When Bloggers Meet There's Magic

What happens when you take seven women, of all different ages and stages of life, who don't really know much about each other, and send them on a journey together?  

Magic.

Last weekend I had the pleasure of spending three days with these amazing ladies.  We attended the BAM 2016 Conference, talked, shopped, laughed, shared, ate all the food, then talked and laughed some more.  It felt like I'd known them forever.  

In the near future I'll share what I learned at BAM.  But honestly?  I didn't really go to Vegas for the conference.  I went because I felt a connection to this group of women, and I wanted to meet them for real.

All week as I've thought about writing this post, I kept coming back to the word magic.  I'm supposed to be a writer, but I'm having a hard time putting into words how I feel about these ladies.  I wish you could look into my heart and see the happiness inside.  

There was no awkwardness or uncertainty.  From the first moments, they felt like long lost sisters, and that only strengthened as the weekend went on.  If you know Deena, Carrie, Shaunacey, Sarah, Alison or Sheila through blogging, I can tell you that every one of them are smarter, kinder and more beautiful in person.  Plus they all have fantastic hair and make up and clothes.  I need lessons.

I stepped off the plane and waited for Carrie in baggage claim.  We met for the first time last June in San Antonio, and I was so excited to see her again.  Carrie has the most compassionate, caring heart.  She knows herself well, and though she is tiny (like, I'm pretty sure I could have brought her home in my suitcase), she's mighty.

We went outside to find Sheila and Sarah, who so very kindly circled around and around the airport forever, waiting to pick us up.  Sarah is one of the sweetest people I've ever met. She exudes light and positivity, and I felt so happy whenever we were together.  Sheila and I didn't get to spend as much time one on one, but I know that she and I are coming from a very similar place in life, which is always a comfort.  She's strong and determined, and very dedicated (as in, got up and ran every morning, in the wee hours)!

The next to appear was the Canadian contingent.  What can I say about Deena? Since meeting her in Seattle in 2014, and getting to know her better in San Antonio, our friendship has grown.  I couldn't wait to give her a big hug.  She is genuine, loving, and smart.  If there's a charisma gene, she's got it, and I'm one of her devoted followers!  And Shaunacey.  She has the most brilliant sense of humor.  Even though she traveled one zillion hours to get to us, she was bright and wonderful and witty.  I haven't laughed so hard in forever, thanks to Shaunacey and some squished macaroons.

And last but not least, Alison arrived.  Finally, another tall person!  She was thoughtful and funny, and brave.  She spent the days exploring Vegas on her own, taking the most beautiful pictures.

Put the seven of us together, and you got magic.  Unexplainable, wonderful magic.  We missed the rest of our Blended Blog sisters, but I know that all of them would have fit in too. Somehow we've found each other, and it's a beautiful thing.

Go check out what the rest of the ladies have to say about our trip:

Carrie at A Lovely Little Wardrobe

Sarah at Foxy's Domestic Side

Sheila at Making The Most of Everyday

Deena at Shoes To Shiraz

Shaunacey at Simply Shaunacey

Alison at Puppies and Pretties