You Mean She's Real?

{photo credit Lahleyoo}

I had an amazing opportunity a few Sunday's ago. The Silicon Valley Mom's Group hosted a Brands and Bloggers round-table and mixer. We had a very informative and helpful discussion on how bands and bloggers could work together and then we got to hangout, drink, eat, and get to know the brands and the other bloggers. While from a blogging for business aspect this was amazing, insightful and informative. For me, this was amazing for more than just the information received, the brand contacts made or the swag. it was about the people.

When I told my son the next day that I had meet Miss Lori he looked at me with wide eyes and said, "You mean she's REAL?" That sums up my feelings too!

What was the first blog you read, the blog that introduced you to the concept and idea of "mommy" blogs? For me, it was Chicago Moms Blog. I had been frequenting a chat/discussion site for urban moms and I either read about it on there first or in the Trib, but it was brand new and it became the first blog I followed. I would check in regularly (at that time I had no idea what Rss or google reader was!). I would follow the links to peoples personal blogs. I started following some of their writers from there. I even tried my hand at my own blog.

Fast forward almost 5 years later. I have finally found my voice online. I have this little blog and it's growing and it's rewarding. I saw that SVMoms was looking for writers. I knew a friend who had recently started writing for them and I'm not going to lie, I was a little jealous. I decided to apply, what did I have to loose. Then I forgot about it. I was dealing with our tragedy and trying to get back into a routine and my phone rang. It was Jill Asher, one of the founders of SVMoms. I tried not to sound like an over excited super fan. I couldn't believe that a) they called! I was expecting an e-mail and b) they wanted me to write for them! I honestly could not contain my excitement I am sure I sounded like a total dork.

So for me that Sunday was a completely surreal experience. I was meeting the people who inspirited me to write. People who for years had just been someone behind a screen. I imagine this is what it would be like for many people to meet The Pioneer Women or Docce. I was trying to not seem like a giddy child in a candy store! I just wanted to take it all in. I couldn't believe I was in the same room with these amazing writers! You know what?

They're real. Real people. Moms just like me!

It was such a great experience, I only wish it was longer so I could talk to more people! There were so many people I missed talking to!

Oh and they brands? They were great too! I will be featuring them over the next several weeks in my Fab Friday Finds.

{really fuzzy camera phone photo, but see she's real!}

A very special thanks to MJ Tam and everyone from the SV Moms Group for setting up this amazing event! It was held at the Hard Rock Hotel, and as a former city mama exiled to suburbia it was so nice to be able to spend an evening in the city, dressed like an adult.

For the FTC: I was not asked, or compensated to write this post. I did receive gifts from the following companies at the event, but the above gushing was all my own.

Thank you to the sponsors: Chevy, Schlage, Yodeling Mamas, Army of Women, iGogreen, bitdefender, Stonyfield, Babies, 1800Baskets, the Oprah store, Easy Print Design, Cinnabon Cupcakes, Energizer, Powerade Play, Peapod, litl, Tide, ebay classifieds, Garrett popcorn, Busy Body book.