This weekend, I had the extreme pleasure of meeting with Susan Cooper of Finding Our Way Now. You might remember Susan, as I interviewed her a few months ago. When I found out that she was coming to my neighborhood and wanted to visit with me, I was thrilled! This was quite a treat, and extra special since Susan lives in California, and I live in Ohio. No small journey for Susan, and since she was coming to spend time with family, I felt honored that she would take some extra time out for me.
I visited with Susan on Saturday, and when I walked into the lobby, I immediately spotted her. It felt as though it was not the first time I was meeting her, as we have been involved with each other’s blogs for several months now.
We had arranged to start our meetup at her hotel, with a Google+ hangout with two of our other blogger friends, Cheryl of Geek Girl USA and Dan of Your Turn Our Turn. This was also a first for me, as I have never taken the time to add my video camera to my computer (on my to-do list now!). It was a pure delight to hang out with them! We talked about the desire for all of us to create ebooks on our respective subjects. We have decided to work together to make this happen, so you just might see an ebook from me in the near future! (Fingers crossed!)
After the Google+ hangout, Susan and I ate at my local Thai restaurant, sauntered through my favorite antique shop, and then I took her to our local wine shop. Susan writes wine reviews, so I thought this would be a perfect thing to do with her. There she taught me the proper way of wine tasting. I will never look at wine the same, as it helped me to taste the subtleties that each wine has to offer. I also video-taped her teaching wine tasting, and when she gets the video edited, I will certainly link to it for you.
In the meantime, I decided to share some pictures of our great adventure!
Funny sunglasses at the antique shop.
Vintage purses; Susan bought the black one in the front–it was too cute to pass up!
Local flower shop on the way to the wine shop
Susan, preparing to show me how to taste wine
Susan was right–the wine shop was a perfect background for a photo shoot!
I made Susan pose in front of the mannequin. 
I strongly encourage you to make it happen if you ever come close to an opportunity where you can meet with your online friends–make it happen! It really is so much fun. If you can’t do a face to face, then try to do it via Google+ or Skype. It really was very easy to do and it was so much fun. It makes your friends online seem so much more real.
Have you ever met with your online friends in person? If so, what was it like?
Have you ever done a Google+ hangout? Want to do a hangout with me? I’m game!!
Wow, Cheryl and I missed out on the best part – eating and drinking! It looks like you two had a great time – looking forward to our next meet up!
You did miss out! We had a great time. And I can’t wait for our next meetup either!
That’s so wonderful that you met up together! Looked like you had fun! Wish I could have been there too. xx
aww… I wish you had been there too!! We should do a google+ hangout!
You’re so cute, Bethany! Looks like it was tons of fun!!
While I have met a number of people from the internet (ah, the joys of dating..) none of them were blogging friends.
I think it would be awesome to hang out with blog buddies!
you and I are not that far from martha!
I’d be up for it!
Yeah, let me come up with something. I will email you and Martha soon.
I am such a slacker! We totally need to all hang out. We’re not exactly in super close proximity – Bethanny is probably in the middle? I would also like to actually meet some non creepy people I met off the Internet.
Like Jenny said- the joys of Internet dating. Lol.
Yeah, lets do it! I will be in touch!
It was an absolute blast. The antique shop was the coolest. I very much look forward to other meet up adventures in the future.
))
Thanks Susan–me too!!
Dan and I truly did miss out on almost all the fun. The Hangout was great. Looking forward to the next one!
Me too!! I’m thinking about writing exercisess for you.
What a great idea!Sounds like you had a fabulous time. It’s great that we support each other online, but to meet face to face is an entirely different connection. Can’t wait for the ebooks that come out of your meeting. I’ve just started editing the first draft of my current novel, and will def. be putting it into an ebook while also looking for an agent. Hopefully we can all share what we learn as we go.
Good to see you again Bethany – your site is looking great.
Thanks A.K.
We really did have a great time and it made our online relationship even better. I’ll be looking forward to your ebook too and good luck in finding an agent! I know that can’t be an easy process . . .
Looks like you both had a great time! Love Susan Cooper’s blog <3 … wish I could have been there with you both
I wish you could have too!!
How fun! What a great opportunity for the both of you. I’ve only ventured into Skyping territory once and the feeling of looking at one’s self while talking online would take some getting used to.
Yeah, I know what you mean. That’s why you just try to concentrate on the other person.
I envy you and Susan. Wonderful story and fabulous photos. Would love to meet some of our blogging buddies in person — but I think a G+ hangout is also a great idea for seeing the voice behind the face and comments.
Hi Jeannette,
yeah, we had a wonderful time and it was great to actually meet her in person and put the face and smile with her blog and commenting. The G+ hangout was also great–have you done one yet?
Hi Bethany: It really is cool to meet up with an online friend. As long as you have something in common, it’s easy to turn the virtual friendship into a real one.
I’m so glad you and Susan had a memory-making day of smiles.
Thanks Doreen. Susan and I had such a good time, I’m keeping my eye out for more blogger meetups.
If you are ever in the Columbus, Ohio area, let me know! And maybe bring some chocolate. 
(And I will show you our local chocolate shop)
Well hello I came on over from Susan’s blog just to have a look around because I am a nosy sod……….and like looking around other peoples places even better if they aren’t in that way they can’t say “hey what you doing here”…………lol I am also a friend of Cheryl of Geek Girl USA so really I just had to come and meet you myself………….
You are so funny! I’m glad you came and checked on me, as I’m also always on the lookout for other bloggers to snoop in on.
I don’t mind if you snoop–not at all. 
As far as I’m concerned, any friend of Cheryl’s and of Susan’s is a friend of mine.