Stuff & Things: Surprise Edition

by | Dec 29, 2016 | Real Life | 5 comments

Four years ago almost exactly I was browsing through blogland when I came across an announcement for a new linkup. If you’ve hung around blogland long enough, you know that there tends to be a grouping of specific bloggers that you get mixed in with. I don’t know how exactly it happens, but we basically create a community within ourselves despite niche and location. It’s one of my favorite parts of blogging.

 

This link up was being hosted by two bloggers I didn’t follow but who were a part of the community I would say I was in. I’d seen their blogs before randomly. I’d see blog friends of mine mention them in posts and tweets. I just hadn’t personally connected with either of them yet.

 

For whatever reason, I decided to plan out a post and link up. The link up was called The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. If only I would have known then that this particular link up would connect me with the very best friend I’ve ever had, who has seen me through the good, the bad, and the ugly.
 
The link up was short lived, like most things in blogland. Drama ensued between the hosts and some other girls who were apparently hosting a very similar type link up, which resulted in those girls emailing everyone who participated in TGBU link up with less than pleasant warnings.

 

I don’t do drama, especially in blogland, so I chose to just continue on as normal. When one of the hosts, Myra, reached out to me individually to thank me for my participation despite the drama, we started emailing back and forth casually.
I remember it was around Thanksgiving. We were both prepping a ton of food, hosting our own holidays that year. Then, her birthday was coming up. Now, if you know me in real life you know I’m terrible at birthdays, gifts, etc. But I just happened to remember her birthday while I was in Target one afternoon (typical), snatched up a card and gift card and tossed it in the mail. No big deal.
 
This was also around the time that Jonathan took the job at Campbell. He moved away, leaving me behind in Charlotte, and I was devastated. Myra and I weren’t best friends yet, but I remember her being a positive light in the darkness. Again, if only I’d have known.

 

In the last four years, this girl has become unmeasurably important to me. She virtually held my hand despite being across the world when I was battling illness in 2013. She cheered me on, pushing me to keep going when I wanted to quit the book. She supported me when I started running, coaching me through the whole process. She cried with me when I lost my dad but brought me joy despite the sadness by gifting me a niece on the day of my father’s funeral.

 

When I wanted more out of life, she pushed me to start Bliss Creative. She guided me, answered all of my annoying questions, and then shocking me most of all, she agreed to be my partner.
 
Myra and I have done a lot of life together in the last four years through a computer and phone screen. We’ve developed a friendship unlike any other. We’ve built a successful business. And we’ve blended our families despite having never met.
A few weeks ago, I got a message from Myra’s husband. They live in Amsterdam these days, but they were traveling to Houston to visit family for the holidays.

I think it’s about time you girls meet.

 
Without ever tipping our hand to Myra, Amir and I orchestrated the biggest surprise of her life. He booked my flight, I grabbed an Airbnb, and I’m actually typing up this post mid-flight. In just a couple hours, I will walk into a restaurant, tap my virtual best friend on the shoulder, and ask if I can join her for breakfast.

 

When I think about how huge the world is, I recognize the unlikelihood that our paths would have ever crossed without the internet, and that completely boggles my mind. One tiny, insignificant moment after another came together and built something bigger than either of us. And in just a few short hours, I get to hug the crap out of her.
It’s about damn time.

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5 Comments

  1. THIS SURPRISE HAS BEEN EVERYTHING. But you already know that. I love (hate) you. I love (hate) Amir. LOL. And I love what y’all did for me.

    Reply
  2. Soo amazing you guys were finally able to meet in person & so sweet of her husband to take the time to plan something so elaborate!

    Reply
  3. This post made me oddly emotional! That’s so stinkin exciting, and how wonderful that blogging can lead to something like that! That’s awesome!

    Reply
  4. awww i love this so much. you guys are so awesome.

    Reply

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