Easy Happy Fun

I think it's been pretty well established that I love the Internet.

The Internet got me through the darkest period of my life so far. The Internet has provided me with daily diversion and encouragement for years now. The Internet is the reason that when I'm up in the night with a fussy baby, I am not alone. The Internet has given me sanity and friendship and a person I can call every single day just to complain about how my kids won't eat anything but cheese.

(Cheese is constipating. Also it smells disgusting.)

(First-trimester food grudges FTW!)

So when some of my favorite bloggers hosted The Blathering last year, I was devastated that I couldn't leave my eight-month-old to go meet Internet people. I love the Internet! I determined that this year, I WOULD BE THERE. And when they planned it within driving distance of my house, I was even happier.

The event was announced. Plans were made. November finally crawled around.

So this weekend, I got to meet my friend Diane in person for the first time, and she and I drove to Chicago and met all these other women, some of whom I'd met before, some of whom I felt like I already knew, some of whom were new to me but completely awesome.

The first time I met Emily, last spring, she told me about the first Blathering and how she never wrote about it because she felt like she bonded with every person there. I was dubious. How can you possibly bond with more than a dozen people over the course of one weekend?

But then I got to the Blathering and I understood what she meant. There were people with whom I got to spend more time than others, but every single person was interesting and kind and smart and funny and I'd love to have a week, or two, rather than just a weekend with all of them.

(It would be a lot to link to them all individually, but you can see all the attendees in the sidebar of the official Blathering site.)

I now find it funny that I spent time stressing about what to wear. I could have worn velour lounge pants all weekend and no one would have cared, except maybe to worry I was ill. It's silly that I wondered if it would be uncomfortable or awkward - everyone wanted everyone else to be happy and relaxed, and when everyone wants that, it happens easily.

Honestly, I spent a large part of the weekend with greasy hair, ruining pictures by squinting just before the flash went off. But I felt better than I have in weeks - partly because of all the eating we were doing, I'm sure, but mostly because I was just plain happy to be there. It was the most fun I've had in ages.

If all goes well with this pregnancy, I'll have a little baby next fall and won't be able to go anywhere alone. All the more reason to hope the Blathering tradition continues for years to come.

Comments

[Annie]

Oh Arwen, I'm so glad you got to go this year! But so sad that I didn't...meeting you would have been a joy....

[HereWeGoAJen]

I have my sights set on next year's Blathering. If our house in Florida had sold, I would have gone this year.

[Diane]

Arwen, I know I've already told you this, but it was such a delight finally getting to meet you. I feel like I've known you for years, but this cemented for me how awesome you are and how I wish you didn't live so far away! Getting to meet Bryan and the kids was icing on the cake. We really do have to get everyone together some time in the future.

[Erica]

I really enjoyed meeting you Arwen, and it was cool to meet Miriel too. I always enjoy seeing sisters together, it shows you even more about a person. (That's a tick on my "yes, have more than one" list.)
You are such a positive and engaging person, it was delightful!

[Laura]

Hooray for fun girls' trips! So glad you had a good time-- you deserve it! :)

[Elsha]

I was all set to go last year but then I got laid off and no income meant definitely no travel:( Now I have a nursing 10 month old which ruled out this year. I'm trying to talk people into Denver for next year-- driving distance from my house. Either way I am also hoping the tradition continues and that SOMEDAY I'll make it!