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Meet & Greets and DH Friends by groomerdb at 6/7/2010 10:48:55 AM We all sit at the computer posting in the Forums and Threads. But how many of us really go out and meet the people we post to?? This past weekend I attended a Meet & Greet in Halifax Pa. (Check out the posts and pics on Pa. Chat) Which is one of many I have attended. It is wonderful to see friends I have met previously but it is also great to meet new people too! We all have a great time. When the time comes for the fun to end and we have to go home, there are tears. But with those tears are smiles too because we know we will see each other again hopefully at the next Meet. Meet & Greets are a great and safe way to meet the people you post to on DH. Its a way to get out from behind your computer screen and see the real people out there. The people who have attended Meets before try to make the new people feel welcome. We watch out for them and introduce them and include them. They come as strangers and leave as new family members! Almost all of the people we meet stay in touch, help each other out, and are the best support system I have ever seen when things are not going right! So if you see an event posted, take that baby step and check it out! Don't go to a Meet & Greet to hook up, but go to make new friends. You just might meet the partner your searching for, I have and so have a few of my friends. But the thing we all have in common was that we met as friends at a Meet & Greet! To those of you who spent time with me this past weekend.... it was wonderful seeing you and and spending time with you! I can't wait till the next one! For those of you reading this and weren't there good luck in your search and I hope to see you at one sometime!

Comments
nance416	6/7/2010 11:42:42 AM Oh groomer, this is great and with so much honesty that only an experienced person who attends these events and can express. I remember my first one. I was scared to death and had no idea what to expect. Even though I was a bit standoffish, I was welcomed. And now, giggle, I am right in there welcoming the newbys, helping them to meet others, getting them involved in conversations and so on. And like you said, when you leave there are tears and even some regrets that the weekend ended all too soon. But there is also a sense of pride/security/desires, knowing that you will meet again and you will no longer the stranger but now part of the family. HUGS GF
irishlady855	6/7/2010 1:57:41 PM Groomer very well send. I love this post and yes, you are right they come as strangers and leave as friends..
gidge1955	6/7/2010 3:37:35 PM I am glad you all had a geat time. I am hoping to eventually get to one of the next ones. I agree going somewhere by yourself is a little scary at times but after reading this I think it would be a wonderful step in my life.
forever824	6/7/2010 4:20:28 PM When is the next one???? I heard a rumor it was in early August! I'm there
mowboss54	6/7/2010 5:16:27 PM Using the excuse that you dont know anyone is not a good way to put it off. When I went to my first one I didnt know one soul. I had been reading about the last one they had in June of last year. I decided I wanted to go and had no reservations about going by myself. I even had to go buy camping equipment so I could go and havent looked back since. I have made so many great friends by phone or emails but I got to meet them at this last meet and greet. The one thing I have noticed with previous campers is that the first hug you get and give is a little strained because you dont know the people. This last one the hugs were harder and more caring. You get to feel comfortable with these people and you give it your all. All I can say is keep those meet and greets coming and all those wonderful hugs.
chek1678	6/7/2010 6:55:21 PM Well the old goat is back home and here I sit again reading the posts and looking at the pictures. I don't need the pictures to remember every smiling face, the feel of every hugs nor the hand shake of warmth of another person you've just met. The weekend goes much to fast when you are with such great folks and as the day ends, when they leave, there is such an empty feeling, no more smiles, no more stories being told, no more tears of joy but in my book of memories of the past weekend....the pages are full. I feel very blessed at the meeting of each and every person and the ties of friendship of previous and new folks, ones that I will hold deep in this old goat's soul. It's so true, you miss out on all these feelings when you don't come to and even like this and really, there should not be a fear of meeting anyone like this. Fear will only be your own down fall to happiness and friendship.......Hugs dear lady!!!!
chek1678	6/7/2010 6:58:39 PM Well the old goat is back home and here I sit again reading the posts and looking at the pictures. I don't need the pictures to remember every smiling face, the feel of every hug nor the hand shake of warmth of another person you've just met. The weekend goes much to fast when you are with such great folks and as the day ends, when they leave, there is such an empty feeling, no more smiles, no more stories being told, no more tears of joy but in my book of memories of the past weekend....the pages are full. I feel very blessed at the meeting of each and every person and the ties of friendship of previous and new folks, ones that I will hold deep in this old goat's soul. It's so true, you miss out on all these feelings when you don't come to and event like this and really, there should not be a fear of meeting anyone like this. Fear will only be your own down fall to happiness and friendship.......Hugs dear lady!!!!
chek1678	6/7/2010 7:01:08 PM OOPS....LOL...no edit...so I guess you just have to read it twice...LOL
groomerdb	6/8/2010 3:29:08 AM Chek you are so right about the memories, and its so nice when we go to the next meet and hear all the stories of the previous one we attended. Thank you again for making more memories to add to that scrapbook of life! Many Many Many hugs back my friend!
letusing	6/8/2010 11:38:31 AM Hay honey I just went camping on the MN site we had a blast im still laughing and there was nothing like our camping trips Q&A's we all talked about the things that seemed important at that time everyone shared there hopes,dreams,loss'es I was the only person of color but everyone treated me with the utmost respect that's how carry myself I love people I teach children with disabled children in witch i was a disabled child so I love my job I have big heart this one was my second camping trip w/ MN try it you leave a diffrent person thats what they tell me Bev you to wonderfull my reputation proceeds me one stong and sweet women! Someone asked me what im smoking nothing heck when I laugh I just cannot stop it sure kept everyone else Laughing if Im around you will expirence rapid heart beat,gettyness,sillness what can I say!aka;Letusing Bev
sone24	6/9/2010 4:04:35 PM gidge1955 you are so right i myself is afraid to go by myself to one of these but if you want to meet all these nice people than its worth it , but myself i wish there was someone closer to me that we could go together though. i would love to meet all these people though. it would so nice to finally meet everyone you talk to onhere in person. everyone.
georgereborn	6/10/2010 10:18:46 AM I will get to one of the PA Meet and Greets one of these days.... I Swear
gidge1955	6/11/2010 4:09:43 AM Sene I am going to the one in Bath in September. Only for the one day Saturday) but if you want we might be able to figure out something. I was not able to get the 3 days off but heck an all day saturday will work for me. You are not that far from me.