Why I wanted to go ... part I.

A huge part of why I wanted to go to this exceptional event was to meet some of the people that I absolutely idolize. I adore. I love and want to be them, or at the very least their BFFs.

Do I sound like a stalker yet? I'm not, I promise.

If you haven't had a chance to read my friend Fadra's post about why "you" (or I) should attend a blog conference, have at it. It's over here at Social Dialect, and as you'll see, yours truly was one of the interviewees.

I answered her questions on why I wanted to attend, why I started blogging, and who I couldn't wait to meet. Again, that stalking aspect of my personality. Or so you would think.

I so totally wanted to meet Katherine Stone, of Postpartum Progress. And yet, the so non-stalkerish side of me had me see her like 3-4 times before I approached, introduced myself and asked if I could give her a hug.
If you want to know anything about PPD in the blogging world you need to know who Katherine is. If you don't - you must. MUST. Last year she won the Type A Conference bloganthropy award. This weekend she tweeted the definition of bloganthropy and what they do: "@bloganthropy honors bloggers using social media to do good/make positive change" ...amazing, no?

I found a wonderful tweet quoting her from one of the attendees that I want to share as it strikes me as so important: "Bloggers are successful because they work their asses off." - @postpartumprogr

It's so true. But awesome that she stated it so matter-of-factly. She's such a sweetheart. So real and so nice and so down to earth. And my GAWD, she is beautiful. Seriously. She has totally magnificent (ehem, and red) really long hair. I even got a picture with her. Wanna see?

I'm grateful for the connection I have felt with Katherine and the various women and stories she shares with us, the way that she reminds us all that we're not just permitted-but supposed to talk about PPD. It's not taboo. It's real. It's okay and important to discuss it, to raise awareness and support one another, whether we're past the experience personally, whether we know someone who is suffering, or whether we - ourselves - are in the thick of it, she reminds us how important it is to talk about it. To spread the word. To remind women everywhere that they are not alone.

One of the most touching, real and raw things I have ever found off of Postpartum Progress is the Surviving and Thriving Mothers Photo Album. It nearly brings me to tears [happy ones] every time I see it. Go look. Take your time. And if you're among the many who belongs in these pages, email Katherine and she'll get you in there. I did.

And so, I say thank you to Type A Conference for making one of my bloggy connection hopes come true! And thank you, Katherine, for rocking it all and being as amazing and approachable as you are. It was great to meet you and I hope to see you again in real life 'round the bloggy world!

Type A Conference Recap Post #1 can be found here!

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