Have you ever looked around the room and realized that you are surrounded by amazing women who are all smarter than you, funnier than you, and prettier than you, but you love them anyway?
{Photo credit: Carrie. PS: That’s only like two thirds of us}
That happened to me last weekend.
Cupcake ’10 was a retreat where two and a half dozen bloggers gathered in a beautiful home in Wisconsin to eat, drink, and be bloggy. It was an incredibly unique experience.
{Photo credit: Crooked Eyebrow}
No one had to explain why they were arranging cupcakes and wine bottles toward the light and then getting down on their knees with their camera.
{Photo credit: ALSO Crooked Eyebrow}
There was no hierarchy of popularity based on page views, no rock-star attitudes or star-struck demeanors. We were all so instantly comfortable that we held each others’ babies.
{Photos by Crooked Eyebrow, Hyacynth, Crooked Eyebrow}
Heads bobbed in agreement when someone said that they blog because they like to hear themselves talk (amen, sister); tears fell in sympathy (and empathy) as the heart-wrenching stories that led us to blog were shared.
There were 30 bloggers in one room, and yet I saw only one single laptop being used the entire time: to skype with a beloved fellow blogger who couldn’t be there.
Sure, we talked about SEO, page-rank, and comment validation, but that was not the highlight, the priority, or the norm.
We were there to be there. Together.
It took me a while, but I’ve come to realize that the entire event wasn’t even about blogging, really.
It was about the stories we are telling. The stories themselves that we write on our own computers in our own little corners of the interweb that for one ridiculously perfect moment in time were woven inextricably together. It was beautiful. And sweet.
sounds incredible. maybe i will be there next year. just gotta work on my bloggin’ skills. well, that and start taking more pictures! glad you had fun!
There were no requirements of blogging skills or picture taking prowess. Just women, telling our stories (that includes you!).
mmmm, looks incredible! the blogging thing AND the chocolate cupcakes at the end.. hot tamales, i could really go for one of those right now..
O, me too. We don’t have nearly enough sweet baked goods in our house.
That is just so cool! I’ve never had the chance to get together with bloggers, but I can imagine how wonderful it would be. Sharing tips and ideas and life. Wow. So cool you got to be a part of it!
You should organize something in your area! MN folks are getting together next week to work at a charity, too! Bloggers are a wonderful group, I bet you’d be surprised at what falls together!
“amazing women who are all smarter than you, funnier than you, and prettier than you”…I seriously beg to differ!!! ♥
I was just looking around the room being blown away at how wonderful these women are. Very humbling.
That truly sounds awesome. I’m glad you got to partake in something like that! I’m a wee little jealous!
It really was great. Can you imagine cooler people to hang out with for a weekend? Relfective, creative, funny, thoughtful, friendly, outgoing bloggers. It was AWESOME. (BTW 2 of us just decided to plan it and I jumped in an helped. It was pretty ‘grassroots’ if you will. You should plan one!)
That sounds like it was a great time! Now, I must know, where were those cupcakes from? they look delicious!
They were from the Daisy Cupcakery in Madison, WI. All natural ingredients made fresh that morning just for us and they WERE delicious!
Yes it was.
And YOU had probably the sweetest face of them all.
Awe, thanks Ann. I’m so glad you came back for Sunday morning. You’re great.
Smarter than you? NO WAY.
I love what you said about laptops not really being out. I believe this is the most unattached I’ve been from my phone in a long time. I had it out Saturday night to say goodnight to Luke when Shane called, but other than that, I frequently left it in our room. This never happens, but it was such a good feeling to be disconnected.
I know! My phone was in my purse in the coat closet for pretty much all of Saturday.
‘Disconnected’ in order to actually BE connected, though, you know? That’s why I’m totally okay with the fact that my camera died at like 6:00 Saturday night. No distractions but the lovely ladies around me!
Babies, blogs and cupcakes?!?!?!? Jealous!
The trifecta! :)
Allison, I love how you presented it. You’re so right about their not being any attitude or egos or even visible inferiority complexes. It was awesome. Such a cool group of women and I wish I had gotten more a chance to talk with you than I did. Next time, for sure. :)
-elizabeth
That was one of the neatest things to me. No cliques, no attention seeking, no comparing. Just people. Being people. With other people.
Sounds so lovely! Can’t wait for next years, you’d better believe I’ll be there :)
I do believe. I’m excited!
Well said Allison! If I could have I would have left my computer off the entire time – I did get it out though to share a photo trick with Cynthia that I couldn’t explain without having the html in front of me….
Thanks for sharing OBaby with me for a little while – I could stare at his eyes all day!
Looking forward to seeing your sweet smile soon!
Carrie
Thank you for holding him! Sadly, I won’t be at the FMSC gathering, but I do hope to see you again soon!
AMAZING photo of all of you gals!
Thanks! The setting was gorgeous and we were facing a huge wall of windows (which would explain the fab lighting).
It sounds like a perect weekend. Kindred spirits and baked goods….sounds great to me!
Mmmm nothing better. Well, babies. Add babies to that list.
How much fun. Looks like a great time. I love blogging and when I see of gatherings because of gathering it makes my love grow even more. Come check out my blog http://www.carribear0620.blogspot.com
Ahhhhhh, this post is like one big perfect contented sigh.
Yes. Thank you.
(Oh, and yeah–what Sarah said.)
Thanks Maggie! So many different perspectives came out of this weekend, hasn’t it been fun to read them all?
It sounds and looks like it was such an amazing weekend. And I know it was. I’m so very glad you got to experience it. : )
Wish you had been there!
Smarter, prettier, and funnier than you? Wow! That really must have been amazing.
And it was :). Love you Daddy.
Well said!!!!
Kind of makes me want to move to the Midwest! ha ha. Or maybe, start this out East (the real East that is)!