My New Happy: Magic And Friends And Toronto

Friday, May 26, 2017

Magic And Friends And Toronto


I keep getting older, and I keep learning lessons.  To take chances.  To be brave.  To step outside your comfort zone. And you can never have too many friends.

That last one is important.

It's taken me all week to write this post, because I've needed time to let the gratefulness sink in.  I believe there are people in the world that you're destined to meet.  People who make your life better, fuller, richer.  You never know where you might find them, but if you keep your eyes and your heart open, magic happens.

Last weekend I traveled to Toronto to laugh, talk, eat, shop, and spend time with ten amazing ladies from The Blended Blog.  We took the longest bus ride ever, walked the longest walk ever, ate all the poutine, drank all the margaritas, stopped for a million pictures, and connected like we'd known each other for years.  Seriously, if you had told anyone around us that we just met, they wouldn't have believed you.

I don't know how we found each other in this great big blogging world, but it was obviously meant to be.  It's that magic thing.  All I know is, my heart is full, and I'm so thankful and happy to call these women my friends.

Today I want to share them with you.  Be sure to visit their blogs, because each of them writes with such a beautiful, authentic voice.  

P.S. Sadly, I don't have pictures with all of the ladies.  I'm terrible at selfies, so I usually give up, and then regret it later.  Must up my photography game.  In random order:


I first met Deena three years ago when she came to Seattle, and we clicked right away. She is smart, funny, thoughtful, utterly organized, and totally delightful.  I admire her relationships with family and friends, and kind of want to be her when I grow up.  She called me a big sister, which melted my heart, so now we're family, l'il sis.


Christy is Deena's BFF and after meeting her, I can totally see why.  Right away I loved her energy and beautiful smile, her taste in music, and her positive attitude.  She has two boys, and it's fun to relive all those parenting moments through her adventures.


I really enjoyed getting to know Lisa, and wish we'd had more time to talk.  She's so stylish and creative, and wears a tuque better than anyone.  Right now she's working on a clothing line, and I can't wait to see everything, because I know it will be amazing.


Shaunacey and I met last year in Vegas, and I couldn't wait to see her again.  She's so kind and fun, and I love her sense of humor and the way she sees life.  Plus, she's the most adorable pregnant lady I've ever known.


I have so much admiration for Katie, and she's another one I wish I'd had more time with. She's strong and determined, and her enthusiastic love of life is contagious.   She also has the prettiest clothes, and I want them all.


Sarah just makes me happy, and I feel like I've known her forever.  We also met in Vegas, and I was so excited to spend more time with her.  Luckily we sat together on the longest bus ride ever.  Her kind smile is infectious, and her heart is as big as they come.  She also takes the best selfies, has the best hair, and knows her makeup.  I need lessons in all these things.


Nicole has been on an amazing journey over the last year, and she inspires me daily. For real. I wish I had her motivation and will power.  She's super cool, creative, and fun to talk to.  I loved that she was tall with me, and she took the most incredible pictures of our weekend.


Alison kind of sneaks up on you.  She quietly sits back and takes it all in, but once you get her talking she's witty and smart and so fun to hang with.  She's also a member of the tall club and has the prettiest shirts.


The "moms" of the group were Andrea and I.  With our boys off to college, we have a lot in common, and a lot to talk about.  I was sorry we didn't have more time.  She is as genuine, caring, thoughtful and sweet in real life as she is on her blog.  Nobody rocks an off the shoulder top like Andrea!


Whitney is a french teacher and world traveler, which I think is so cool. I was very thankful for her great advice before I went to Paris last year.  She's sweet and kind and knows the best poses for the camera.  More lessons for me.


Yep, it was meant to be. Can't wait to spend time with these ladies again next year!




16 comments:

  1. Love you so much and this was just precious!!! I want many more chats with you my friend!! Enjoy a nice, long weekend!!

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  2. You all are an amazing group of ladies! Love seeing your photo recap! Enjoy the long weekend!

    Jill
    Doused In Pink

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  3. Love this...magic was a fabulous way to describe the whole thing!! So glad we got to spend the weekend together!! Also, thank you for your kind words!!

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  4. Love! Great descriptions of each of us. So glad I met you xo.

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  5. I'm loving that I keep coming across photos I haven't seen yet from our weekend! Haha. Although what am I looking at in our selfie!?! Maybe I'm the one that needs help posing :p

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  6. I'm with Whitney I keep coming across photos I haven't seen either. I'm loving reading all of these about everyone. I am so thankful for meeting everyone too!

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  7. I don't know all of these ladies, but I do follow some of their blogs and would have loved to have met them! Such a fun trip! I have only met a few bloggers, there aren't a lot of them in STL!! So, when I get to meet one it is quite a treat! I am meeting my best blogger friend at Disney this summer and I can't wait! Y'all look so stylish! :)

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

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  8. I am so enjoying reading everyone's recap.They all pretty much say the same thing and that is that each and every one of you is kind, genuine, and supportive. What a breath of fresh air! Now I'm addicted to all of your blogs! Happy weekend!
    xo,
    Kellyann
    http://www.thisblondesshoppingbag.com

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  9. I'm glad you had such a great time. Blogger meet-ups are the best!

    There was just too many of you for me to come and meet up with you when you were here. Plus you guys had your own plans already.

    Great photos and I'm happy the weather was decent when you were here.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  10. Such a unique experience. Thanks for sharing, it was a lovely read.

    Bojana
    bosbodaciousblog.blogspot.ca

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  11. I'm with you on the photo thing. Like what was I doing when everyone else was taking selfies? Go tall club! :)

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  12. Lana, I am so happy to hear you had such a great trip ... it sounds like you had a great deal of fun xox... I am hoping to meet a lot of people that I have met through blogging, so many I feel like we would be the greatest of friends. Isn't is wonderful when it works out like that xox

    I am sorry I haven't been around for a long time, my health was not good and it left me very depressed... I am finally feeling like I am getting back to my old self. It is great to get back to blogging and catching up with everyone xox

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  13. Poutine is magical! So is Toronto. So is opening your heart and taking chances. This blogging thing is pretty awesome. I love all the photos and connections!

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  14. Amazing post.Nice work.Keep up the good work.
    blend brand jeans

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