Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Say hello to my imaginary friends

According to my husband I spend a lot of time with my imaginary friends.

You know, the ones I meet on the computer; the ones he fears may actually be depraved serial killers who live in their parents' basements and plot our demise, as opposed to warm and welcoming mothers (and fathers) who live lives similar to ours and genuinely care about us and our family.

He worries, he really does.

So Rob? This one's for you...


This photo was taken at a fabulous Mommy Bloggers dinner last night. (Thank you Johnson and Johnson). That's Catherine (and her camera shy boy Jasper) to the left of me. I sat beside her on the plane ride out to San Francisco in July and we didn't stop gabbing the whole time.

Huddling in front there is Katie, the girl in whom I've confided a fair bit over the past year because she has faced some problems similar to what we've faced. It's been quite a comfort because she gets it, you know?

Beside me, on the right is Karen. Remember we ran into her at that fall fair a few weeks ago and she recognized you first even though she'd never met either of us face to face? Anyway, I've been trying to meet up with her for months because I just knew we would click: I was right.

Finally on the far right is Chareen. She knows our sister-in-law LeeAnne (who writes recipes for me here) and has even tried her incredible squash soup, the recipe for which I keep meaning to post. They often freelance for the same magazine and she was at a party a few weeks ago where our niece Cailey played with her daughter the whole time.

Anyway, what I'm trying to say, to my husband and to anyone else who questions whether it's possible to forge real relationships with people you meet on the Internet is...yes.

Yes, it is possible, probable even. Because yes, the people you meet through blogging are real people. Yes, they have kids and jobs and husbands and joys and sorrows and stress that is similar to your own. Yes, they care about you and your family, just as you care about theirs.

And no, none of the ladies pictured are actually depraved serial killers.

At least, I don't think they are.

Stumble Upon Toolbar

44 comments:

caramama said...

My husband was weary as well! Luckily I've convinced him to come to a few get togethers in the DC area, and he even likes the other bloggers and their spouses!

So neat to see pics of everyone! Thanks for sharing!

Backpacking Dad said...

You can't fool me. That picture is totally photoshopped. I don't believe any of those people in my computer exist.

:}

Chicky Chicky Baby said...

I have it on good authority that at least one, while not a serial killer, is in fact a 45 year old man who lives in his mother's basement. But I still love her.

I love a few of those women actually and miss them like crazy. Can't wait to meet you one day too!

ewe are here said...

Why can't everybody move over here, huh?

Karen MEG said...

I got you totally fooled, don't I ;)

Anonymous said...

I worry about meeting people IRL. What if they don't like me?

OK, now I sound pathetic...

Sass said...

I find these stories of people meeting up to be very heartwarming. ONE DAY i will meet other bloggers...

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

Straight up, yo.

;)

I've only met 1 or 2 serial killers through the internet. The rest are all totally normal...

Unknown said...

Love the photo and you look so happy to be with your "imaginary" friends!

I've met some local bloggers here that I now consider friends. It's so amazing, this bloggy community...

Bird's Eye View Photography said...

Great Post-- you forget that the people int eh computer and REALY real somtimes. ;)

~Swankymama said...

Great picture. I bet you had fun!

Holly said...

i agree with you 100%

Desiree said...

Awe ^_^ Agreed!
What a happy group of ladies :D

Nowheymama said...

What fun!

organicyogamom said...

Great photo! Looks like a blast of an evening!

Leanne said...

Yep, I love my bog buds too. Pathetic aren't we?

A Crafty Mom said...

How cool!! Must have been a fun dinner with all you fabulous ladies - great photo!

Vered said...

Well said, Kelly. I couldn't agree more.

SciFi Dad said...

I think the 45 year old serial killer man who lives in his mother's basement was photoshopped out of the image, personally.

Every blogger meet up has a creepy guy in the corner...

Oh wait... I didn't go to that meet up... nevermind.

Woman in a Window said...

Huh - cool.

Anonymous said...

What fun, I love bloggy get-togethers. Most of my dearest friends I met on the computer. What did we ever do before?

Heather said...

I dream of a day when I can be at a bloggy get-together! What a fun photo.

Michelle said...

Hello!
That looks like a lot of fun.

Anonymous said...

Blogging brought me YOU! As well as a host of lovely and fabulous friends.

In fact, with the exception of my family, all my favorite people started off as imaginary peoples in a box.

Can't wait for our next bloggy get together.

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

Well there was that knitter from Seattle . . .!

Chantal said...

That is awesome. I have yet to meet a fellow blogger in real life but I have a few I really think I could be friends with.

Daddy Dan said...

How great that you got to actually meet some people you've met online. I've yet to do that, but it looks like a lot of fun!

Polly said...

I have some wonderful RL friends who I met via forums - and Im pretty sure there are no serial killers so far!!!

Anonymous said...

I met my wife through the internet... through her blot to be more specific... :)

so... yup I can say for sure that the people in the computer are real... hehehe

Ah... and neither of us are serial killers so double boo ha!! lol

Wanna come pimp my blog???? ;)

Anonymous said...

blot=blog! lol

Vodka Mom said...

That is so awesome. I don't even know if any bloggers live around me. Well one or two- but I don't know if they would be brave enough to pose for a pic with me!

That is way cool.......

Bryan said...

Are you kidding? You dont think they are depraved serial killers? Guys living in their parents basement is the 70's serial killer profile. The 21st century profile is underappreciated mommy bloggers ..... look out!

Helen Wright said...

GOD!! I don't know what I would have done without my bloggie friends these past couple of months!

Who is to say that you're not the psycho?!?! ;)

OHmommy said...

I can relate. My husband laugh out loud when I tell him things like, "Did you know that Don Mills Diva left out her halloween candy on her porch?"

Teeheee... great pic of you all.

Heather said...

How do you know they're not serial killers? They could just be really good at the art of disguise.

petite gourmand said...

Mrs. Snuffleupagus here...

That was fun wasn't it?
I have never seen a group of 3 year olds so quiet and absorbed in anything.
Glitter pie rocks!

so good to get together again,
Hope we can all do it again soon!

motherbumper said...

I second petite gourmand, but holy heck the evening was too short.

And I can't believe Mrs. Chicky ratted me out. Trust me, you'd all live in your mom's basement if she cooked and did your laundry. But squeezing into that woman suit is so darn hard.

Mighty Morphin' Mama said...

My hubby has been a bit like that as well, but he does appreciate the community I have found here.
I was part of a yahoo group when my preschoolers were babes and met some wonderful women who are now dear friends, but I haven't met any of my bloggy friends yet. You are so lucky, what a great group of women!

Parent Club said...

My dh is the same. Isn't very comfy with pictures of Thing 1 and Thing 2 on the net.

Nice to see the faces of Mommy Bloggers out there!

(stats say women are unlikely to be serial killers anyway -- where would they find the time bw laundry loads?!)

Jaina said...

How fun!

Unknown said...

GAH! I am sooooooooo jealous!!! When Karen told me she met up with you, I was green with envy! LOL!

Glad you girls had a blast! Sounds like a lot of fun!

I think she may be coming to visit me sometime soon. You're more than welcome to come with! Though the high risk pregnancy section at the hospital is hardly as exciting as the venue you were at! XO

Laski said...

I can't wait to meet my very own blogging serial killers . . . um, buddies.

Can't wait!

Whitenoise said...

The internet's a wonderful thing- bringing people together, facilitating communication, opening minds... What a great age to be alive!

Threeundertwo said...

My husband is convinced everyone on the internet is an axe murderer. Even after he met some of my "imaginary friends."

It's a guy thing.