Again, I my heart melts when I read all of your comments about my dad. Its only appropriate to introduce my dad to you. I mean, at least you know what your praying for…
Even though my dad needs a lot of rooting, I've been feeling such a wave of support as well! Go us!
But today, I’m not gonna write specifically about my dad. Ā I’m gonna talk about the relationships formed through blog reading. I guess it takes a terrible tradgedy for you to realize how many people are rooting for you.
Sure, blogs can be popularity contests and ways to bring in free products and maybe a book deal.
But sometimes, you truly form connections with people that seem closer to your than your family. A few bloggers manage to show some honesty on their blogs. Blogs are public diaries and readers slowly learn to love them.
I think I was reminded that today. I met with a fellow blogger and avid blog reader (what a coincidence, they happen to be married!). I’ve felt I’ve known them my whole life. I felt they knew me better than some members of my family. Most importantly, they were there with their support and hugs in a time I could really use the emotional strength.
Not taken today, and I assure you, we both look better in person!
The thing is, I have a feeling non-blog readers would think I’m crazy. How could you grow to love people you’ve met through the internet!? Some never hearing their voice!
Well, I think if your blog is a mindless display of food porn and other stuff, yea, its a little laughable. But I’m honest; maybe too honest on my blog. So people that read me know me. They know me better than most people I see on a daily basis. I think some people can get too consumed in “blog traffic”, possible revenue, and impending book deals.
I blog because its given me the chance to have connections with people that may as well be my family. I don’t have a huge family. Most Jews from Europe don’t. So I consider the friends and readers I’ve met through the blog family. I’ll even share a straw with them even though germs freak me out a bit. That’s right, feel special š
Have you found so deeply connected you’ve never met before? Have you ever connected with someone virtually and didn’t click with them in person? Would you consider some of your blog friends “family”?
Eden's Eats 
Hey Eden — I’m glad you are feeling the love š I hope you and your dad are doing ok today.
I’ve been thinking a lot about this topic recently. I literally started my blog as an online diary — I didn’t advertise it or try and build up traffic. But then slowly people found me, and I realised that you can build up some really cool relationships through the internet. And ones that actually *mean* something. At first I thought it was weird, but then I realised that if you’re honest in both your writing and your comments, then the people who you strike up correspondence with are those who you genuinely have an affinity with — be it in terms of interests, sense of humour, hatred of green monsters, etc š
I also have two huge bugbears that you’ll probably relate to: hit and run comments (never gonna happen in my case, haha!), and people who comment once, get a reply, and then never come back. It’s the transparency that gets me — do they not realise its obvious they’re just trawling for traffic!?
Sorry, I had a little rant there are the expense of your comments section. I’ll stop spamming you now. But just so you know: good topic š
please, you could never spam me! I’d read your blog, but I’ve just not been in the mood to read any blogs lately. Believe me, I’m not a hit and run.
I feel connected to dozens of other bloggers now, far more than I do to anyone in ‘real’ life aside from my parents. With social anxiety disorder, I find person-to-person interaction difficult, plus I’ve never met anyone with similar interests or struggles outside of blogging. I have a tiny family too, and before blogging I felt totally isolated and alone in many respects, convinced I was a freak destined to die alone, or at the very least a crazy cat lady. This might still be my destiny, but for the moment it’s been amazing to have people willing to accept the moron that I am, and interact with genuinely bright, intelligent, astute women (and the occasional guy).
It’s amazing to meet up with bloggers too, because that awkward introductory stuff has already been done: when you’re honest and upfront on your blog, I genuinely believe that readers and commenters can get to know the real ‘you’ better than you know yourself, on occasion.
xxx
Most of my closest friends are from blogs, whom I’ve met in person.
Well, being one who fell in love with her future husband before she ever saw his face, I can say that I’ve developed at least one meaningful relationship over the beauty that is the internet! And I do have several blog friends whom I never met that I consider like family…Maybe because I’m in the middle of nowhere, and all the friends I grew up with are scattered about, and my closest relative is my older sister who’s an 8-hour drive away. I’ve only had one blogger meet-up, and we both agreed that our real-life selves were just like our online selves…Which may be why I haven’t seen that guy since! š I hope your dad continues on the up & up!
I haven’t met any fellow bloggers yet, and I don’t feel as close to any as you do. But sometimes I feel like when I get online, I see some friendly faces! I’ve been blogging for a while, but I don’t get a lot of traffic, mostly just my family, but I have a few more acquaintances now. Maybe that will change.
I’ve been thinking of you and your dad. I hope things get better.
Granted, I think I’m picky with the people I feel close to. And I think facebook and maybe even twitter helps develop and deepen those relationships.
You know my spiel.
I’ve never met another blogger, much less one I feel close to. Considering I don’t have a lot of close relationships, I do find that those I’ve met through blogging are very special š They know all my crap and don’t care, actually choosing to read about it and like me anyway. Opening up myself to these things has made me exponentially happier and actually much more open with those I’m around every day. I dig online friends and trust people more š
I’m just ticked that everyone lives in California. Seriously. I don’t belong here on so many levels (and no Eden, I can’t move out there.) XOXO
+1 š
I’ve never met another blogger either, but there are a select few that I feel a connection with through blogging interaction. Enough that I feel like I can call them friends. Maybe we’ll meet one day, who knows!
Eden, so glad you were able to meet with Deb. I’m sure she was able to help you and put a smile on your face. Thats awesome she came out to visit you!
yep, I feel the same way. Even though I haven’t met half the bloggers I connect with, I feel such deep friendships. I hope that one day I get to meet you and Deb. Two people I truly admire.
š
feel the same away about blog friends, i love the few close blog friends i have made through blogging. I do not know what I would do without them! I have only met a few of them. You are, which I am sad to say our first meeting was not want I would of liked, and I apologize for that. Hopefully you can give me another chance š
Girl that’s the first thing I discovered about blogging that I had NO idea about. I really never thought you could have friends you had never met in person until I started blogging. It’s something you can’t really explain to others either. I have friends who think I’m freaking crazy and are all kinds of worried about me b/c “you don’t really know them do you?” Um yes, I kind of think so and some are better friends than those IRL “friends”
I’ve never really thought of myself as a “blogger” and I usually just read blogs and comment once in a blue moon, but I did meet my very best friend online. Meeting him in person definitely transformed our relationship to one where I could really say I “loved” him, but I think it makes perfect sense that you could love someone you’ve never even met. After all, it’s what’s inside that counts š Some blogs I read just for food porn but I love your honesty.
I was thinking about this exact same topic. I have an adopted blog ‘mom’ who checks in with me via e-mail on occasion (not just in the comment section of my blog), and a number of other bloggers who I feel are real friends, that, should I ever be stranded in the airport or have my car break down near them, I could call them up (if I had their numbers) and they’d come rescue me and take me in. There are blog friends that I’ve sent packages to, or talked to “live” on gchat and the like….and some of my best friends in Austin have blogs (although we didn’t meet through them).
I kind of feel like YOU are someone I’d get along with in real life. š Perhaps this summer I need to take a little road trip to California…[Oh, that’s right…if I win the sweet potato contest I’ve got to use my winnings to come visit!]
Shucks- sweet of you. When you said “blogger and avid blog reader” I thought, ‘that can’t be me!! I’m such a bad reader and recently a pretty absent blogger too!’ But then I realized that you meant Derek is the avid reader- thank god for him reading blogs or I would never know what’s going on in the ‘sphere! I’m glad that we had the time together and that we could be of some help. We’re both here, anytime.
I have met a number of bloggers in real life and we have formed friendships of varying levels. I think that one of your commenters said it right: that you get all of the introductions/background/life-philosophy from the blog themselves (depending on the type of blog of course), so when you meet, I find you jump straight into the friendship part, and filling in the details that are not shared on the blog. I have felt comfortable with every blogger I’ve met. With some, it’s like we’ve been friends for decades and even if we haven’t communicated in 3 months, we hop right back where we left off without problems or hurt feelings. It’s really cool.
Hugs and more hugs to you and Lou Lou š
I know, Derek reads more blogs than me even before this whole hoopla with my dad. He should be a professional blog consultant. I think people would pay big bucks for it.
PS Its actually called an italian meringue and you dont even need corn syrup http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/italian-meringue-recipe/index.html
I can totally relate to your love for Deb (who I have met) and Derek (who I will hopefully meet soon!). I think they are so caring and kind and genuine and I’m glad that I’ve been fortunate enough to meet them!
Thinking of you Eden!! Hope your dad is okay…
yay for deb and you hanging out. she emailed me letting me know she saw you. FUN. can’t wait to see you both. love you.
Ha – I’m the oddball (as usual!) because I dont even have a blog but as an avid reader of blogs, I most certainly feel like I “know” these bloggers! It’s so bizarre but I do feel like that. I guess it’s like reality tv, you get to know about so many details of their lives – just like this situation with your Dad – it breaks my heart and I find myself wondering throughout the day how he is doing or how Janetha’s mom is or any number of other issues going on with other bloggers. I worry about you, your health during this time just like I’d be concerned with a “real life” friend (which obviously I don’t have many of!). So very interesting, I never thought much of it but now that I think of it, it’s really strange for a lurker to feel “close” to people who have no clue that I exist!!! Gotta love the Internet š !!
I have so many blogger friends it’s a wonder I even bother trying to get uni friends anymore!
It’s funny– when I was a kid, my parents warned me the internet was full of rapists and scam-artists. That’s true…but I’m happy I discovered it’s also full of amazing people who I find I have so much in common with. If not for blogs, I would never have met you, Sophia, Jess, Janetha…gawd, the list goes on!
And please know I’m thinking about you! -hugs-
It’s all you Eden — you do pour yourself out there like an open book, and readers can’t help but become addicted to your blog and feel like they truly know you!
I’m a polish jew, and I have like NO family. Just my direct sisters. No cousins, no aunts, one crazy uncle I have met only twice. No grandparents anymore. I think I need to settle into a blog family!
Just to reiterate how friendly and open you are, to this day after at least 6 years of reading blogs, you are the only blogger I have ever “met” (even though it was brief and long ago, it was your idea to meet which is just so FRIENDLY!).
Once again, love your dad to pieces. Never seen anything like him.
You might as well be my family! Are you living in LA now?
Nope, northern california (Oakland). I miss LA!! Thank you for the reminder in todays post to live life to the fullest….
I used to pour my heart out on my blog, and I never do that in real life, so I felt like the people who read those posts knew me better than some of my friends. I did form strong connections that way, and it’s interesting because I’m actually not good at making friends. I’m shy and can be introverted, I guess sometimes I come off as snobby or boring, I don’t know. Anyway, my blog gives me a voice and a place to be myself, and that helps me feel closer to people. I haven’t met many bloggers/readers in real life yet though.
On day, we’ll meet! Come to LA!
I need to move to California so I can hang out with all you California folk. I have made some really good friends through blogging. Most I’ve met (if only briefly) and others I’ve never met. Some days it feels like a cruel joke that my favourite people live so far away!!! On the other hand, I share my blog on my Facebook for all my “real life” friends to read. It has helped make old friendships a lot richer because they get to know me a lot more. Ironically, I HATE talking about myself in real life. Even though I write about myself on the blog everyday.
I hope we get to hang out again! Last time was just a blip!
Yes, you must come here! I’ll offer free housing!
This is the best reason for blogging, Eden! I feel the same – there are a few people I know from blogging and feel very close to them, although I’ve never met them. (Since I’m quite far away from the rest of you, I’ve never attended a blogger meet-up so far.) And yes, I’d call them “family” – they’re of the same kind as I am. I don’t have a big family either (my family was dispersed a lot during WW2 when they were dispelled from their estate in north eastern Germany by the Russian invasion), and I grew up with only my parents and three grand parents, no siblings or cousins. I’ve also never had many friends because I’m not overly compatible with most people. Via blogging, though, I’ve made some great people that really give me the feeling there’s life out there. š
Oh, and I really appreciate the honesty of your blog! š
I feel very close to some bloggers and blog readers even some that I haven’t met. I feel like we share a special connection and we “get” each other.