Florida is a magical place. The Ritz Carlton is even more magical. The most magic though, is found in my friends.
Writers, influencers, go-getters, travelers, drivers, down-right passionate people.
The last session I attended at Mom 2.0 2017 was small and intimate, and those of us in the room dug a little deep, while discussing what we want to write about. Afterward, I felt like I’d attended writing therapy, with Lisa and Nancy. They even sat it tall-back, tufted leather chairs. It was enlightening and needed (for me anyway). The cool thing was? My friends were in the room. Plus, I made a new one (Holla Zealous Mom!).
Another highlight of this conference? Endless champagne. What more could a woman want, really? (Okay, fine, cookies to go with it). Dove spoiled the heck out of us and I kinda liked it!
I did yoga first thing Friday morning with Kristin and Amanda. I drove a Kia Optima with Kristin too. That was fun. I “worked” by the pool (I actually did do some work), met Julia in person (YAY!!!), went to Universal with the TODAY Parenting Team, listened to some interesting stuff on their panel too. I also got gussied up for the Iris awards (thanks Dove for the ‘do – and more champagne), watched my amazing writer friend Amanda win (!!!) and met Billy (I mean Andrew Shue). I also met MK! And Rachel (she even slumber partied with us!). Talk about wonderful!
This conference is no joke, y’all.
By the time I left I felt happy. Yes, just happy. I was able to spend time with great friends and relax and rejuvenate some. I also left feeling like I want to read others’ blogs again. I haven’t been doing that much lately. There’s just not a lot of time anymore. But, as you can see, I linked to a bunch of them here, and so many of my friends are still writing and that is encouraging.
Our goals and ideas often get lost in the minutia of life and that is what has happened to me in the last several months. Life took over. And that is okay. But I still have goals. I still have many things I want to pursue and accomplish. These woman give me the inspiration to get going again and to keep going once I do. It is truly astounding what we can accomplish and become, both as both individuals and as a unit.
I found it fitting that on the plane on the way to Florida, I watched the movie Hidden Figures. There are three very inspiring women in that movie. I went from watching a movie about their lives to meeting up with some that I know in real life. We aren’t just hanging out on Facebook and making crafts for Pinterest. We are starting successful businesses and working for our families. We are making things happen and winning awards.
My writing and blogging has provided me with so many wonderful opportunities over the years and I am proud of the community it has helped me cultivate. And I am also proud to be among so many amazing women (and some men too!) that give me the motivation to succeed and follow my dreams.
Thank you Mom 2.0 for inspiring, rejuvenating and yes, for all the champagne. 😉
P.S. I have a piece of over at TODAY Parenting now – please give it a read. It’s about “Rise”ing above single parenting…
P.P.S. Did you hear I won a Voices of the Year award again this year? YAY!!! So exciting! Thank you, BlogHer!
You are fabulous. You were the perfect mix of protective and silly next to me and you kept me from falling apart from nerves.
I had so much fun spending time with you and I hope we can do it again next year! And in the comments between now and then, because LONG LIVE COMMENTS and COMMUNITY dag nab it.