The Optimism Project - Vote for me please!

**Note: This a post that I created last Fall that means a lot to me in terms of Optimism. My thanks to Tiffany & Cecily for hosting this week's forums on promoting Optimism! If you like my story, would you mind going here and voting for me? I would really appreciate it!

Once upon a time, there was a girl named Angie. Angie had spent a lifetime feeling like she could never find her niche in life. She had encountered some great friends along this bumpy road and had one friend in particular that she could always count on. And this friend introduced Angie to blogging. Angie will be forever indebted to her for this and many other reasons.

Through blogging, Angie met some other great women, who were scattered all over the world. They shared experiences, trials, achievements and heartbreaks together. And for a moment, Angie got very excited. Was it possible that such a place existed where she could be herself and others would appreciate that and want to be her friend?

Another amazing thing was how blogging brought Angie & an old friend back together. And Angie wondered how she let years pass without spending more time with this amazing and hilarious gal.

One Saturday morning, Angie traveled to a large metropolis with her fellow "in real life" blogger friend, so they could meet an online blogger friend for lunch. It all seemed innocent enough, until Angie & her friend arrived.

Angie thought that this...

and this, would be some of the highlights of the outing. (Editors note: Chocolate cake is almost always the highlight of any gathering that I attend)

But, no one could prepare Angie for the thrill of getting to meet a woman of amazing strength...

And a woman who sees the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow...

And a lady whose spirit is as beautiful as her smile...

And she had this lady to thank for putting the gathering together. Another friend that she can now call an IRL friend. Someone that she knows is a true friend.

And Angie soon realized that her hobby had now become much more than that. It had become her niche. Her vehicle to finding the circle of friends in life that she needed...deserved...desired. The circle of friends who accept her and love her for who she is.

And to those ladies, I say THANK YOU!

Love,

Angie

P.S. Next time, we're going to have to secure a larger venue, because we all know there are MANY more ladies that we want to have join us. And yes, I mean you. Mwah!