This post is way over due.  Way over due.
I met Tracy from The Superhero and the Princess in real life (IRL) back in early February.

I was standing on my tip toes and Tracy was bending her knees!

Tracy and I met online shortly after Nate's dx in 2009.  Her son, the Superhero was dx at 18-months.  She had been where I was and was always there to encourage me when diabetes got me down.  We  connected through our common bond and became fast friends.  She took the time to chat with my by phone, answer texts and always had encouraging words for me as we were starting our pumping journey.  I feel like I've known her forever.

The funny thing is - - - I'd never actually met her before her whirlwind trip to Texas.  We hooked up for lunch in a small town about 90 miles away from our house.  I was so excited to meet Tracy and family ---- there was no nervousness or any apprehensions about meeting someone IRL that I had met online.  It felt like I was about to go to lunch with my best friend or my sister (I don't actually have a sister - just a stinky brother).

We got to the restaurant 1st and grabbed a table. As soon as Tracy and family pulled up I was out of  my seat and on my feet to give Tracy a big hug!  She's much taller than I thought she was - - - she was probably thinking ---- that Laura is a lot shorter than I thought she was!! 

We chatted throughout lunch which wasn't easy with 5 kids between us but again it just felt like we were eating with and chatting with close friends.   The thing that struck me as odd was that when I went to hug and chat with the Superhero and the Princess they were both super shy and kind of hid behind their mom.  Tracy and I were laughing because we feel like we know each others children so well but the fact is they've never even seen me before! I'm sure they were thinking ---- who's the CrAzY woman trying to hug me --- save me, Mom!!!

Isn't it funny how well we all know one another?  Yet, most of us have never met IRL. I've made some wonderful friends through the DOC. I feel so close to so many people that I otherwise would never have had the wonderful opportunity of knowing.

Before finding friends in the DOC I thought meeting people online was kind of creepy.  Please don't judge me - - - just hear me out!  The only thing I really knew about people meeting online was what I watched on Dateline (To Catch a Predator) - - - and that ain't the kind of meeting I wanted any part of!  I'd never been in a chat room, or on Twitter and I was just really starting to feel out Facebook and connect with people that I had at one time already known.  So, for me now to feel so close to people that I've never met IRL is quite the turn of events in my life.

Diabetes has given me several gifts one of which is friendship.  I have friends all over the WORLD that lift me up, understand my feelings and are holding my hand every step of the way.  What an amazing gift - right?

I've met some pretty amazing people IRL that I would have otherwise never crossed paths with if it were not for Nate's T1 dx.  Locally there are many - - - Joanne, Jessica, Heather and Becky just to name a few.   I live within 15 minutes of each of them (all different directions) but I don't know that our paths would have ever crossed without diabetes.  My life is so much better for knowing each of them and each of you!