For months, I’ve been looking forward to this week — a week spent with my friends from the Internet at the “Friends for Life” conference in Orlando. A change of plans a few months back meant I had to cancel my trip to the conference. As excited as I am about those plans being changed, I’m terribly bummed I’m not in Florida right now. My Twitter and Facebook feeds have been inundated with posts, photos and updates from my friends enjoying each other’s company. I’m super happy for them, but I sure wish I could Photoshop myself into their reality.
photo credit: Sara Nicastro
When I traveled to Kansas City last year, it impacted my life in a phenomenal way. I made a host of new friends who, up to that point, I’d only known online. We became fast friends, and I treasure each and every one of them. But not everyone was able to come to Kansas City, and there are so many other people I’d love to meet. And one day, it will happen.
One day, I will look Kerri in the eyes and tell her how much her blog has meant to me and thank her for her honesty through Six Until Me. One day, I will wink at Brian from across the table and “pretend” to hit on him solely because he’s the only priest I know. I will wrap my arms around the necks of Ginger, Kelly, Martin, Lawren and Stacey. I will finally meet Q and Caleb and all the other kiddos who inspire me daily. One day, I will finally exchange spoken words with Manny, instead of only typed words. I will tell Mike and Jacquie how funny they are and exactly how much they make me laugh. One day, I will hug Meri and Ryan and pray over them in person. And of course, I will spend hours laughing and sharing with my friends from October — with Jess, Kim, Cherise, Allison, Jeff, Melissa, Mike, Heather, Simon and all the others who visited! And yes, one day, I’ll get another terrific hug from Scott.
Photo credit: Sara Nicastro
I’m super happy all my friends are able to go. I can only imagine how nice it would be to spend an afternoon at the pool with a group of people who have random adhesive sites on their bodies, too. I can imagine how fun it would be to order 27 Diet Cokes and one Diet Pepsi. (Hi, Sara). How great it would be to invade Disney World with a group of people who understand lows and highs. What a glorious time they must be having! One of the best parts of Kansas City was being around others who understood. The camaraderie is hard to understand and to put into words, but it is spectacular.
I am especially thankful these friends of mine are bloggers because I’m able to live vicariously through them and those marvelous posts sure to follow. I know my life has been enriched by having so many “online” friends. I can’t wait to hear about the fun, as well as all the information presented during the conference. I’m already following the conference through hashtags. Join in the information overload by checking out #FFL12!
And friends, have fun for me! (To check out other diabetes bloggers, visit my “Blogs worth nothing” page above).
Great post, Victoria! I also wish I could be there at FFL, but it didn’t work out this year… hopefully in the future. Love how everyone’s keeping up in the loop with their tweets and posts, and it’s awesome to have the ability these days to live vicariously and be able to feel like we’re actually there, even though we aren’t. No matter when it happens, can’t wait to see you again and give you a hug!
I also wish I’d been there this year (I’ve never gone) but I lived vicariously through all of our friends as well. Hopefully next year we can BOTH be there!!
The hotel actually served Diet Pepsi (as did most of the surrounding restaurants) so it was like getting mini revenge on all the jokes I have been put through!