Tuesday, August 25, 2009

When Thelma Met Louise

It's been a month since I returned from San Francisco, and I still haven't written about the people portion of my trip. Funny since that was the most important part. Meeting friends was the real reason for the trip. I think I haven't written about meeting blogging friends because I hold that experience so close to my heart. The relationships we formed feel far too precious to write about casually. I feel like my "blog camp" friends deserve a trumpeting fanfare, a parade with them waving from the back of a cherry red convertible. They should, at the least, be showered in confetti and gifts. All I have are words. Not enough. Not nearly enough.
This picture, taken by an obliging stranger, is my favorite of the entire trip. Look at us. See how much we enjoy each other? It's all right there, in our faces. Real affection, laughter, kinship.

These pictures are of Robin and I. Our SF pals are much too camera shy for these posts. But, the kinship exists with them as well. How could it not? We laughed until our sides ached. We walked until we needed foot reflexology. We took more pictures than you can imagine. We inspired and challenged each other. Most of all, we talked. We talked about goals, about our pasts, about our passions, about old hurts and new joys. We were real. We connected. We looked deeply at each other. We saw each other. And we liked what we saw.

Dutchbaby and I met the most wonderful couple on the beach. They were both in grad school, and were building their first sandcastle. Those two were delightful, so full of life they fairly sparkled. As we talked DB mentioned that we were blogging friends that had only met the day before. Our new friends were shocked. The girl said,"Really? I just knew you two were lifelong friends." My answer? "We are. It just goes forward instead of back." And that's it. Those two sentences sum it up. When you meet a blog friend, when you spend time together, you become lifelong friends - going forward.


49 comments:

d smith kaich jones said...

These are such wonderful, wonderful, wonderful pictures of you & Robin. And I love you - "we are lifelong friends, it just goes forward." That is an inspired piece of thought there, ma'am. My last post to read this evening - thank you!

:) Debi

An Open Heart said...

Cool! This inspires me for my own trip to Blog Camp Reno! I love visiting your blog...I especially loved your recommendation for the "Playing for change" project...
I shared it with my family and friends, they all loved it, too.

;o)
S

Dandy said...

Those pictures are so perfect! What a wonderful connection. You two beauties taking Frisco by storm... I love it.

robin-bird said...

i just went off and wrote you an e-mail before i made my comment here. you are a real treasure relyn. i can hardly believe my good fortune in finding you. and you finding me:) i adore that last photo. such affection and ease we had by the time we were on our way home. i cannot recommend blog camp with enough enthusiasm to any of you who have the slightest inclination to go on an adventure unlike any other you have yet had! it is more fun and a lot easier than flying off a cliff in a convertible i'll tell you that much!
OX

Gigi Thibodeau said...

This post made my heart sing, Relyn. People like you are the reason I blog. Oh, and those photos are gorgeous!!! xoxo

Jessica said...

I love the idea of being life-long friends going forward! Perfect!

Jeanne said...

How beautiful indeed

Love and hugs♥

Tricia said...

just beautiful relyn. your words and you.
love,

Meri said...

Yes to Gigi. Yes to Debi. Yes to Robin. Wish I were there.

Tracy said...

Oh, I wish I'd been there also, Reyln! Meeting blog friends for real really solidifies and takes the friendships to a new dimension. How wonderful you got to meet your friends--so happy for you! :o) ((HUGS))

Marilyn Miller said...

Blogging friends are the best, especially when you can meet them face to face. What a special time you had.

beth said...

wow...I just had happiness spill out all over my computer screen and onto my keys....

these are great photos...really really great !

meeting blogging friends is just the best thing ever...well, next to chocolate !

Char said...

so sweet and beautiful - instant friendship, so rare and cherished

spudballoo said...

Oh fantastic! That first shot is outstanding, it 'beams' happiness. xx

Elle Bee said...

What a wonderful friendship. The photos convey such familiarity and love. Beautiful.
Elle

Jeanne said...

Love you ♥

Connie said...

I adore these pictures...they sum up so many fabulous emotions!!!
makes me happy to look at ya'll!
The world of bloggging is indeed an interesting phenomenom...so many like minded people coming together in friendship...

Gayle said...

That is so sweet! And, the photos are wonderful!

studio wellspring said...

i'm so lucky to have been a part of your people-in-sf merriment! i'm smiling ear to ear just thinking of how sweet & real & fun you are. too bad we live so far apart!

PixieDust said...

Your friendship, shining through these photos, makes me absolutely giddy!

:-D

(((hugs))),
love,
me

ELK said...

thank you for posting such spontaneous joy !

Latane Barton said...

What a wonderful friendship going there. You two girls are just shining with excitement and joy.

Ragamuffin Gal said...

I love this picture - perfect really perfect! Is she wearing your sunglasses? Or her own? It more fun wearing yours! Blessings my friend who always makes me laugh and enjoy life more - just as I know you were doing the same for each other. How Wondee!!!

robin-bird said...

it is fun to see what joy our joy brings to other people. i love coming back here to see us over and over :) OXOX.

margie said...

relyn i am still jealous of that trip!! with my sister robin, darn you. going without me.

allisondegeorge said...

Relyn

thanks for 'leaving me the gift of your comment'...

yes the photos are mine, it makes me glad that you liked them

thank you for continuing to stop by

and 'the story'
keeps getting better
someday soon
i will sit down and write it for you?!?

Jeanie said...

Oh, I love that. Lifelong friends, just going forward instead of back.

I have never heard it put more perfectly.

This post makes me smile and almost makes me cry. It's so full of joy and love and warmth, it almost spills out of my heart as tears! Beautiful photos, beautiful people, beautiful memories. But that description -- the best.

Elena said...

Relyn, I hope you don't mind my joining your Followers list. I'm not sure how I found your blog but your posts have touched and inspired me.

Relyn Lawson said...

Elena,

Of course I don't mind. I am honored. Thank you so much. And, welcome.

Mrs. E said...

I just love the joy in that first picture--and the love in the last!

Dutchbaby said...

I am flattered beyond measure to be your lifelong friend going forward. I wish I was able to spend more time with you when you were here but am so grateful for the time we did have!
Love that first photo!
xoxoxo

Gill said...

How bril is this?
You and Birdie poo are like soul sisters! Look at your beaming faces!!! It thrills me to read this post...you two are such incredibly inspiring ladies...it's so fortuitous that you've met one another.
xoxo

Bumpkin Hill said...

I just came across your blog through Tracy at PinkPurl, what a wonderful friendship you clearly have, lovely photos. Have a good weekend, Catherine

Susanna-Cole King said...

Aw, I love the first photo especially, it's definiately one of those photos where the expressions are so candid and genuine it's lovely! So happy to hear you were able to meet such amazing people!

xoxo,
S-C

christina said...

hi beautiful! i just love the friendship and love of these photos.
xoxo

Anairam said...

It looks like you had just the greatest time - what wonderful photos - you really do look like you've been friends for years and years and years! (PS I liked your Friday happy post about saying "yes" to life. Good advice, good life philosophy. PPS. You write beautifully, by the way. PPPS. And thanks for visiting my blog ...)

Wildflower Studio (Michelle Dransart) said...

Oh, I just LOVE this! Thanks for sharing! You too are too cute!

Pearl Maple said...

That is a lovely post and beautiful concept for life long friends. Have a great weekend!

Sue said...

I'm a new blogger, having just started my first (and planning my second). I am obsessed with the "next blog" button, as I look for blogs that touch me somehow. They are few and far between, but I like your style. I've met a few online friends in real life, and we also shared an immediate bond that both surprised and delighted us.

dulcy said...

Looks like such fun! I'm so happy I got a hug from both you and Sloane today. You'll probably see me a lot this year and we can catch up. I miss you, but I really miss you when I see you at school. Does that make sense?

xo

Suvarna said...

such beautiful beautiful women you are! love these shots and so very glad you got a chance to meet and enjoy each other's company.
xoxo
S

Patti said...

I love those pictures Relyn!!! They are just perfect~ How wonderful to add to your circle of friends and really meet up and know each other so well. You both are truly lucky!!! I hope your week went well and you have a wonderfully deserved weekend!

SE'LAH... said...

you both look so happy. i love it! meeting kindred spirits is so deeply fulfilling.

you're a wonder, Relyn.

Deanna Bland Hiott PhD, MSN, RN said...

Awww, I'm envious...this post is just too cool!!! Absolutely perfect!
I see people who are so happy and connected...Isn't it amazing? A small silver box well placed on our laps opens up the world and invites in friends...Wow. :D

robin bird said...

i am loving the comments and the fact that this post has been up so long :)
XO

Relyn Lawson said...

Robin, Me too. I love how everyone connects with the emotions behind the post. I love that you can feel the affection. It's not the ticker tape parade I wanted for you guys, but it'll do.

susanna said...

Ohhh, I'm so happy you found kindred spirits, Relyn. Yes, this blogging world has some pretty wonderful people in it.

Elizabeth Halt said...

oh, I just got all teary-eyed! I love this post and I love the photos of you and Robyn - especially that first photo. It's the kind of photo that you can't plan but is the best ever when you happen to catch it.

and that "friends forever - going forward". love it. just love it.

Lynne said...

Hi Relyn,

Can you please send me your email address? I would love to send you an email.

Thank you,

Lynne xx

Oldies, but Goodies