Monday, July 23, 2007

I've met my friend!

After knowing, really knowing Dawn for more than one year, I met her on Friday!
I awoke before the alarm went off and was ready in turbo speed. We agreed that I would pick her up at the corner of 8th Street and Marquette, downtown Minneapolis. Dawn had just spent 45 minutes catching up with a childhood school friend she had last seen 45 years before!

Thankfully, in a phone converation the day before, Dawn had the forethought to mention what she would be wearing. Although the photo did not capture any people, downtown Minneapolis at 9:00 a.m. on any given day is filled with pedestrians! I was so thankful to see her cute, red-cropped pants as she stood looking for my car. From the first hello, there was not a quiet moment!

Because every visitor to Minnesota really must see the Mall of America, our first stop was Bloomington. We arrived without incidence...which is truly amazing, because I was so excited about actually being in the car with this "soul sister" that I barely remembered the way there! Traveling down Interstate 494 will never be the same again! Our visit to the MOA was a simple but profound trip. We caught up as we walked the hallways of this amazing facility. Still, no matter the size of this Mall, it could never surpass the scope of my thankfulness I felt as I was spending a few hours with my friend.

Were your ears ringing? Well, let me just say, we had so much fun reviewing the blessings, the laughter, and the love of friendship you have each brought into our lives!!!! In fact, don't be surprised if you receive an invitation to our first annual blogging reunion! We really have to meet for real....IRL....as Dawn so casually references! For someone who was resistant to blogging just a little over a year ago, she knows the lingo!
I hope that Dawn's photo's turned out better than mine....my camera was acting up and the flash would not cooperate. Still, we tried to capture this historical moment. While it was still early in the morning, the amusement park in the center of the Mall was busy with the sounds of the rollercoaster, flume, and merry-go-round. As we walked around just one loop of the MOA, we happened upon this. This one's for you Kristen! Looks like there was going to be a midnight release of Harry Potter's final quest!

As we walked, we moved with ease through so many topics. Blogging, friendships, church and family. This trip to Minnesota was like returning to her roots; she had met childhood school friends, had visited with relatives, and was going to Monticello ("Monti" as Dawn calls it) to visit the town that her Grandparents raised their children in. Traveling with her parents and sisiter (whom I met!), must have afforded many conversations and memories.

We left the MOA and I was excited to show Dawn "my neck of the woods!" I knew that 4 1/2 hours would fly by, yet, I so wanted to take her to one of my favorite restaurants on Lake Minnetonka. Summers are short in Minnesota, and we have to grab each and every opportunity to enjoy the warm weather! So it was off to Sunset's in Wayzata.
It ocurred to me as we sat on the outside patio and enjoyed our Salads (oh--they were so much better than that sounds!), that it was like I had known Dawn my whole life. She is just like she seems on her blog! She is such a lady of grace and love. She is the 'keeper of stories' and mesmerizes as she shares how God has blessed her! That should come as no surprise to any regular reader of her blog. We spoke of so many of you blogging friends--in fact, although we know your real names, we were careful to use only your blog names in public! As she shared the joy of her three grandchildren, those nearby must have wondered what kind of names her grandchildren have! Carebear, Feisty and Anakin!?!? :)

Then, it was off on yet, another road trip--traveling just 30 minutes north to Monticello. Originally, I didn't think I could meet Dawn's family because I had an appointment back home at 2:00 p.m. On our way to Monticello, my appointment was unexpectedly cancelled, and I was able to wait just a bit for Dawn's sister, Mom and cousin to return from an errand. As we awaited their arrival, we talked with her Dad. Oh how I wish I had taken a photo of this vibrant "young" man! The thing I remember the most about him, well there are two things.....but to the laugh! I have been known to sit on the edge of "drama," but let me honestly share....when this man laughed out loud, it was as if the joy of the Lord was being released! I don't know him beyond the 45 minutes in that room, but each and every time he laughed, it was like a giggle....from God! What a joy!

Secondly, if Dawn is the keeper of stories, this man is the author of all tales! What a great memory....made only more special by the fond feelings that unfolded as he shared. Soon, Dawn's mother, sister and cousin arrived, and we had a few moments to meet and greet. As I left the apartment that day, I was full to overflowing with lasting memories of joy!

Phew! Thanks for sticking with me through this abbreviated tale of our meeting! Yes, I know, I know, it's a long post....still, there is so much more I could have offered. I will wrap this up by simply saying....meeting a blogging friend is so worth it! What a blessing! What a joy! What fun! I am so thankful for this opportunity.....I have spent just a few hours with a cherished friend...and I now know the face of someone who has prayed me through more than just a few moments of need! Isn't God good!

Grab the next opportunity you have to meet a blogging friend. Make it happen! And when your email invitation arrives to say 'we're comin' to your town'...prepare to say YES! :) Meeting blogging friends is a very good thing!

18 comments:

C. H. Green said...

Sista Cala and I have been discussing how we could make it up to Minnesota. One of her blogging buddies, you may know, Godzheart, is up there as well. A reunion would be fun!

Diane Viere said...

"Be [my] guest! Be [my] guest!
Put our service to the test
Tie your napkin 'round your neck, cherie
And [I'll] provide the rest...."

Now you've got me singing!

I would love to arrange a reunion should you and your sister make your way to Minneapolis! Just give me the word (bird)....and I'll start planning!

"Be my guest! Be my guest!"......

la la la-la-la-la-la!

Diane

Heather Smith said...

Yay for you! MIRLING is so awesome! Totally a blessing! I must say that I'm jealous of Dawn that she got to meet you, and jealous of you that you got to meet her! Oh well, I know that we'll all meet one day, one way or another!! Thanks for your comment on my blog btw!

Linda said...

Your joy just pours out of this post Diane. I'm so glad you had this time with Dawn. I knew it was going to be wonderful. The little restaurant looks like the perfect place to sit and visit.
Thanks so much for sharing your time together with us.

Kristen said...

Awwww....thanks for thinking of me with the picture of the H.P. release party. ;-) Fortunately, for me, my mom had pre-ordered it for me on Amazon (I don't do credit cards)so I didn't have to go wait in any lines...not that I would have had to...in visiting Target the next day I saw no less than a thousand copies all over the store. Oh, well. Something exciting about seeing it arrive in my mailbox with the cover of the box saying, "Warning Muggles: Do not deliver or open until July 21!" LOL!

I'm so happy you two got to meet. Sounds like you had a great time. And double bonus that you got to meet my fabulous grandpa. He is an amazing man, and you couldn't be more right about his laugh...one of my favorite things about him....that and the ever-present smell of Old Spice cologne. :-)

My mom didn't tell you my kids' real names?! If you want to know, email me, I'll tell you. I think I can trust you. :-)

I hope to be able to be priveledged to meet you someday soon. I can't wait to see my mom this afternoon and hear more about her adventures.

Diane@Diane's Place said...

Oh, I'm so glad this meeting was all you expected it to be and more, Diane. I've met a few of my blogging friends and as you say, it was a joy. :-)

Have a great week, although I know you're still in the clouds from meeting Dawn. ;D

Love and hugs,

Diane

Susan said...

What a fun time filled with joy. It rings loud and clear from this post. I look forward to the day when I shall meet a blog friend.
Susan

Karuna said...

Hi Diane, I had visited yesterday by way of Sista Cala. She told me of your plans...you sure had a lot of fun... wow.

All smiles after reading ur post.

God Bless.

Dawn said...

I'm homr!! Good trip all over the place. What a fun day we had, but WAY too short!!

I think my dad has a bit of a abetter feeling about blogging now, since he met you IRL!

Thanks for absolutely everything. You are the best. I hope I can start catching up tonight.

Come out here now!! Soon!!

Dawn said...

One more thing - I knew we could find out all that scoop on the MOA on line, though we couldn't find it there at the site. Weird!

Nadine said...

It sounds like a great time. Anytime you are in my neck of the woods, I would love to meet you in person. You do feel like you know people from reading their stories. What fun to meet one in person.

Profbaugh said...

Oh wow!! What a wonderful opportunity. So glad it turned out well for both of you.

~Cheryl

Barb said...

I'm so happy you and Dawn got to meet each other, Diane. I know the two of you have formed a great friendship in the last year. And the photos are great. I clicked on them and they became really big so I could see the happy smiles on both your faces. What a great thing this meeting was. Thank you for sharing it with all of us.

Lisa said...

Wow!! What a neat experience! God is soooooooooo good!

Even though we all have disheartening and outright devastating events in our lives, we are able to enjoy friendship and love and joy and so much more!

I'm not able to travel since I have so much on my plate now, but when the kids are grown and on their own...I am looking forward to many retreats.

It's amazing the support that one person can give, isn't it?

May God bless your walk, and keep enjoying the many great things that God has given you.

Take care!

Susannah said...

I would love to meet my blog friends IRL! I'm thrilled you had the opportunity to do that--and then to blog about it. :~)

Tammy said...

First of all, I wanted to thank you so very, very much for your sweet words of encouragement on my post. They blessed me more than I can say!

How wonderful that you and Dawn got to meet! She is also a blogging friend of mine, and I am tickled for both of you!

I know what you mean about what you said, "After knowing, really Dawn for than one year, I met her!"
I feel the same way about knowing so many of my friends through blogging and hope to one day meet some face to face.

I will definitely be back to visit you more often...what a sweet woman of God you are, I can tell already!

Blessings!

groovyoldlady said...

What a bubbly and joy-filled post!

You know what's really cool? Even if we can't all meet in Minnesota or maine or Niagra Falls, most of us WILL meet someday before the Throne!

sharon brobst said...

Diane it is wonderful to spend time with an old friend! Came here by way of Dawn...wonderful sight!
Blessings...