This isn’t necessarily a post fully about the most awesome date I got to take to a wedding, but it had inadvertently created for me a new perspective on how strong our community is at 20sb.net.
Only via blogging communities would I be able to simply post, “anyone interested in going to a wedding?” on this blog, and then a friend I had met in Chicago would fly from Minneapolis to Los Angeles for such an adventure. And really, the key bond here is friendship. It’s not anything lurid like most common sense might suggest if you take a step back and frame the situation: A girl, flying alone, to stay in a friend’s house, with whom she has had less than a week total physical contact, in the middle of the sprawling urban landscape of Los Angeles — that only takes guts on her part, but an amazing amount of trust for the both of us. 6 years ago, in the height of the popularity of MySpace, this is the opening of an internet horror story.
But not this time. Sure, it would take a lot of trust to pull this off, but here’s the thing: our little blogger network is inhabited by trustworthy people. People who would give me some awesome contacts and interesting situations out here in Los Angeles; people who would guide my drunken ass around the city of Chicago; people who would be part of the stories I made in my favorite urban landscape, New York City.
@doniree, wearing @nicopolitan’s glasses.
And here, people who are fantastic company on a very interesting weekend.
Some interesting personality traits I learned about Doni while she was here: She possesses the very rare talent for the comfortable silence. While we were gallivanting around the LA freeway system and as I explained the difference between the neighborhoods, there were little pockets of time where I forgot she wasn’t from here, and while I let her soak in Los Angeles she kind of fit with the scenery. I get the feeling that she’s the kind of person who, wherever she is, she belongs there.
Also, look how cute she is here to the right. Doni, it’s a good thing you don’t live here, because if you did, I just might have to make a move on you. I’m just sayin’.
But how was the wedding, you ask?
Well, Doni and I found the outside bar before the wedding festivities had started, so we started off the event with drinks in hand. We had also discovered that the coasters at this bar doubled as postcards, and I’m wondering if the postcard Doni sent ever got to its destination.
Neither Doni nor I had ever been to Jewish wedding, much less a Jewish wedding in a Japanese palace replica. So it was first really cool to hear Hebrew rites but it was even cooler to discover that the chuppah was actually constructed by the bride herself.
And then, there’s the part where you see your friends, who had fallen in love, tie the knot.
I should lead up to this with a brief story about my friend, the groom — at first I was worried about his new relationship because he had gone through some bad ones in the past. So I wasn’t sure he’d be able to handle this new relationship appropriately. But it’s after observing on the sidelines for a while that I did see little nuances that identified it was truly a good idea for them to get married. The way they look at each other, the way they talk about how they met and how they grew together, the way they hold hands. When I witnessed these things for myself, I identified this to them. These little things are what make a good relationship; when love is deep-seated in a couple’s involuntary reactions.
It was after I knew this that I was able to enjoy the wedding for what it was.
Of course, then there was eating and mingling and dancing as all weddings have, but every time Doni was introduced, our story was the coolest.
Q: “How do you guys know each other?”
A: “Oh, we’re from the internets.”
Well after the wedding, I answered this question yet again to the groom over an IM conversation. I explained to him how the relationships you can build from blogging in a community of bloggers leads you to establish some really great relationships and puts you in even more interesting situations. He was curious about if the network had newlyweds. As he had just gotten married, it would probably be a good idea to make friends with other married couples. You know, for advice and sharing stories and ultimately to get used to the whole situation.
And not long after, he decided that it might be a good idea to catalog his stories of being a newlywed — days he’s not going to want to forget. So he decided to start a blog and join our little network, too. Drop by and say hi to the couple!
And lastly, in more ways than one, score +1 for 20SB.
L’chaim!
Unfortunately, as the groom, I had to talk (briefly) with all 120ish guests at the wedding, so I did not get a good chance to get to know @doniree that well. But, the way you interacted with Doni, I would have thought you knew each other for years. You two acted as though you had been great friends (if not romantic partners) for a long, long time. So, I think you did your math wrong (which, if anybody else knows @nicopolitan IRL, isn't all the surprising). I'd wager that it's really a +2 for 20SB!
Unfortunately, as the groom, I had to talk (briefly) with all 120ish guests at the wedding, so I did not get a good chance to get to know @doniree that well. But, the way you interacted with Doni, I would have thought you knew each other for years. You two acted as though you had been great friends (if not romantic partners) for a long, long time. So, I think you did your math wrong (which, if anybody else knows @nicopolitan IRL, isn't all the surprising). I'd wager that it's really a +2 for 20SB!
something else that's fun? already knowing most of this story because i heard it over the phone the other night. i love our 20sb friendships. they're incredible.
something else that's fun? already knowing most of this story because i heard it over the phone the other night. i love our 20sb friendships. they're incredible.
Sounds like fun! :) I made a LOTT of friends through blogging and I cannot imagine how wonderfully it has changed my views. Sometimes I think I share more with my blog friends than I do with the ones I meet everyday.
So awesome! Way to go you guys!
Sounds like fun! :) I made a LOTT of friends through blogging and I cannot imagine how wonderfully it has changed my views. Sometimes I think I share more with my blog friends than I do with the ones I meet everyday.
So awesome! Way to go you guys!
ad novum loci ;)
that was truly an interesting and fantastic situation, and i can't even tell you how much fun i had. you were the best date and tour guide ever and i can't wait to come back and explore more.
congrats again to ev and bron :)
ad novum loci ;)
that was truly an interesting and fantastic situation, and i can't even tell you how much fun i had. you were the best date and tour guide ever and i can't wait to come back and explore more.
congrats again to ev and bron :)
I went and said hi! :)
This is pretty fantastic, and it sounds like you had loads of fun!
I went and said hi! :)
This is pretty fantastic, and it sounds like you had loads of fun!
wow nico, i love this. 20SB has changed so many of our lives and we're all so lucky to have been brought together by the internets! i'm so glad you both had a great time. :)
wow nico, i love this. 20SB has changed so many of our lives and we're all so lucky to have been brought together by the internets! i'm so glad you both had a great time. :)
Love this. Love Doni and love you.
Love this. Love Doni and love you.
doniree is really very cute. i love this story, because it is 100% nicopolitan, which is 100% awesome. now comes the part where i admit to being jealous of aforementioned cute doniree. ;)
doniree is really very cute. i love this story, because it is 100% nicopolitan, which is 100% awesome. now comes the part where i admit to being jealous of aforementioned cute doniree. ;)
aw yay for a fun wedding day and a fabulous wedding date! :)
aw yay for a fun wedding day and a fabulous wedding date! :)
yes, 20sb is kind of awesome. i'm so happy to have discovered it! everyone on there is great!
yes, 20sb is kind of awesome. i'm so happy to have discovered it! everyone on there is great!
Why isn't there a link to your blog laurenmodery? I'd love to scope you out!
Why isn't there a link to your blog laurenmodery? I'd love to scope you out!
Ok, now you are just way too sweet. :)
Ok, now you are just way too sweet. :)
Hey Doniree! I think it's because I don't know how Disquis works! Hahaha! My blog is at http://www.hipstecrite.blogspot.com. My blog is about my adventures in Hollywood, my tastes in pop culture, and other random stuff. Thanks for you interest!
Hey Doniree! I think it's because I don't know how Disquis works! Hahaha! My blog is at http://www.hipstecrite.blogspot.com. My blog is about my adventures in Hollywood, my tastes in pop culture, and other random stuff. Thanks for you interest!
I can vouch for the quality of her blog, I'm already a fan.
I can vouch for the quality of her blog, I'm already a fan.
Awww… thanks Nicopolitan. The feeling is mutual.
Awww… thanks Nicopolitan. The feeling is mutual.
I think I just fell in love with you based on your blog title and subsequent
tagline.
Seriously.
Swoon.
I think I just fell in love with you based on your blog title and subsequent
tagline.
Seriously.
Swoon.
I think I just fell in love with you based on your blog title and subsequent
tagline.
Seriously.
Swoon.
I think I just fell in love with you based on your blog title and subsequent
tagline.
Seriously.
Swoon.
I think I just fell in love with you based on your blog title and subsequent
tagline.
Seriously.
Swoon.
I think I just fell in love with you based on your blog title and subsequent
tagline.
Seriously.
Swoon.
I think I just fell in love with you based on your blog title and subsequent
tagline.
Seriously.
Swoon.
I think I just fell in love with you based on your blog title and subsequent
tagline.
Seriously.
Swoon.
I think I just fell in love with you based on your blog title and subsequent
tagline.
Seriously.
Swoon.
I think I just fell in love with you based on your blog title and subsequent
tagline.
Seriously.
Swoon.
[...] up to Sauk Rapids for Steph’s bridal shower. I went back to LA a couple of weeks later to attend a wedding with Nico, and balanced out my bi-coastal travels with my first ever trip to New York [...]