Jet-setting and Surprises

So I have great group of ladies in San Diego who I have come to know over the years.

(Awkward moment: “So how do you guys know each other?”   Hmmmm… “Well, we are friends who met on in the internet…”)

Years ago, when Swim Bike Mom was a baby blog with about 200 readers, I hopped a plane out to San Diego to meet a few of my long-distance “friends” who I met through blog.  Was kind of crazy, really.  The Expert was like, “So let me get this straight… you are flying across the country …to meet some friends… who you have never met… who read your blog?”

I had looked at him.  “Yes.”

And I went back in January of 2011 – and it turned out to be one of the most pivotal points of my life.  Swim Bike Mom was just a baby blog then. I had an amazing hike with my life coach friend, Carrie. I went to an amazing spin class taught by my friend, Mickey. Then had a super fun night out with ladies in the Gas Lamp District–one conversation which went something like this:

Me:  “So I want to eventually write a book.”

Susan: “Get your ass in gear and write the damn book.”

Me: “Okay.”

[And eleven months later, Triathlon for the Every Woman was published.]

So, one of my friends I met on that trip was Robyn.  And she and I connected right away.  We were supposed to do NOLA 70.3 together in March that same year … (but I broke my foot in February)… so the Expert and I trekked out there anyway and cheered her on.

Robyn’s husband, Eric, and the Expert met for the first time in NOLA.  You know, it’s tough to find “couple” friends where the husbands and wives both like each other.

Well, Robyn and I already loved each other.

THE WAY WE WERE:

But we were not prepared for the “Bro-mance” that was the Expert and Eric. The dudes were like Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon.

We had a great trip in NOLA back in 2011— one of my favorite nights of my life was hanging with Eric and Robyn after the race… we ate dinner, drank and laughed for five hours—laughed like I can’t remember EVER laughing.

So, of course, Robyn and I kept in touch, and through her, I became even closer with several of the San Diego gals.

Robyn’s 40th birthday was coming up, and Fiona, one of my newer friends, decided that we should surprise Robyn—by me flying in for her party.

Me back to San Diego??  Yes please.  It’s my happy place?  And to see my San Diego sistahs!?!?  Yes!

So the plan was orchestrated… and I did not post a single Instagram, Tweet or Facebook status about my trip (which killed me, by the way…)  —-and Saturday morning, we surprised Robyn at Starbucks.

I was sitting inside and Susan said, “Hey Robyn – that girl looks just like Meredith.”

Here’s the video link…. cuteness all around.

Robyn’s Surprise

So I totally “ruined” Robyn’s plans for the day —and it was wonderful.  We went to Rubio’s for the best fish tacos ever—then to get our hair did for the party.

I was so happy to see my girl, to meet new friends that I had only known through the computer…

It’s truly wonderful to have soul sisters like these ladies. I love you all, and I am so thankful to have you in my life.

Oh, and by the way… Expert?  Eric brought these for you.

A super shout out to my dear husband, the Expert, for holding down the Georgia fort for the weekend…  Thank you for letting me take adventures… and allowing me to grow… and have fun too 🙂

Happy new week friends… hope you have a great one!