There was a moment this past weekend at The Blathering when I looked around the pool to the women surrounding me, the conversations and laughter punctuating the quiet of the resort, and I felt my soul sigh with contentment.
Sunsets by the water are good for the soul.
That sounds overwrought, I know, but the truth is that I desperately, desperately needed exactly what I got at the Blathering: a wonderful weekend, filled with wonderful people, where I was at ease and relaxed the whole time. I came back exhausted (I am too old to stay up until the wee smalls drinking 3 nights in a row), but utterly refreshed at the same time. And more importantly, I came back feeling a sense of connection with so many wonderful women that it makes me smile just to think about it. In fact, the only bad part of the entire time was having to say goodbye to everyone.
In a lot of ways, Charleston was a completely different beast than New Orleans was. Where New Orleans was loud, and chaotic, and busy, and go-go-go, Charleston was quiet, and meandering, and calm, and chill. Because of that, and because the group was smaller this year, the event was much more personal and allowed for way more connecting. In fact, I think I got some quality time with probably about 85-90% of the ladies, a significant increase over last year (though I took almost no pictures of people. Oops!).
The ONLY picture I took of me with someone else. Hi April!
Because of the laid back nature, there’s not much recapping for me to do. We ate a lot, drank a lot, talked a lot, laughed a lot. We went on a boat a few times, and saw a big ass bridge. We sat around the pool and ate pimento cheese and artichoke dip and chex mix. We closed down a couple of different bars, and scared a few different bartenders. We discussed books and sex and family and babies and blogging and makeup and work and stress and tv and more. We talked and laughed and talked and laughed and talked and laughed. And perhaps the biggest thing I can say is that I felt utterly at home all weekend long. Because I was with friends.
Yup. I found my people. And I can’t wait to see them next year.
Southern food is DELICIOUS
That’s a big ass bridge
I’m on a BOAT.
Amaretto Sours, like I’m back in college or something.
Light up cocktails? Yes please!
The whole weekend really was perfect. I want to do it again, like, immediately. I’m glad I got to talk to you for awhile!
Every single word of this. Yes yes yes.
I’d like to think the amaretto sour was my contribution to your weekend. 🙂
Ginger, this is a perfect recap. I am so glad we got to spend so much time together over the weekend! I had so much fun with you! XO
This is a lovely blog, thanks for posting, that southern food really does look incredible! 🙂
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