When I was in Strasburg, I had the excitement of meeting a xanga friend face to face. Do you remember this winter when I asked if any of you wanted to be penpals? Well, Jess was one of the first to ask for my address so we could write “the old fashioned way”. She is a sweet, Christian woman– married, with 3 little girls.
Anyway, since becoming penpals, I’ve read her blog and studied most of the pictures. Therefore, it was quite wonderful to see the pictures come to life that day when she drove half and hour to meet us at the Hershey Farm and Inn in Strasburg, PA. The kids and I were already outside looking at the animals when I turned and saw her walking toward us–so pretty–with a big gift basket for us, full of yummy baked goods and flowers.
I handed my camera to my “assistant photographer”–my 10 year old son, Jacob, so that Jess and I could walk and talk together.
August 10, 2007
“Yes’m old friends is always best,
‘less you can catch a new one
that’s fit to make an old one out of.”
Sarah Orne Jewett
Good to be Home 
Hi, I came to your site (yesterday in fact) from a link from HappyFeet99’s site. I just wanted to stop by and say hi. Those are some good pics. It sounds like you all had a great time.
What fun! Her little girls are adorable! The photo of the goat is just too cute! Love the shot of Grace too. That is a wonderful quote ~ hadn’t read it before!
Oh how sweet! Great photo’s! I love that camera!
What a perfect quote to match this post…but then you are good at that.
Sweet photos of a special day.
So, was it weird at all? I’ve imagined these interactions, and I’ve told Jo before that I worry that people wouldn’t like me as much in person as online! š I’ve had an internet friend for 9 years, and we’ve never met. We met in a chat room when I was in college. We became pretty good friends, but we live far apart. I’ve since married, and he has as well. Maybe someday I’ll make it up to New England and meet ALL of you!
So neat! I’ve been reading about a number of xanga people meeting up lately. Must be sorta like reading a book and then finally seeing the characters come to life in person? =)
What a sweet time you two had. I know you loved holding that baby. š
Ahhhh, I’m wishing I could’ve been there too! She is so pretty and her children…..adorable! Both of you are very pretty and have adorable children. What gorgeous pictures!!! I must say, your assistant photographer does an amazing job and had an excellent eye! Of course, he has had a superb teacher!!! :):)
Thank you for sharing all of these beautiful pictures and the memories of the time you had together!
Aw… yay! This post was too sweet! I am so happy that we got to meet… and I hope we’ll get to see each other again someday!!I’ll say it again… your kids are SO precious. So respectful. So adorable! Whatever I saw through your Xanga site was magnified 100 times… they show me how wonderful of a mother you are. You are an encouragement to me!!Thanks for the pictures… I love them all!!! The quote too!!
I like that quote very much. I do treasure my friends. When we moved far away, it was interesting to see who wanted to stay in touch and who kind of dropped away. “Blessed be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love…..”
I got the nerve up once to meet someone online.We have been married 6 years now. lol
What wonderful pictures!
That’s cool! I meet FOUR Xanga girls in one week! One from Germany (I’m going to the airport where she has a layover), one from my original hometown of Buffalo, and two from Canada (who are driving down to Buffalo to meet up!) I’m so cyked!
That’s really neat.
I am always touched by your posts.
What a wonderful time! It must have been very exciting to meet a xanga friend in “real life”. The pictures are great, and I love the quote!
Two lovely, and groovy ladies and their adorable little girls. This looks like a true gift from the Lord.
Very happy pictures! I’m glad you were able to meet a xanga friend. By the way, 45 hours and 5 minutes is an awful long drive, and that’s without stopping for sleep or meals. You’d arrive here exhausted and emaciated!! Maybe someday, but you’d have to promise to stop to eat ok? ; )
I am very sorry that I haven’t been to your site, and haven’t commented. Not lying here when I say trying to stay afloat. Not for pity, but husband in Middle East, kids exhausted adjusting, long drives to and from school each day, and trying to find a balance in church, volunteering, and keeping me 3 year old from going nuts without her bed bud (now in school). Forgive me, and thanks for checking in on my site. š
I meant keeping “my” not “me” and “best” not “bed.” Lol – good laugh. Sorry I goofed. Proof in pudding – we are tired.
NICE!! Your son is getting so good at taking pictures! That was the nicest thing–her coming with a basket of things for you!
Oh how FUN! Maybe one of these days we will take a road trip your way. I LOVE the picture of all of you walking, her girls are adorable.
How cool is that? I love meeting people in person that I “know” from online. (mostly message boards). Its fun to put the faces with the pictures isn’t it? Looks like you guys had a great time. Those little ones are just to precious. Hugs and blessingsMelody
I’d say your son is a pretty good ‘assistant photographer”! Those are some pretty good shots he took!
Well I must declare! You are both beauties Ma’am! Really, sincerely, you both are. Lovely lovely. The children are precious as well….great photography. ryc…Thank you., you are so very nice too…. definitely. : )
You both look like you were having great fun together! What precious, precious memories! Blessings, ~Amelia
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<TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width=”100%” background=”” height=250 UNSELECTABLE=”off”>How sweet Shanda, so happy you two were able to meet each other. What a treasured memory.
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I’d really love to be penpals….let me know if you would like just one more person (me!:) to be penpals with!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!