Without a doubt the sweetest thing that happened to me this year on my birthday was reading this delightful post written by Engie in honour of my special day. (And a HUGE thank you to everyone who sent emails, texts and left blog comments wishing me a special day.)
Back to Engie’s post—friends, she even created CUSTOM GRAPHICS!!!
In answer to her question—asked in song to the tune of Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?—I celebrated my birthday in the southeastern part of Denmark (more specifically, the island of Møn).
Since then, we’ve made our way to London, England (via Norway) where this happened:
I MET NICOLE.
I repeat.
I MET NICOLE.
I look a bit dazed in this photo because we had been in three different countries by the time John and I met up with Nicole and her husband for an evening drink in London.
The magic of blogging friendships is hard to describe and truly incredible to experience. Our time together was far too short, but I’m overjoyed we managed to make this work (we overlapped in London for less than a day and only discovered we’d be there at the same time a few weeks before).
In a few minutes we’ll check out of our hotel in London and head to Wales. This is the final stretch for our 3.5-month-long adventure in Europe. Indy and I won’t leave the UK again (just three nights in Scotland); Belle and John have a quick jaunt to France planned.
I have about 8 bajillion pictures to sort through. I feel incredibly behind on blogging and have had a few internal debates about not writing about our adventures from the last two weeks because they have been jam-packed and I have so many details to share and it’s all a bit overwhelming. BUT, I want a complete record, so I will take time to go back and write up summaries… eventually.
Time to go catch a train. Thanks again to Engie for wondering where I am. I’m thrilled to be back in this space telling you all about it.
Your turn.
- How many bloggers have you met in person?? Meeting Nicole brings my tally up to 8 (but I’m meeting Rachel TODAY, so by the end of the day it will be 9).
- Where did you celebrate your last birthday?
Discover more from The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Glad have you back! Have r fun traveling and spending time with your adventures- the recaps can wait!
I have met zero bloggers in real life. Probably will keep it that way. However, if anyone ever has the urge to visit corn fields and railroads, Amtrak does go through my town.
My last birthday- at home, as usual. I teach, and my birthday occurs at the beginning of the school year, so always in town.
Enjoy your ramblings!
Hey, you never know. I think you live in the general vicinity of my sister, and I do have a new dream (after reading Birchie’s post) of taking a train trip!
How fun!!!!
Thanks! It feels good to be back. There is zero way I could have kept up with blogging during the last few weeks but my goodness I missed it.
Wow! Wow! Wow! You met Nicole in London! How wonderful! I haven’t met any bloggers in real life yet. I can’t believe your big European adventure is almost over. Time sure flies! I celebrated my last birthday at home, which was lovely. I’m glad you had a good birthday, and Engie’s post & graphics were great!
I met Nicole! In London! (And I met Suzanne in Paris!) It was so special to see her in person and she is every bit as lovely as charming as I knew she would be.
Online friendships can be such a valuable asset – so glad you were able to meet Nicole in real life and add another dimension to an already enriching relationship!
I support the completion of the record because I know how much you will cherish it in years to come, but I know everyone here has patience to wait for whatever timing works for you!
I’m so excited that you’re on the last let, selfishly, because it will be SO nice to have you back home, but also because it means that you’ve DONE all those plans you worked so hard to make!! That is such an accomplishment, my friend, and you should give yourself a major pat on the back!
There is definitely a huge sense of relief we’ve made it this far. Looking back the planning seems a bit overwhelming. How did we tackle it all? One bite at a time I suppose. And now the finish line is in sight. So many emotions about that, as you know, but the thought of seeing you brings nothing but a huge smile to my face.
Happy Belated Birthday!
Thanks! <3
GAH!!!!!! You met Nicole!!! That is a fun surprise. Funny that you had to go all the way to London to meet your fellow Canadian. And- I know. That birthday post Engie made. It was epic! I loved the graphics. She really outdid herself.
I’m sure it seems daunting to try and recap all the adventures you’ve had, but you know we’ll be happy to read them!
I always say it’s ironic the first blogger I met in person was Sophie… FROM AUSTRALIA. Literally the other side of the world. It was so fortunate we overlapped for one day and could make it work.
Engie’s post made me incredibly happy <3
I am so thrilled that you and Nicole got to meet up! And also quite envious! It’s crazy that your European adventure is coming to an end. Are you craving some normalcy/routines? I definitely would be as I am such a creature of habit!
I have met quite a few bloggers, but many of them no longer blog. Like of the 10 that attended my wedding, only 1’ish still blogs (Kyria, one other person sort of blogs but not consistently). My blogging life is sort of split into 2 parts – pre-kids and post kids – as a lot of the bloggers from pre-2018 no longer blog. But of the newer group of bloggers I now follow, I’ve met Birchie, Kae, SHU, Anne from WI, and Jenny (I hope I’m not forgetting anyone!!). I also met reader/commenter Sat. So in total, I would estimate that I’ve met about 20 bloggers total between my old gang and the newer group.
I’m craving routine and also… sad the adventure is almost over. Going back home feels like a mixed bag for a variety of reasons (being away from the neighbourhood has been such a relief, for one). But having solo time and seeing friends and getting back into a more settled routine will feel wonderful.
You are the queen of blog friends!!! I love that you had so many at your wedding.
You’re back!! Wow, I can’t believe you are almost at the end of this incredible adventure. Give yourself some time to absorb it and relax at home and then compile your stories.
How fun to meet up with Nicole!!
Happy belated birthday! My daughter is also born on May 28th. My birthday is June 1st and I spent it enjoying a wonderful dinner on my sunny deck with husband and daughter.
Enjoy the rest of your time, Elisabeth and safe travels home!
I’m back!!
You and your daughter can celebrate together! A wonderful dinner in the sunshine sounds perfect to me 🙂
Haha, I don’t envy your situation now and can relate- it’s so hard to catch up on all those blog posts especially when I know you did SO MUCH and also took 1 million photos! 😅 Oh well, just take your time and you’ll get to them eventually. At least all the pics really help to jog your memory of all the little details.
So exciting that you met Nicole! That looks so fun. I imagine you are having mixed feelings about returning home but I would definitely be craving some routine by this point too! Fortunately you should return to nice weather in Nova Scotia too which helps. How are the kids feeling about the return? I think mine would be dying to get home to their friends but this was such an epic adventure that it’s got to be sad to see it end! Fortunately you still have a bunch of fun left in the home stretch!
Yes, I have lots of pictures to help me remember everything!!!
Nicole was so sweet.
The kids are mostly excited to go home. Indy very excited, Belle is sad to leave Europe but very excited for camp. I have mixed feelings but it will be good to have routine again and I miss Joy and other friends very much, so it will be so good to see more familiar faces. Not living out of a suitcase will be nice, too. But I AM sad it’s coming to an end. It has been an epic adventure and I know this is likely the only time we’ll ever do something like this as a family, so there is a sense of finality to it all as well.
Yes! Good weather for sure back in Nova Scotia when we return. Summers are gorgeous there.
Wow, that is really amazing that you were able to meet up with Nicole and that you’re also meeting up with Rachel today! What a blessed year of blogger meetups you had! 🙂 Blogger friendships are the best! <3 Now I am a bit sad that we weren't able to also meet while I was in Europe, but we were just too far apart to make that happen there, I think. We'll do it another time, I hope!
Both Nicole and Rachel are every bit as wonderful IRL as I knew they would be. I’ve met so many people via my blog and it makes me so happy.
I’m bummed we weren’t able to coordinate when you were in Europe, but I feel confident it will happen at some point! Can’t wait <3
Happy belated birthday! Looking forward to reading all about your adventures!
I can imagine you were a bit frazzled, sounds like you did A LOT. But looks like you had a great time 😊
It was a lot and hectic and, also, I’m so glad we fit in all the things. We are very rich in memories and experiences at this point.
Excited to hear all about your travels, Elisabeth! And so cool to see you and Nicole in the same photo! I bet you had a blast.
She is AMAZING… as I knew she would be <3
how exciting to meet Nicole! and how quick time flies that you are heading home soon.
I met quite a few bloggers in my early days when I was living in the US. Since I moved out, I’ve met only two readers, one in manila and one in Australia. I wish I could meet more in coming years. I agree that blog world in the old fashion way is a special place, especially in today’s world.
This time has flown. Some days have been exhausting, but it feels unbelievable that we’re almost done this trip!!
Ahhhhhh!!!!! You got to meet Nicole!!! How exciting!!!
I bet there is a such a mix of feelings about concluding this adventure. I know you and your kiddos will carry the memories of this experience with you forever!
I MET NICOLE. Can you even????
Lots of emotions but also yes to the memories. It has truly been the trip of a lifetime <3
Happy Belated Birthday!! Enjoy the end of your travels and no pressure on updating, it will happen in time and we’re here for it 🙂
Thanks, friend <3
Yay! I’m glad you had an excellent birthday. Things can be so disorienting when you’re traveling, but it’s nice to have celebrations you’ll remember, too.
I will definitely remember this birthday, and really treasure your blog post.
As someone who has only recently discovered both of your blogs, this is like seeing celebrities meet and then fangirling over them both haha. How exciting for you to have met!!
And happy birthday!!
It’s great to see you posting again, and I hope you’ve been having the most incredible time.
I felt like I was meeting a celebrity. Nicole is definitely a GOAT in the blogging world and she was every bit as sweet and lovely in person as I knew she would be 🙂