Blogiversary

(picture taken a year ago, the same week that this blog was born.)

As you may recall, this isn't my first blog. I had one for four years that was lost in the Diary-X crash of 2006. I was so crushed by the loss that I thought I'd never blog again. I'm glad I was wrong.

If you'd told me when I started this that I'd still be blogging in a year, I'm not sure I would've believed you. If you'd told me that I would actually be "a blogger", and not just a person with a blog, I would've rolled my eyes. If you'd told me that I'd go to blogger meet-ups? I would've laughed. And if you'd told me that my relationships with people I'd met online would become as precious to me, if not more so, than the relationships I've developed in the real world? I would've cried.

But I'm proud of where the last year has taken me. I'm happy to be able to look back and have a chronicle of my life. I've made great friends through blogging. I've met amazing people as a result, both online and in real life.

I want to thank you all for being a part of my life. And while I couldn't possibly thank each and every one of you, there are many deserved thanks that I cannot ignore.

Thank you Amy, for reaching out to a stranger in a time of need.

Thank you Barry, for reading my blog from the beginning, and continuing to keep up with it even as you've forgotten your own.

Thank you Brian, for listening to me ramble for hours and hours in between the blog posts. And thank you for continuing to read all of them, even during the bad times.

Thank you C, for sharing such beautiful stories and large margaritas with me.

Thank you D, for organizing the meet-up that started the rest of my adventures in blogger-land.

Thank you Dan, for having a playful spirit. I love that you're willing to dance, wear pirate hats, and do origami to put smiles on other people's faces.

Thank you Fabulously Broke, for linking to my posts and sending tons of traffic my way.

Thank you Gary for all of your emailed support. It means a lot to me that you put so much thought into our correspondence.

Thank you Heidi, for always leaving such encouraging comments. You've given me some amazing compliments for my book.

Thank you Jenn, for being there for me when I really needed someone.

Thank you Jess, for designing a fantastic header for me.

Thank you Jessi, for telling stories about "rage girl" and making me feel braver.

Thank you Joy, for always putting me at ease. And for informing me of the stupid things I did while intoxicated. And also for being a total rock star at karaoke.

Thank you Julia for reminding me of myself at a younger age. I'm reliving life vicariously through you a little bit. I hope that you'll be able to continue blogging as you start college, because I always get excited to see new things from you show up on my Google Reader. (NOTE TO ALL: Check this chick out. She's seriously awesome.)

Thank you Katie, for recommending my blog on Blog Day, as well as on several other occasions. And also for always sharing awesome stuff on Google Reader.

Thank you Kendrick, for believing that I had potential as a blogger before I'd even nailed down a style.

Thank you Nico, for making me feel like everything I write is worth reading. You might very well be my biggest fan, and I can't tell you how encouraging it has been to read your comments.

Thank you Nilsa, for always cheering me on.

Thank you Pete, for making me feel safe and never judging me.

Thank you Rachel, for comforting and cheering me in a way that only moms can. And thank you for being the best commenter ever.

Thank you Renee, for telling me to join 20-Something Bloggers. Thank you for adding your voice to the blogging world and saying I inspired you to do so (which is one of the greatest compliments I have ever received). And thank you for sending me the yoga mat that I now spend time with on a daily basis.

Thank you Ricky, for allowing me to know you on such a deep level, and for being a friend to me when I really needed one.

Thank you Ailene and Ian for beginning blogs of your own and allowing me to think that I may have had something to do with it.

Thank you The Infernum Flame and ShadowJim for introducing me to glorious things like The Guild and Rock Band which have improved my life significantly.

Thank you Angie, Cheryl, Deutlich, Erin, Jamie, Jessi, K, Kayleigh, Maxie, Princess Pointful, Slaus, and Veronica, for entering my world and allowing me to see what fascinating and wonderful people you all are.

Thank you to all my readers, especially those of you who leave comments. Getting feedback on this blog makes me feel like I have some sort of purpose with it. At several times in the last year, my readers have been better friends to me than the people I've surrounded myself with in real life. Thank you for all the support, the advice, and the encouragement. You mean so much to me, and I don't even know most of you.


May every year get better.

~A~


P.S. If you want to get me a really great blogiversary present, I'd love a bit of delurking. Comments -- whether from strangers or from friends -- are always appreciated. Just say hello, and you'll make me smile. :)