Savor is the best word to describe yesterday’s lunch. I would not have guessed that my writing would have led me to a little French bistro in New Orleans to meet with friends I did not know when I started this blog.
I stumbled onto a bloghop on Huffington Post last fall. It was from a group of midlife women bloggers, I was intrigued and looked up this group and soon became a part of it. Chloe was a founder of this group and I became a fan of her blog. I was always amazed by how open and honest she was in her writing. I work at a woman’s specialty hospital and she is an OB/GYN nurse, so I also felt a connection because of our day jobs. This midlife group grew and became an online zine and Chloe and I continued to get to know each other when she interviewed me in a video.
I love the magic of when you meet someone and instantly connect. She and the other women I met in this online group were the main reason I attended BlogHer in Chicago last summer. That’s where I met Cheryl, much to my delight, a blogger from my part of the world. Cheryl and I connected again in New Orleans and after a bloody mary (or two) we knew we had found a new friend in each other.
When Chloe and her husband planned a New Orleans vacation, we conspired to steal a few hours for a girlfriend-only visit. I drove the 90 miles to Cheryl’s classic, stately historic home and Chloe arrived by streetcar a short walk from Cheryl’s pleasant house. We chose the French bistro, Café Degas for lunch in a lovely non-touristy part of town. We drove through streets that were preparing for the onslaught of Mardi Gras parades, but were still quiet. Cheryl and I both shared our love of this city as we drove through it on this almost-spring day. There had been a loud thunderstorm the night before and the raindrops that still clung to the trees made the tender spring green leaves brighter and the Japanese Magnolias’ blooms were a little bigger. 
The next few hours was spent in smart and insightful conversation. We were equally as interested in what each other had to say as we were in sharing our own thoughts. The conversation ranged in topics as we are all women who have lived full, well-traveled lives. If we did not solve all the world’s problems, our talking about them left us hopeful of the world our children and their future children will live in. The big takeaway we ended with was, how lucky we felt to be women living in this country at this moment in time.
What a remarkable time we live in, right now and right here. Cheryl, Chloe and I would never have met without social media and blogging. Things that simply did not exist a few years ago. The three of us do not earn a living as writers and yet our writing is now published. People from around the world that we will never know, read our words and connect to us. Individual voices are being heard in a way that has never before been experienced. That’s real power.
It was a lunch full of delicious wit, intellect and friendship. It was a great connection for a few short hours before we left to continue our separate journeys. I’ll continue to savor that lunch for a long time.
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Oh, I wish I had been there with you wonderful ladies! Love the post, love the photo, love all of you!
Lois, I wish you could have been there too.
Not only are you lovely, smart, and funny- you’re quick with the posts! What a blast we had. And we did solve a mass of problems. Maybe world leaders should CALL US? Love you Connie. XXXOOO
Love you too Cheryl. I woke up with the words wanting to get out of my head. Also I’ve got a big event tonight and knew I’ll be in no frame of mind to write tomorrow. I look forward to more adventures with you!
Me too! XXXOOO
What a lovely time you must have had. So fun when we can get together with our online friends IRL.
Linda, it’s a great thing to discover that those I connect to online, I also connect to IRL!!
I am so glad you had such a wonderful time at lunch, Connie. I thank social media for bringing you into my life. OH, I need Cheryl to wear her hat wherever she goes. I almost didn’t recognize her! Big hugs..
Cathy, it’s a magical time we live in to be able to connect to amazing people like you.
There was a time I thought THE HAT was a good idea. KNow no one recognizes me
Connie,
What a lovely afternoon the three of you shared. I have fond memories of New Orleans and now that I know you live there-the good feeling I have for NOLA is even stronger.
I second and third the ladies who said they wish they had been there. I would have loved to have joined you!
Estelle
Thanks Estelle! It’s really wonderful how we all share in each other’s joy. We were all there in spirit.
Isn’t it amazing how our online friends fit so seamlessly into our lives, and it feels like they’ve been our friends forever? So happy that you had such a nice time.
I’ve been enjoying your California adventures!! You were obviously having a great time!
Connie, you know I missed out. I’m glad you had a great time! And yes, I spent the entire day as a juror in a criminal trial and got home around 10 p.m. It was a very difficult day on many, many, many levels. I would have preferred lunch. Hugs!
Lisa, Cheryl and i discussed the need for us to get together. I see another adventure in our future. I can imagine how difficult the trial experience is for you. But it may fuel future writing. I hope you’re able to recover your energy over the weekend.
What fun! It’s so nice to be able to make so many new meaningful friendships at this point in time.
Sheryl, you are right!
Social media has done such wonderful things! I love this connection and how beautifully you shared your lovely time with the rest of us. YOU were one of the highlights of my favorite night at BlogHer, and I can’t wait to see you again. Sometime. ♥
Lisa, I agree that evening at BlogHer was the highpoint of a great experience. We did connect in the most wonderful way. I hope we do have more adventures together in the future and social media has been a wonderful way to stay connected.
I love seeing old and new friends. We share so much online that it is like seeing someone who likes us just the way we are. I’m glad you had a fabulous time and I look forward to meeting all of you at one time or another.
The real connection I’ve made with online friends has been the best and most unexpected thing that blogging has created for me. Thanks for commenting.
Chloe is da bomb!
Carol
http://www.carolcassara.com
She is indeed!
Wow, all that love and no illegal activity? Hmmm… we will have to try that next time we meet Connie! Love to see your smiling faces in such beautiful company!
Ruth, we’re in Mardi Gras season. You have to learn to pace yourself in order to get through it!!!
I had the bestest time with you ladies! NOLA would not have been the same without you. I enjoyed our lunch and the fact that I know you both. Spending time with gifted women who really have lived life is such a blessing. Thank you both so much for such a great time! I cannot wait to do it again. After I dry out from this last time, of course. Pacing yourself is key to Mardi Gras season.
I am so glad you had a great vacation and experienced NOLA as it was meant to be experienced. I’m thrilled that I could be a part of it!
The best part of blogging to me is the relationships with people I would never have met otherwise. Looks like you all had a great time!
Kay, you are so right! Blogging has taken me on a lovely and unexpected journey. Thanks for stopping by.