Yes, here’s why blogging matters.

It’s been just over four years since Mo of Mocadeaux and I partnered up to do a joint monthlong daily blogging fest in December of 2013, which we called Partners in a Pair Tree. I remember thinking how extraordinary it was that I could do this with someone I’d never actually met; we knew each other through an online blogging course. But I knew  from her posts and the comments she left on my blog that she was a kindred spirit.

Imagine my delight when I got to meet her in person at a blogging conference in 2016. She and the delightful Katie Clooney of Preppy Empty Nester (who insists that George was her’s before he became Amal’s) generously asked me to join them in Salt Lake City. Oh man, did we ever have a hoot. There might have been some wine drunk and some secrets shared, but I’ll never tell.

Anywho, even though we promised to meet up again, I always wondered if it would actually ever happen. We live in two different countries; Mo’s in Chicago and I’m just outside of Vancouver, BC. That’s more than just across the road …

Here’s Why Blogging Matters

Happily, due to some pretty neat circumstances, I was recently blessed to hook up with Mo in her home city of Chicago.

It was a magical evening. You know when it seems that you’ve just seen the person and the time flies and then, sadly, it’s time to say goodbye again? Yes, that.

Aren’t familiar with Mo? Well, drop what you’re doing and pop on over to her site and have a gander.  It will soon become very clear why she was put in charge of the wine.

Thanks again, Mo, for making sure that we connected. It was lovely to see you again. I dearly hope the next time is sooner than before.

Katie, please know you were dearly missed.

Yes, here’s why blogging matters:

if we didn’t blog, chances are that I’d never have met these two gems.

For those of you who are new here, normally every Monday I share a teaser from the memoir I’m writing about the miraculous changes I underwent during the decade spent soldiering alongside my Type A mother in her successful Vancouver Asian antiques and collectibles shop. Miraculous? I think so. In 1983 I went in as a reluctant, dysfunctional Summer sales assistant. I knew nothing about Asian antiques and cared for them even less, yet I emerged in 1993 as a penny-pinching bookkeeper, confident buyer and rather capable salesperson. Toss in a boss blessed with multiple personas, two murdered customers, an introduction to the chap who’d become my husband, multiple quirky clients, and six overseas buying trips and well, it’s promising to be a fun read. Thanks for giving me a day off today. No worries, I’ll be back to the teasers next Monday.

In the meantime, thanks for letting me share my recent reunion with Mo.

Enough about us and “here’s why blogging matters.” I’m curious about you. Have you ever made friendships such as this online? If so, have you ever met the pal in real life? Better yet, who’s up for Mo and me partnering up together for round two of a little blogging magic? I wonder if I can maybe convince her, if you sing out loud enough? Hmmm. If you’d care to share or sing, I’d love to hear.

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30 Responses

  1. I love to see you two together! I hope to join the picture one day. I’ll be the tall one relegated to the back row. 🙂

    Are you off to Dayton this year for Erma? I was *this close* to pulling the trigger and then my path went a different direction (worky worky). We’ll see if 2020 is my year. Maybe we can be roomies if you don’t snore.

    1. You simply must join the picture one day, Katy! That’ll be splendid. I’ll be the one relegated to the front row …
      Yes, am off to Dayton. I am sorry that you won’t be there however I have great feelings about 2020. And no,I don’t snore so I’m yours.

  2. Oh Kelly, this is AWESOME. I just love that you two had a chance to see each other again and partake in allthethings! 🙂 I have several close friends, from blogging and I tell ya, those phone calls and some rare and beautiful meetups are GOLD. And let’s see some more of MO AND YOU!

    1. It was so awesome, Chris.Yes, you get it. She kindly drove me to the airport and we chatted about another blogging partnership. Sit tight, it’s comin’!

  3. Serendipity brought us together in Liv’s online class and I couldn’t be happier! You have always been so kind and supportive. I am incredibly thankful to have you and Katie as blog buddies and true – in real life – friends! As you know I’ve been tidying up my site and had the opportunity to revisit many of our Partners in a Pair Tree posts – dang that was fun!! I’ll team up with you anytime, anywhere, dear Kelly! And I am serious about the “Bloggers of a Certain Age” Retreat! Perhaps Erma can be our spirit animal. XXOO

    1. Ok- get noodling, Mo! I’ll do the same. I look forward to hearing what you come up with! I cannot tell you how much I love the “Bloggers of a Certain Age” Retreat idea. You’re brilliant.

  4. I would love to see you two collaborate again, I thoroughly enjoyed the first time ! So glad that you two were able to meet up again !

    1. Oh, it was so much fun, Jane. And I’m delighted to report that we managed to get in a repeat. Maybe you and I could do a Chicago field trip one day …

  5. How wonderful to have a meet up with Mo. I was hoping to see you at the EBWW in April but I’ve cancelled my trip. Don’t forget me though. I hope to meet up with you in 2020. XO

    1. I am so very sad that you have cancelled, Molly and that we won’t be able to meet up. However, I do know that it will happen for us again. Pressing the fast forward button to 2020.

  6. Blogging does matter! I’ve learned so much, and have met so many wonderful writers, and hope to meet them in real life one day!! Sounds like you had a great time!

    1. We surely did, Lynne. Are you going to Erma? If so, I hope to meet up with you there!

  7. Aw, two of my favorites! I’m so thankful you and I were able to meet in person a few years ago…you’re right, that is why blogging matters. Now I just have to get to Chicago to meet Mo…

  8. I’m familiar with Mo. I met her through Dana’s blog I believe. Go for it with the second round of magic! I always enjoy posts where bloggers meet, my world is so much bigger for knowing so many of you, even if it hasn’t been in person.

    1. Such a great point, Kenya, about your world being so much bigger for “knowing” so many bloggers. It’s the same with me.

  9. It’s awesome when you get to meet your blogging friends in real life. So far, I have only met one – but hoping for a few more.

  10. I am familiar with Mo and she rocks! Yes, it matters a LOT. I’ve met quite a few bloggers in person and some are lifelong friends. I just know it. And it’s now my whole career! Who knew?!

    1. Yes, it was so splendid to see Mo again. We’re already planning another meet up! And yes, two murdered customers. They didn’t know one another and were done in by different people …

  11. How absolutely fun to be able to meet up with a blogging friend. I haven’t done that yet (other than my daughters of course), but I think it would be wonderful.

    1. It is wonderful, Pat. I sure hope that you can meet up with a blogging pal one day.

  12. Agreed, one of the many reasons blogging matters in my world, too. Making friends across the miles and in the ether has been a lovely side-effect.

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