This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending Bloggy Boot Camp in Chicago. I was really excited to go but then when Friday afternoon came around, I was a little nervous about leaving the girls for the weekend. Granted, I was leaving them with their father, my husband of 12 years, and their grandparents but it’s been just the 3 of us 24/7 for the past year and a half. I’ve only left them over night once, for less than 24 hours. It was hard. This was harder.
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As I kissed their little faces and they hugged my neck, like it was the last time they’d ever see me, my heart began to break and my eyes began to fill with tears. We parted ways at the school. I drove in one direction. The Big Guy and my girls drove in the opposite. I’m not going to lie, it took everything in my being to not turn around.I drove slowly, my head spinning with things that I needed to call and tell my husband and I cried silently beneath my giant sunglasses. I called my husband to remind him to be patient and kind in my absence; to be understanding and extra attentive. I reminded him to make sure they ate fruits and vegetables with their meals ( I wouldn’t want them to develop a case of scurvy while I was gone, would I?). I reminded him to kiss them goodnight for me and tell them that I love them ( I wouldn’t want them to forget how very much they meant to me, would I?) I told him to make sure they did something fun together and to make sure that they didn’t miss me too much. ( Or was I afraid they would miss me too little?) My husband “yes, yes”d me and assured me that they would all be alive and well when I returned. I was satisfied…sorta. Until my 4 year old Skyped me late that night to watch her cry herself to sleep.Saddest.Thing.EVER!
Bloggy Boot Camp Here I Come
Saturday, I headed into the city. I was a little nervous because I wasn’t sure what to expect and it was my very first blogging conference. Almost immediately, I spotted a friendly face in Alexandra @GDRPEmpress who, by the way, is as kind and gracious in person as she is on Twitter. It’s not a persona, she is the real deal genuine article. We exchanged hugs and sighs of relief. She then introduced me to Tracy @Chimomwriter who is not only a talented writer, but is friendly, kind and felt like an old friend after only a few minutes of talking to her. The sessions were great. I found comfort in the validation of the choices that I have made thus far with my blog, which is always fabulous to hear. I was also given a lot to think about as to where I wanted my blog to go, what I wanted my brand to be and who I am as a blogger. All in all, it was a wonderful conference put on by the @SITSGirls. I would recommend it to anyone who blogs. It’s intimate, professional and fosters networking and sharing of ideas. I could feel the sisterhood in the support. It was amazing. It all culminated in great conversation, crazy photo booth pics and a delicious wine tasting sponsored by Mirassou. Can I just say I LOVE their Pinot Grigio.
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Bloggy Boot Camp Rocked
After all was said and done, I had left my girls with a heavy heart but thanks to Bloggy Boot Camp I had some much needed time to focus on me and I got to meet a lot of really wonderful, passionate women in the process. As I drove home on Sunday, I was in a hurry to hold my little girls in my arms. I made the three hour drive in about two and a half (Shhh, don’t tell my husband). I was greeted in the drive by two of the cutest little girls a Mommy could ever want ( in matching outfits, no less). As they screamed my name “MOMMY!!!” and ran to wrap their little arms around my neck and cover me in kisses, I knew the best part of going away was coming home.They led me into the house, where streamers and balloons were hung, a poster saying “Welgum Home MOME!”, my favorite dinner on the stove and a cake with a giant heart on it awaited me. The Big Guy gave me a kiss and although it was nice to have the quiet moments alone in Chicago, I wanted to marinate in the happy chaos that is my everyday.
Bloggy Boot Camp Chicago #BBCCHI
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14 comments
Love you, girl. I hadn’t been sure I wanted to attend another conference so soon after BlogHer, but SO GLAD I DID. I’m looking forward to more adventures.
Tracy,
You were certainly a highlight of the conference for me.I can’t believe how quickly I felt like we were old friends. You are awesome. I will be eternally in Alexandra’s debt for the introduction. I can’t wait til we get to hang out again!
I love the pics and I’m glad you had a great time. I can’t believe this was your first blog conference. I’m not surprised you made friends so quickly and easily … you’re a fab gal. Wish I could have been there! One day, we’ll cross paths my friend. One day!
Bruna,
Sweetie, when it happens…I am going to hug you…a real honest to goodness hug.None of this fake hug bullshit! Maybe BlogHer in NYC next August? That would be awesome!
It was so wonderful that the very first person I met, was you. Right away, right across from me.
Meant to be.
From the first tweet we shared, just meant to be.
You are a gem, and I’m so glad we were together. Thank you, for your kindness, and beginning things off on the right foot with that incredible, tight hug of yours.
I just love you.
All I can say, you sweet woman, is DITTO! And next time I see ya, I’m hugging you again!
I am so jealous you went… and happy for you… and all squishy and teary at your wonderful homecoming!
Also… you met two of my favorites from BlogHer- The Empress and ChiMom – so… pajama party at my house at some point.
It was awesome. I did however miss the hell out of my girls!
I know, they had nothing but amazing things to say about you but I knew that already.
They told me about some of the BlogHer behavior. I was more than a bit astounded.
Next year, I WILL be in NYC. Are you going? I really hope so. After all, you are one of
my bloggy besties so we def need to meet in person and hang out. Obviously, you know, that translates into being inseparable:)
P.S. Funny sidebar, Alexandra totally thought I was going to be a complete flake.She was pleasantly surprised that I was an educated,
professional adult. She was expecting a big red nose and a trike:) Silly girl, y’all know I only bring the red nose and trike out for special occasions. XO
I don’t know a single person who went this past weekend who did not have a good time! For me it was one of the best weekends ever.
The only downside was that I wasn’t able to connect & meet everyone!
I know. I didn’t get to socialize as much as I wanted and its so hard to recognize anyone because Im looking for avatars and blog titles:)LOL But the few I did meet and have the pleasure of speaking with were amazing women.
Your little girl wanted you to watch her cry herself to sleep?? Aww! I both want to cry and laugh at that. How heartbreaking!
I’m glad you had a good time. I think BBC was an amazing experience!
She didn’t want me to watch her cry herself to sleep but she wanted me to be there when she went to sleep. Just happened that she cried herself to sleep! LOL Poor baby. It was very heartbreaking. I almost drove home just to hug her.
Marinating in the happy chaos…I love that.
And I love that you had such a great time. I can’t wait to attend in Philly next year…and maybe Vegas? hmmm… 😉
Lucky you! I would love to have gone. And Tracy and Alexandra are two of my favourite people! So glad to hear you enjoyed it.