Steph who writes at AllForTheLoveOfYou playfully described how she sometimes thinks of blogger friends as "imaginary friends." But I met Steph in person in Takoma Park... we both exist! We got beverages and talked and talked about teaching, writing, kids, activism, and on and on. Steph seemed exactly how I imagined her from her writing--beautiful, wise, funny, and very serene underneath it all.
I also met the Steph who sometimes describes herself in the "comments" as "Subway Steph" because she sends me virtual Subways sandwiches when I'm having a bad day. Steph made me a two-page list of things to do in D.C., so I'm going to have to come back! I was so grateful and moved by the attention Steph gave to this task--for instance, in recommending Busboys and Poets, Steph said it was activist-y and that sounded like the sort of thing my family might be into.
We met at Zaytinya the restaurant of Chef José Andrés (of World Central Kitchen) and later I took the fam to dinner at Yellow (also a Steph recommendation). People couldn't stop raving about the food. Big A said it was the best food he'd ever eaten. Steph is so young, and I'm a big believer in intergenerational friendships, so this whole interaction made me so happy. I love knowing people like her are looking out for the future of the world and people in need.
Pic: My selfie skills are sucky, but Steph and I were all smiles.
25 comments:
I am glad you were able to meet 2 readers/commenters, and what a coincidence that they were both named Steph!! DC is such a wonderful city with an overwhelming # of things to do so it's helpful to have the suggestions of a local who knows you well and has a sense for what you would enjoy!
MAYA WHAT KIND OF PHOTO POSTING IS THIS???? I love seeing Steph's face but WHY DID YOU CUT YOURSELF OUT OF THE PHOTO. THIS WILL NOT STAND!!!
(lol I'm so prickly because I wasn't with you, wahhhhh)
I’m with Nicole, that selfie is ridiculous though adorable and Steph’s face is lovely and full of joy, so that’s a redemption of sorts.
I love that you followed the recommendations and that they were such a hit. I love DC, it’s such a lovely city. So upset to hear this morning of shit-for-brains bringing in the National Guard. UGH.
Nice.
What a Steph-ulous time you had in DC! It's such an incredible city, and it sounds like you had a great time with both blogfriends and family. I'm so glad your husband recovered in time to go.
Yaaaay, this makes me so happy. My husband used to call my blog friends 'friends in the computer' when the kids were wondering who many of my Christmas cards were from. World Central Kitchen is awesome - I didn't know he had a restaurant, so cool. Totally agree about friendships with people of different ages - I love hanging out with my daughter's friends, they are so wise and yet so much less world-weary than my friends who are my own age.
MAYA!!!! It was a true delight to meet you in person! Lucky me!! You are so lovely and thoughtful and kind! ❤️
And it THRILLS ME that the restaurants, especially Yellow, were a hit!! Yay, yay! I love my city and it brings me great joy when others see its goodness (especially this we since you-know-who is now disparaging us).
I’m also glad that you were able to see Steph and go to the birthday party! It all worked out! Hooray!
-Subway Steph 🥰
Oh how fun! Whenever I meet a blogger in real life, I feel like I'm meeting a celebrity, ha ha. Both Stephs sound like interesting people- I'm going to check out Steph #1's blog.
Glad you are doing well!
It was lovely to meet you. I wish I'd known you wanted to go to Busboys and Poets, though. There's one just blocks from where we met. Maybe next time?
Don't worry. I will use one with more Maya in my next post.
Rick calls my blog buddies my imaginary friends! And yet, some of them are far more real and genuine and supportive than people I've known a dozen years!
D.C. was wonderful this time! And it always seems so gracious. And we had no sightings of the goon. But right now :/
Nicole, I have no selfie skills! There was another photo in which there is more face, but I have sunglasses on...
WHY WEREN'T YOU THERE?!?
J, Saturday was a full and happy day--but yes, the news right now is sliding towards fascism.
Thanks!
I'm grateful for all those things too, Nance. Especially since it was all touch and go for a couple of days.
"Friends in the computer" lol. Mine used to say "little friends" as thought there were tiny people who lived inside machines. Agree on intergenerational friendships!
Steph--I can totally see why your sis wants to eat every meal there :)!
You are just an amazing human and I've been writing you a long email in my head--it'll be on it's way to you soon XOXOX
Also, lucky, lucky ME!!! Gosh!
Right?! I can't wait to meet you!!! Someday!
Steph, I would LOVE that!!
Jeanie, nothing imaginary about true relationships however they originate, right?!
(And now I'm making "I dream of Jeanie" jokes in my head :) )
What an epic meet up. Please come to Madison!
I'd love to! Or a midwest/Chicago meetup?
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