When A Blog Friend Walks Into Your Home...and Into Your Heart

So it happened. After months of planning and dreaming and texting and hoping, Tara and I finally met. She drove hours and hours on a Friday afternoon and finally walked into our home. I cannot even tell you how surreal it was to see her standing in our kitchen. It was the first time she and I had met in person, but I knew instantly our souls were long lost friends. She belonged in our house. She just did.

It was apparent from the minute she walked in with that familiar, sweet smile on her face that she is as kind and genuine and sweet in person as she appears on her blog. It wasn't awkward or weird or anything. It was just a friend, hanging with us for the weekend.

We didn't do much. I wanted to be real. And do what we would usually do. Which is not much. We sat and talked for hours that first night. My family fell in love with her, just as I knew they would. Saturday morning we girls went to breakfast and then to a craft show before returning home to rest on the couch and talk some more.

Saturday evening the whole family went to Mass and then out to dinner. We returned home to snuggle on the sofa and talk and talk some more. Sunday came way too quickly, and we had brunch before she had to say goodbye and return to her own sweet family so far away.

Although it sounds as if we didn't do much, I wanted just that for her. I wanted her to come and curl up on the couch and drink tea. I wanted her to have a cozy, relaxing weekend here in our house in the country. And I hope and pray she did.

I cannot thank Tara enough for driving so far to meet me and my family. I cannot thank her enough for her friendship. Over two years ago, I left a comment on a very beautiful blog. Friday night, a friend walked into my home. And into my heart.