Tall Pipi

Going on a date with DH after a huge weekend hanging out with some of the most amazing, inspiring and creative women I have ever met, and he asks, "So what did you actually do?"

Hmmm...how to answer that? I think my new friend Sammy said it pretty well..."It was like a big blanket- warm, inviting and inclusive. I arrived emotionally empty and left emotionally full."

It's been such a tough few months for me and I really was unsure how I would cope in a big group, meeting new people etc etc. But there was totally nothing to worry about and, yes, I did come away filled to the brim.

So, what did we do? We learned, we loved, we laughed, we inspired, we hugged, we shared, we listened, we snapped a gazillion pics, we ate, we drank, we gave, we cried, we created, we connected.

I can't remember the last time I felt so loved upon. I can't quite believe that, although many of us had never met each other before, it felt like old friends meeting up again. I can't now imagine my life without these awesome ladies in it. I can't help but be inspired and moved by each woman I met, hearing their journey's, sharing experiences.

We came together for a shared experience of blogging and left with a huge appreciation of how blogging allows us to connect and be real with each other, and ourselves. Women's stories accepted for what they are, comments like "yeah, I know how you feel", and "I've been there" help a heart to heal, a vessel to fill, a realisation that we are not alone, no-one is 'normal', and a hope that there is a light, things do get better.

There are so so many ladies to thank and acknowledge and they know who they are, but for me it was also about the collective. That collective group that made it such a worthwhile weekend to give time to. Kudos to you all, ladies, and Auckland...BRING IT!