The best thing you’ve ever done for me, is to help me take my life less seriously, it’s only life afterall. –Indigo Girls, Closer to Fine
My blog turned two last month and I totally forgot to celebrate. Boo on me. And yay for my blog!
Last month also marks the anniversary of my first friendship that went from virtual to IRL. Though it started as a somewhat of a stalkerish Single White Female relationship, it is now a real life bestie friendship that I will take to my grave.
When I first started my blog, I began doing research on other blogs in San Diego and of course came across San Diego Momma very early in my search. It only took one or two reads of her blog, which included mention of her love for the Indigo Girls and all things maudlin, for me to know that I was in love. Like stand outside her window with a boom box blaring Closer to Fine love, but only platonic and not with a boom box, but a iPod docking station.
Each and every time I read one of her posts I would YOL, Yes out loud. Like Meg Ryan in the When Harry Met Sally orgasm scene. Yes! Yes! Yes! (again, a sexual reference, but it was strictly platonic, I swear). I began commenting on her blog and may or may not have peed myself a little when she commented on mine in return. Her magic with the written word truly inspired me in my own writing.
I began participating in her PROMPTuesdays in which she would pose a writing prompt to her readers as a way to stretch my very green writing legs. A few months passed and I sent her an email telling her how much I loved her blog (cringe!) and asked her if she would put me on her blogroll in return for a place on my blogroll which consisted of no one. In her sincere, gracious way, she obliged my request, and the next day “Mama Mary Show” appeared in her righthand sidebar (squee!).
As the months went by, we continued our comment love for one another and the list of things we had in common grew like muscles on steroids. Like, our love for the word poo, our infatuation with Saturday Night Live and our disdain for freakish things like unicorns and cats (sorry to all you cat lovers out there).
In May 2009, I got an invite from her to an event called “Moms Night Out” which was probably my first official GNO since having my second daughter the year prior. I practically jumped into her arms when I met her in person. With an overzealous, “Hi Deb, It’s Mary!” I hugged her and maybe peed my pants a little again. Only to find out later that she had no idea who I was when I said “I’m Mary.” Bygones.
A few months later I became more involved in Twitter and she invited me to my first “Tweetup” in which she sat next to me since no one else would, because that’s the kind of person she is, feeling sorry for the lonely girl in the corner.
After a crock pot lesson, a handful of wine-filled GNIs, a thousand tweets and countless laughs later, my infatuation has turned into a full-fledged friendship.
So today, the first day of Thanksgiving week and also Deb’s birthday, I raise my glass in thanks and appreciation for my dear friend who inspires me daily and continually keeps me closer to fine. Happy Birthday, Soul Sister!
Leave some birthday wishes for Deb in the comments and visit her blog to tell her how hawt she is.
that’s it, i’m moving to san diego.
Would love it! And grab MomZombie on your way out of town. The four of us would have a lot of fun together! : )
Hey! It looks like I might be (90 percent chance) going to LA in late January for a few days. Is that within range? Let me know.
–MZ
Yes, I’m less than 2 hours away from LA. I’ll grab Deb and we’ll head up to see you! Keep me posted. Put Melissa in your suitcase. : )
It looks like Jan. 21-23-ish at this point. We’re trying to grab a good flight deal. I’ll keep you posted!!!!!
Seriously! Get you butt over here.
i’m on my way. ETA….august!!
YAY for SDM!! Happy Birthday Deb – you are mucho freakin’ awesome. ;)
I think I met you through Deb, so yay for us too. : )
YES! YES! YES! That is true – yay for US!
I’m thinking I can totally relate to this blog. I stalk Jean (Has Been Shopping), and now, apparently you! I took a sick day today and I’m loving stalking all my favorite blogs…for real!
I love me some Deb. She’s been my blog hero since I discovered her a few years ago when I started blogging. That woman has the whole package, brain and hotness and fabulous shoes.
Whole package is right. And LOVE her shoes. Would totally steal them if I didn’t have such ginormous feet.
Awww, that is a sweet story! I wish I had a bloggy friend who lived nearby. That would be divine!!
I love you both. Now if you’ll excuse me I need to go get a tissue.
Oh My God.
This is the best thing ever I have read ever and is the best thing ever.
I am so lucky to count you as a friend.
And so honored that you wrote these beautiful words about me.
LYLAS (really!) –
Deb
Its just so awesome when blog friends turn real friends. Well, I think it is. I have yet to have it happen successfully. You know, without being accused of stalking. ;)
What a sweet tribute!
I’ll be sure to pop over and say ‘hi’ and let he know you sent me. :)
Cheers to your 2 yr. blog birthday as well!
~h
An awesome tribute Mary! And all so very true.
I too am thankful to know Deb IRL. She is a lovely and kind person. And, she can write her arse off! So much so in fact, that one day I will brag by saying I knew her when. She’s funny. She likes good music. She’s got style. Annnnnnd, she is not that much younger than me! Yay! xxoo, Happy Birthday Deb!
I am thankful to know you IRL life too Mary.
Happy Birthday Dear Deb. You are truly something special.
Happy Birthday, Deb!
Still hoping to meet you IRL!
I hope you get a naked spanking . Um, you know like when you were a little baby being just born. You know.
Like that.
Yeah. Yup.
Happy Birthday.
Am I still typing?
How stalker-ish is it if I tell Deb HAPPY BIRTHDAY in every social medium I can find?
Oh really? That bad, huh? Okay, well, maybe you’ll tell Deb happy birthday *for* me and I won’t be quite so stalker-ish, please? Thanks!
Off to Twitter to . . . um, yeah.
I also “met” you both in the virtual world, through Twitter first, then your fabulous blogs and finally IRL at the GNO at Croce’s in January. {That seems like ages ago & like yesterday at the same time. :)} Since you were together when I met you in person I’ve always just seen you as a pair that comes together, like wine & cheese or wine & chocolate, or wine & more wine! :) Hope to see both of you, together, soon!
Happy Birthday Deb!!
Wha? You two don’t like cats? *sobs* So much for that fantasy. Happy Birthday to Deb, your soul sista. I’m glad I found both of your blogs and that you two found each other. Happy Thanksgiving.
Just had to come back again today, even though it’s no linger my birthday.
I love reading these comments.
Mare and everyone? Thanks again.
XO!
[...] and I received the most beautiful and amazing well wishes. Among them, this from my kindred-soul friend, Mary. And in addition to a plate of other things (like deep and lasting love) her lovely post inspired [...]
Well holy poo, ladies, do I really have to move out there? Wahhhh….why don’t y’all just come out and see me HERE? It is so conforting to find kindred spirits. Although, I must admit that I am a little jealous of you, Mary, yes purely platonic and all. Happy birthday #2 to your blog! Mine just turned one and I am afraid I haven’t been doing too great of a job with it for a while. Ah well…the closer I get, the closer I am to fye-yii-yii-eee-yay-eee-yuh…
And oh yeah (duhhh, me…uhhh, it is almost 10 pm where I live so y’all just need to forgive me) Happy Birthday Deb! If I had been on the ball (what ball, right?) I would’ve known. I am nothing if not endlessly late…but ALWAYS sincere! Love and poo!
Julia
aawwww… I love you both!
Who knows it.
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