This past weekend I went to Ohio to meet up with some fabulous people.
I didn't know these people.
It was pretty freaking weird.
So, to be fair? I did know them. Kind of. One of them I live in the same town as and we've become really good friends and it's never uncomfortable or weird with her (and God love her, after fourteen hours in a vehicle with me, she probably knows WAY more about me than she ever wanted to know). One other I had met once and loved. The other three? I didn't know in person.
But I knew them from the internet.
The internet people. Weird.
So you get to know these people and correspond pretty much on a daily basis for about four and a half years and then you finally get a chance to meet them and you're all like, "WHAT???!?!?!?" Because one of them lives in England and the others live in California and you just don't think it will ever happen. And then it does and it scares the frick out you.
I have horrible, horrible social anxiety. I get past it when I get to know people, but at first? I know this is hard to believe, but it is REALLY hard for me to talk to people and get to know people. I feel awkward. I feel unattractive, especially around really beautiful people (for example, the people I met this weekend). I wonder if they will like me. I wonder if they'll talk about my ass on the way home ("Oh my God Becky, did you see her butt?").
But it was okay.
It was better than okay. I physically harmed myself I laughed so hard.
And for me, it was even more than that. It was a change. It was something I had to challenge myself to do. And then when I got there? It wasn't hard at all. It wasn't uncomfortable at all. I felt like I belonged. I felt like I could be myself and they would be cool with me.
And they were.
And it? Was awesome.
This therapy crap is working I think!
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26 comments:
14 hours in a car? That is a long time with people you don't know.
OMG! I am so complete green with jealousy. I want to meet that chick in person. "stomps foot"
No Captain Steve, just 14 hours in the car with me, which is much worse than riding with strangers!
I had a great time, too. And they are utterly diculously beautiful and funny, aren't they??
I am so proud of you but I agree with sugar....I want to stomp my feet also. So....I was thinking.... like maybe....the next time you come to North Carolina we should go out to lunch or something. I am about an hour from Raleigh soooo...I was thinking...I don't know where your people are from but maybe it could be close...what do you think???
I so know what you mean. I've had the exact same anxiety and the exact same fabulous experience. It's a bit dizzying, isn't it?
It sounds wonderful. . . and having done the same thing, it's a bit hair-raising all at the same time!
I totally get the freak out of meeting "friends" from the net. Sometimes they are exactly like you expect and sometimes they suck. I met someone recently who sucked pretty bad. I felt like she should have spent some money on a therapist instead of a plane ticket. Where's a straight jacket when you need one?
I love this post. So honest. I think most of us feel this way and can't articulate it the way you just did (will they talk about me? will I ramble on making a fool of myself?...)
That's all. I just love it.
"Internet people" - are they anything like "the children of the corn?"
Glad you had a great time!
Well i recently got to meet my bff internet buddy, and it was awesome.
That's awesome, I met up with a fellow blogger this past weekend and altough it was the second time I met up with her, I was still very nervous. It's like you don't want to disappoint them if you aren't as funny in person as you are on your blog...lol.
I met that bitch Allie above me and we totally rocked the house.
I am so glad you had a good time! I am totally jealous that everyone got to meet you!
Hey...who are these people that got to meet you? I want to meet you! This is very unfair!
you should take yourself on tour around the country, so that all of us can meet you! that would be awesome!
internet people can be pretty great. i've met some great people through blogs and flickr and have become 'real-life' friends with them.
I LOVE internet friends. I met boyfriend on the internet, got to know him on the phone and when we met in person... it was perfection. I have met others from the internet and it didn't go as well... but I always love the chance of it all. Could be good... could be bad. :-) Glad you had fun. You totally rock and shouldn't worry about what people think of you! You are AWESOME!
your right, it is fun to get to know people you would not usually meet if not for the net! way to go girl, awesome!
Yay for therapy crap!!
good for you for stepping outside of your comfort zone. I know that's difficult. woo hoo for therapy!
I'm with sugar above, stomping my feet.
who did you meet?????
We could make it a road trip. I live in California. I can borrow my parents motorhome and pick up people on the way. Just bring LOTS of gas money and brownies.
Awsome! I remember reading a while back that you had a chance to meet another another blogger and you didn't do it. So excited to see you finally bit the bullet!
14 hours is a long time in the car with ANYONE;)
Ok, so you drove 14 hours to meet the internet people. You do realize that it is only 8 hours to drive here, right? K, then, see you next weekend.
We talked about your butt! But we were all discussing how hot it was!
xoxox
Oh BTW, everyone, That Chick is even more awesome than you think she is. No matter the nuclear level of awesomeness you believe she achieves, you aren't anywhere close to the reality. See, not only is she funny and incandescent and kind, she also is so comforting that you know if you wanted to you could just lean over and go to sleep on her shoulder and it would be okay. I had to fight the urge to sleep on her shoulder all weekend.
That is so cool. I remember about 6 months ago you talking about how you could NEVER meet up with those of us you've met on the internet because it would be awkward, uncomfortable, the connection that was there in blogs would evaporate in a real life face to face situation. Glad to see you were proven wrong.
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