere is an interesting place. I find it fascinating to see how many people I've met here, and how close I feel to some of them. And those that fade away, it feels like a loss. Part of life, I know, but true.

Deb Shucka said...

Those meeting times are among my favorite experiences. I hope you have a blast, and share the stories with us.