She was going to ring me, then I was going to ring her, then we both emailed each other about feeling nervous about the telephone, then we exchanged phone numbers, then we figured out the time difference between our two different countries, then she tried to ring me but she couldn’t get through, then I arranged to ring her and chickened out, then today, at noon, when it was her midnight but I could see she was still online, I did it!
I picked up the telephone to dial with my hands shaking a bit because she and I have not only become blogging buddies but have also exchanged some emails about our situations (she and I both have people we love who have Parkinson’s disease – her mother and my husband). Also I am a little phone phobic – not sure why.
Well, what a conversation! She sounded so comfortably cosy and made me laugh my head off. And her incredible accent – it was so, well, it was so different. Her voice was lower than I expected because, knowing she is tiny, I thought she’d have a higher voice. And she had such a wonderful smiling sort of voice despite what she is going through with her mother.
After the conversation I sat there stunned for a little while and then I actually had to go and have a little nap even though it’s the middle of the day! I think it was the shock of actually speaking to someone whose blog I read every day – almost like discovering that Santa Claus is real!
Yeeha!
jmgoyder 
You’re on the slippery slope now. Before long, it will be Christmas cards, gifts, and meetups with people from England and Canada to have a coffee in your favorite shop. Way back when, I think a lot of us had anxieties about letting our real identities be known, and certainly about actually meeting other bloggers. Now? Not so much. Not at all, as a matter of fact!
Yes – it is interesting isn’t it – how anonymity can make way for real friendship. That’s how I feel about you too!
It is real dear 🙂 I am so glad to hear this… I can imagine how exciting to hear the voice of a blogger friends… Have a nice day and sleep dear Julie, Thanks and Love, nia
Now I want to ring everybody – so funny! I have lost my phone phobia!
I am glad that after the hesitant moment it all turned out well. I hope that you are going to be a real help to each other.
Yes I was ridiculously nervous – she is a gem!
i have thought about calling but figured where u live must cost either or both of us a lot of money!
We didn’t talk for all that long so it probably wasn’t that expensive. Okay so what is your phone number? You better email it to me!
Oh my gosh – that’s so awesome! It’s amazing how online friendships can blossom. 🙂
When she first suggested it I was really nervous but it was fine!
I hate saying ‘she’ but thought it best to keep her identity private – perhaps I have watched too many spy movies!
or perhaps you are just the respectful person of high integrity I’ve suspected you to be all along! xo
what a very cool connection – I have a bit of a phone phobia too (I trace it back to working for Bell Canada for two summers when I was in university and people yelling at me about the company–but always with the statement–I know it is not your fault first–which really did not make it any better) so I understand what a step it was for you
I am so glad she and I finally heard each others’ voices. She is in a much more dire situation that I am in so it was also a bit teary for me.
Delightful, delicious and thoroughly wonderful.
So lovely to hear you made contact with a kindred spirit.
It was quite surreal (which has its own irony!)
What? Santa Claus isn’t real? 🙂
How cool is that! To connect. i’ve connected via phone with a few people I’ve met in the blogging world, actually met a few too — and it is awesome to meet the ‘real’ person after virtually getting to know them. Good for you! And how wonderful to connect with someone with the shared experience. I’m dancing for you here in cloudy Calgary.
Well it was her idea in the first place – she is such a wonderful person. Thanks Louise!
Is Santa not real…???? loved the post… really did… you have a way with words. that I can just picture you sitting by the phone after the disconnection with a smile on your face and a feeling of elation….
That picture in your mind is very accurate!
Told you, you have a way with words….
Ha!
Aww…it was absolutley wonderful, and a much needed giggle or two. I think I am actually blushing….. It was wonderful to get over the “phobia”, Thank you so much!!!! Hugs!
I wasn’t sure whether to mention in this post that it was YOU but thank you for tolerating my Aussie accent!
It was music to my ears…remember I was raised in England!
I am so grateful to you for the phone invitation!
You describe almost exactly how it was like when I first talked to my then-boyfriend, now-husband on the phone after we had been corresponding on email. How funny!
That is funny! It’s a bit nerve-wracking isn’t it! Your story sounds fascinating.
Wow Juilie — this is such a wonderful story! I have connected with people I’ve met on medical support forums… met them in person and made some life-friends. Have not yet spoken to anyone from my blog world… but you have proven — it’s entirely doable. There is also Skype — i know some like to communicate that way too… I used it when my daughter did her abroad study in argentina…. we may have to make a date sometime too 🙂 ~ and one day — I promise we take that beach walk together (and I’ll kiss your salty face too- promise) xxoo LOL!
It is camsgranny I have to thank for this – yes that walk on the beach will happen one way or another!
I’m glad you were able to take such a brave step. I have trouble making friends in person too, but blogging helps it all happen slowly and organically. The perfect way. Good for you!
Check out camsgranny’s blog and you will see why!
Good for you, both …. don’t understand why we shouldn’t be able to talk .. with each other. There is SKYPE today – the world is ours!!! I signed the contract for my apartment based on a couple of photos – sitting in Belfast – we need to take some step outside our box sometimes and from my experience they always come out good.
You are so right – the world is such an open place now!
That is fantastic! Good for you for pulling it off.
Again, it was camsgranny’s idea – she is a hoot!
How wonderful! One of my best pals I met blogging and we FaceTime every other week. We have become the dearest of friends and she is in Australia. Never hesitate to reach out and make the call or take it to the next step. Again, I am thrilled you did it!! Hugs, Margie
It was camsgranny’s idea!
I also have a phone phobic although it has gotten better as the years have passed but I still have moments when I have an attack when I have to make a phone call. So bloggers who are real who would have thought we are real people………..lol
I am getting more phoney by the day!
I completely understand your phone phobia. Surely there’s a word for that… Phonobia?
Phobia – brilliant!
How wonderful! I’ve met a couple of my blog friends and I’m glad to say they were as expected…. no surprises! It’s lovely that you connected and spoke with another blogger… Now let us know when you meet. 🙂
No chance of a meeting unfortunately – too many thousands of kms away!
Sadly… but you never know! 🙂
How cool and amazing to be able to connect with a blogging friend like that! I think I would have many butterflies in my stomach anticipating making the phone call. So awesome for you!
She is an awesome person!
How wonderful! It is too bad about the distance and not being able to meet up. I have several blogging friends I would love to meet some day, but the distance makes it impossible. Like you for instance! ~ Lynda
PS: The fabric is in, so let the sewing begin!!! 😉
Oh I am so excited about the apron!!!
Well, I just hope you are still excited when you get it…
😉
I will be sending you something too!
Oooooo…!!! I love surprises 😀
It’s nice to know you’re not alone, isn’t it? Way to go!
So exciting! And got rid of your phone phobia? The woman’s a miracle worker.
She is indeed!
Unruly…I am tickled to hear you braved the nerves and did it! I, like you, have managed the same with two! And it was just as you described. Wanted to even tell one of them ‘hey, your voice is all wrong, go get the one I hear in my head!” Yay for you…and yes, it is REAL!
xo
Haha!