“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: “What! You, too? Thought I was the only one”.  C.S Lewis

I find myself very excited about a conference I am attending next week in Nashville, TN (but no, I am not thrilled to be going back to the scene of the eight hour truck stop nightmare that was our Christmas trip).

I look forward to learning ways to become a better writer and a better blogger.  But, even more exciting than that I am excited to hang out with my friends. (some of whom I have never met in real life)

Through my journey of leaving corporate America, starting my own small business, becoming chronically ill (amongst a myriad of family issues I won’t discuss on my blog) and agreeing to follow God’s call on my life; I grew apart from several of my (in real life) friends.

Sometimes, when you are going through something painful in your life (or a series of painful somethings as the case may be) you withdraw from those you love (or am I the only one that does that?)

Sometimes, you withdraw- not out of a feeling of embarrassment or weakness- but out of a deep desire to protect them from the ugliness that surrounds the issue(s) you are dealing with.

While I am eternally grateful for the IRL friends who have stuck it out with me over the last few years I am equally grateful for the friendships I have made through the internet.

Even my hubby didn’t “get” my “twittering” (as he calls it) and blogging for quite a while.  He didn’t understand why I was dropping everything to hit my knees for a baby I didn’t know, why I was “dragging” him to meet “total strangers” (whom he ended up adoring as much as I do), why I “do things for free” volunteer my time and skills to people needing help.

He got a glimpse of the “why” when he accompanied me to Las Vegas in October.  He attended one cocktail party, sponsored by Sitscation, and met incredible women that are just like me.  We still laugh about the fact that we were at a party and every woman had some sort of electronic device to Twitter and Whrrl with.

Here is the point of my long winded (and wordy) post: In my own strength I’m not that good at friendships (or relationships in general).  But my Heavenly Father knows me better than I know myself.  So He opened the door (or browser window) to some incredible connections that I get to nurture (and unwrap)  in just a few days.

Join us for more Tuesdays Unwrapped here.