Due to plane delays, I was the last of my group to arrive. I picked up the rental car and made my way to the hotel restaurant where the first four were waiting for me; one I had met and the others I only knew through the interwebs.
My heart did a nervous jig like it would have on the first day of summer camp. I knew I’d be fine, but the anticipation and excitement gave me some antsy pants.
My eyes scoured the bar and I found them, the first instinct I had was to yell and wave both arms in the air. I’m certain other patrons thought I was a total moron or that I was having a seizure. But we raced together and hugged and then I knew…this would be an amazing weekend.
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I’ve been thinking of this weekend as Blog Camp for some time, though it wasn’t anything official like that. No, a group of friends decided to come together from all over the continent to learn and laugh and love and linger. In my mind, it had all the elements of my childhood summer camp and my anticipation was equally as great.
There was a counselor who kept us on time and encouraged. She made sure everyone had everything they needed and facilitated “sessions” where we learned invaluable information.
There were quiet/shy girls and belly laughers and goof-offs (myself included).
There were southern biscuits, Canadian chocolates, tasty sangria, and enough Apple products to run a small country.
There were fearless types who jumped into the lake fully clothed.
There were women who led impactful conversations about faith and our Lord. Blessings, affirmations, and constructive criticisms were given.
There were overwhelmingly emotional moments and prayers that wound us and bound us. There were giggles and conversations that lasted into the wee hours.
There were tough talks and tough love.
There were inadvertent moonings (okay, that was me).
There were bear hugs.
And at the end of it all, there were tears that wouldn’t seem to quit.
This weekend was an incredible joy…and I was honored to be among each of the amazing women there. They are mine and I am theirs. And just as I felt when I left my summer camp friends as a child, I can’t flipping wait to be with them again next year!
Sounds like an amazing time. I would love to go. I’m actually leaving in the a.m. to Baltimore for the Fitbloggin’ Conference. I’m so excited but nervous too, I don’t know any of my roomies so that will be weird. I went to Blissdom in 2010 and loved it so I’m sure this will be awesome too. Plus I’m excited that we’re all fitness and health bloggers so we get to do a 5k, Zumba, bootcamp, cross fit classes etc.
Can’t wait. Glad you had a great time…you’ve got me more excited now.
Oh my gosh, I am so touched. Seriously. That was so ridiculously sweet. I’m kinda speechless. thanks y’all!
i’m crying at work AGAIN!
Very cool experience! I’m green with envy. And on a lake no less! Thanks for sharing!
Oh friend. You and Kelly captured everything SO PERFECTLY. What a gift to all of us, the way you use your incredible talent.
So many tears. So much laughter. Truly, it was sacred and ridiculous and beyond words. I could not have possible summed it up better with all the words in the world. This is perfection.
love this and love you. Thank you, friend.
I’m a little teary now! What a wonderful recap.
“They are mine and I am theirs.” This sums it up perfectly. Love you!
Beautiful. Makes all of us on the outside sigh – with gratitude for your experience and wonder if we might ever find something like it. I’m grateful for the group of women I’ve met with annually for 25 years now, often just for meals, sometimes for an overnight. But at a lake – with TWENTY people? Wow. Somehow, I had imagined 8-10 max. Good on you for making it happen.
The diving shot of me is hilarious! I love this so much Jen.
AW!!! You got “Southern biscuits” right over the shot of my bewbs. And yes, to all of this, friend. All of it. So much love and may the next three hundred and sixty sumpm days go by fast until we’re all under one roof together again.
Southern biscuits. Tee-hee.
By the end of this I had chills and some tears. I’m so grateful for you, friend. You are wise and a softy and so gorgeous and SO MUCH FUN. Thank you for listening to my rambles and forgiving me for hemorrhoid talk and speaking truth into my life. Adore you. <3
No words, J. None will do but thank you thank you thank you. And I love you, my friend. xo
It is nice to take a much needed break to read this and process a little more the gift that this weekend was to me. I am SO grateful to know you better, to call you friend. Thank you for making me laugh, a lot, this weekend…for being the bug hero….for running the aisles at Wal Mart with me…for your generous heart and the way you shared how you were processing the girl’s Sri Lanka trip….for your art, your photos. Love you! ~K
*sniffle* Gosh I miss you guys. No wonder I’m in a funk this week.
Love this & you ~ you cracked me up the whole weekend! Love your humor, your voice, your sass! You are a rock star! Can’t wait for next year too!! ~Chris Ann
I pretty much just left this post open on my browser for the past 2 days in the mistaken and somewhat weird hope that if I don’t comment on this and close the window, the weekend won’t end.
I already miss you so much, it aches.