I loved reading all of your comments about blogger meet-ups. I would love to be one of the few of you who had the chance to go to different blogger events and meet quite a few friendly faces. And I have to say, I love the idea of an Atlanta blogger meetup. We need to start planning that! I wouldn't mind organizing it for sometime in the next couple of months, if anyone who would be interested in going can email me ideas or suggestions on where to meet, etc. Lastly, those of you who haven't met someone yet, I'm sure you will soon. And thankfully we have the blogs to connect even across many, many miles of distance. 🙂

This brings me to today's post. Don't you just love when the reality of something far exceeds your expectations? That is what this blog is becoming for me. I first started this blog as a place to get my thoughts out on the numerous things that run through my mind. I had no expectations except to write and express myself since it is something I have always loved to do...and also to keep Peter from going crazy having to listen to all of my ramblings in detail over and over and over again. There is something about writing that brings clarity, perspective, and a release.

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In January of this year I began posting regularly, and more than just my sporadic posts on my competition prep diet + workouts I had previously done. Since then, I have seen numerous benefits to the world of blogging and even my humble blog that is in the mix. It has far exceeded any expectation that I ever had when starting this thing out.

Without a doubt, the biggest blessing I have experienced is the relationships. Being able to connect with like minded people that I don't come into contact with often in my everyday life is amazing. I can share things here that I would never share elsewhere. You all know my deepest feelings of my relationship with my father, things only a handful of other people know about. You knew first that Peter & I were trying to conceive and the emotional battles that has brought me as well as the growth.  I can share my passion for random things like a new workout and know that you all will be just as nerdy  excited about it as I am. Being able to have so many virtual cheerleaders cheers me up every single day.

Meetup with Em

Meetup with Lindsey

Meetup with Mandy (who I met from the Oxygen forum & is now a best friend)

Meetup with 2 Other Awesome Ladies (no longer blog/journal)

And there are other things I never knew would come from blogging and pouring my heart out to anyone who stumbles across Faith, Fitness, & Fun. Things like helping people to change their lives for the better. Even in the last week, I have had a good handful of emails from people with such moving comments or questions reaching out for my support. I don't know why they choose to reach out to me, as I don't consider myself anything special, but I do know that I am thrilled to support anyone who needs it and help them to reach their full potential as the amazing women they are. From faith to fitness to emotional struggles to pregnancy and beyond, people are relating to me and I am proud to lift them up, in the same way they are lifting me up as well. I thrive on taking the time to reach out to them and give them the advice and care they are looking for. It blesses me more than anything.

Keep Each Other Strong

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Even better? I am learning a ton from your blogs as well! Amazing recipes, workout ideas, experiences on things like becoming a personal trainer, confidence boosters, etc, etc, etc. The list is never ending. I cannot rave enough about all that your blogs have taught me. Thank you for sharing all of your wonderful insights and helping me to grow and accomplish new things. Thank you!

learning through the computer & your blogs

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And lastly, something else that is beyond my expectations are the new goals I have. I want to share my Triple F Philosophy with as many people as I can. Knowing that the blog can be a platform to do so excites me to no end. I think how I would love to do things across the spectrum from big to small. Write a book, contribute articles to magazines, speak in my community or church about these topics I am passionate about, start up programs at local gyms for young girls and/or women to promote self respect and love, etc. The notion that my blog will just help me develop to possibly pursue these goals in the future astounds me.

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I know those ideas are lofty ones and I'm not assuming I will do any of them. I know my blog isn't anything spectacular or as well read as some others. BUT...Who knows where the future will take me. Who knows where this blog will take me. I have no set expectations, but I know the reality will be better than I could imagine. After all, it already is. And I have YOU to thank for that.

Today has been such a wonderful day! I went to church this morning and shared some great discussion with friends in our Sunday school class. Then, my good friend Angie showed up during service and I was so excited to see her. She is the one that just had her baby recently and I haven't seen her in awhile so it was great to see her today. I still can't wait to meet her daughter, who is still too little for visitors due to her early birth. Now, I am able to relax and not do anything this afternoon. Makenzie is napping and I have no pressing obligations to take care of. But even with all of those good things, what made my day was getting to have lunch with Em from HomecookedEm!

You all, Em was the sweetest, most genuine, and kind person. We connected in so many ways. I am so thankful that I had the chance to meet up with her. And I know this is the first of many future get togethers. I have to say that I feel this is a "God thing" how we were brought together. A little background - we graduated from the same high school but found each other through the blog, are both dealing with trying to conceive and our body's changing and the emotions that brings, are both devoted to our faith, have sisters we are close to, Georgia Tech grad (aka smart & loving but get their geek on) husbands, among other random things. I feel we were brought together for a purpose and I can already feel that purpose with how much it lifted me up having such an enjoyable lunch with someone I can relate to in so many ways. If you don't read her blog already, please do. She is amazing. And even if you can't make it to your blog, please think of her in your prayers or if you're sending positive vibes my way, send some her way too. We both can use them and the peace they bring.

So, our lunch was great. We wen to The Red Hen Cafe, which is a small family-owned eatery that mainly has delicious brunch items. Great minds think alike because we both were eying the same things. Egg white omelette plates or a sweet potato waffle?? Yes, please!!! Although their waffle maker was broken and they couldn't do the waffle, so we just both got the omelet dishes. Mine had egg whites, monterey jack, mushrooms, and spinach. Served with fruit, bacon, and toast.

It was definitely enough to satisfy. I ate all the toast and fruit, then had about 2/3 of the omelet and 1.5 pieces of the bacon. The omelet was very filling because of all the oil it was cooked with. Not the best omelet I've had for that reason, but I still liked it well enough.

And you all need to know just how kind a person Em is. She brought me a little present.

It was filled with yummy bars. Including the illusive PB&J Larabar that I have wanted to try but can never find. Along with a Lunabar, Lunabar Protein bars, a Clif bar, and a Kashi bar.

And that girl is going to make an excellent mom one day. She even included a book and teddy bear for Makenzie. She may already have that Celestial Seasonings bear, but that girl can never have enough stuffed animals.

Her kindness seriously touched my heart. Thank you for such a wonderful meet up, Em! I really cannot wait to see you again. It will have to be soon.

• What is the best part in your mind of blogger meetups? For me it is definitely bonding with someone who I know I share so much with.
• Are you nervous for blogger meetups? I never really am. I always feel like I know the person so well to begin with. It just feels natural.
• How many times have you gotten to meet other bloggers? I have met other bloggers (or people from the fitness forum I used to post on) quite a few times. I think I've met at least five. And there are so many more I would love to meet. I've gone to meet people when they have layovers in the Atlanta airport, in Orlando while my family is visiting in Florida, etc. So anyone in the South or that ever travels in the South that thinks a meet up would be doable let me know!
• What bloggers do you REALLY want to meet? I couldn't wait to meet Em. I also can't wait to meet Lisa one day since I have "known" her for so long and we have grown in many similar ways. There are too many I would love to meet though!