That was way not as awkward as I thought it would be.

Especially because there was beer.

Whatever.

The blogger meet-up yesterday was fantastic. It was fun and relaxing and I got to “meet” some of the people of the blogosphere whom I most admire.

I did not think it would go so swimmingly at first.

Basically, whenever we go anywhere Dan always drives. I never know where I’m going and half the time the places in town all look the same to me. So I circled the building and went up and down the street for half an hour trying to figure out how to get into the parking lot. The GPS on my phone said it was RIGHT THERE. And my little blue dot was hovering over the little red dot. But no. No the restaurant was not right underneath my ass. (It might, however, have been right under my nose…)

If my mother had been in the car with me, she would’ve exclaimed, “Muh-RAAAN-Dah!” in that way that only she can that tells me that something I’ve said has just been highly offensive.

(It might’ve been the eff word. I was on the verge of tears. Without back-up make-up in my purse to fix the boo-boos.)

Anyway, I finally made it. Finally. And I walked in, after holding my skirt down–Hellooooo, windy day–and found my way to our little area of the restaurant. And the first person I saw and recognized was none other than Katherine of Postpartum Progress. She gave me the tightest hug and it was like one of those “coming home” hugs that just lets you know you’re welcomed. You’re wanted.

(Does that make me sound like a stalker? I totally Tweeted about her cute shoes, too, if that helps you make a decision. And then I stuck my foot in my mouth and called her skinny and spent the drive home going “Miranda! How STUPID! That was dumb!”  :/ )

And then I saw Jana of Jana’s Thinking Place and Band Back Together. And she gave me one of those hugs, too.

And even though I was all sorts of flustered and frustrated from the drive in, they settled me down and maybe didn’t think I was crazy for taking my jacket on and off and I probably rambled. And I don’t think they thought I was crazy for that. (But maybe they did!)

And then Lauren from My Postpartum Voice showed up and joined the party. It was so nice to meet her, finally, since I credit her and her support for women with PPD/A with much of my recovery over the past year.

I also met hilarious girl @AmandaM38 (20-Something Shenanigans) and her janky friend, Tiffany. Know what we discovered in meeting each other? My wedding inspired Amanda’s wedding, down to the location, thanks to my posts on The Knot. She knew things about my wedding and was all “And didn’t you do…and isn’t your husband half-Asian… and what were your colors again?” And then I showed her my pics. How small-world is that?

It was just…nice. It was good. We just jumped into conversation with all of the usual pleasantries out of the way already. I wish there’d been more time to talk (and there would’ve been if I hadn’t gotten LOST.) It was nice to laugh and tell stories and connect with people. I need those connections in my life. Truthfully, we all do.

It was great to feel at home among people who love social media as much as I do. People who understand what it’s like to spend time with this hobby, or career, or love.

Ahh, my heart is just all happy.

Special thanks go out to Anissa and Julia for organizing the event.