A Quiet Gesture...and a Not-So-Quiet (in) Real Life Invitation! {day twenty-three}

"Who in the world's at the door at this hour?" I wonder aloud when the doorbell rings at 7:30 p.m., because, after all, 7:30 is late for doorbell ringing at our house.

I'm in my pajamas, because it is 7:30 on a Friday night, so I crack the door just an inch or so and peer into the cold darkness. The Hyvee Florist van rumbles in the driveway, and on my doorstep stands the delivery lady, a box bursting pink and green in her hands.

I hold the glass door open wider, and that's when I smell the lush scent of spring wafting up from the cardboard box.

At the kitchen counter I take the card from its tiny envelope and read it aloud to Brad: "Love you, praying with you -- Deidra and Harry." Tears spring to my eyes, and I bury my nose deep into delicate petals spread open wide.

All week long the house breathes the essence of spring. When I push open the front door and stumble into the foyer, arms laden with backpacks and lunch bags, a grocery sack and the mail, the heady scent of hyacinth hits me, and my heart beats with hope.

: :

(in) Real Life...Nebraska-Style!

Some of you might know that I first met met Deidra online. Even though her house is less than two miles from mine, I came across her blog, Jumping Tandem first, and then, miraculously ran into her in a Lincoln coffee shop one cold winter night two years ago. We recognized each other from our tiny profile pictures on our blogs. I just love, love, love that we have become real-life friends, and am so grateful for the encouragement and support she lavishes on me, not just during this time of grief for my family, but always!

You know what's even more amazing? Deidra's not the only woman I've come to know and love in these two years I've been blogging. It's been the most beautiful and unexpected blessing -- that these online relationships and friendships are real and rich and fulfilling…just like in “real life.”

So…maybe some of you are familiar with the (in) courage community and have heard about the upcoming (in) Real Life meet-ups that are taking place in cities and towns around the nation and the world?

Well I have good news for you – Deidra, our Lincoln super cute blogger friend Erin (who is 39 weeks pregnant and still super cute!)  from Home with the Boys and I are hosting a real live meet-up right here in Lincoln, Nebraska – at my house, I might add! {maybe I should mention this to my husband sometime soon?! Ah, honey...are you reading this?!}

That’s right! And we are inviting YOU to attend. Come hang out with us and eat scones (because you know there will be scones if I’m hosting) on Saturday, April 28, at 11 a.m. here in Lincoln, Nebraska! [click here to see who's signed up for the Lincoln meet-up so far].

To R.S.V.P. to the Lincoln meet-up, please register here or click the button at the bottom of this post. Or, leave me a comment with your email (or send me an email directly: michellederusha1@gmail.com) if you need more details or want to come, and I will try to answer any questions you may have. By officially registering, not only will you get the chance to meet Deidra, Erin and me in person (tee hee hee!), and eat the best scones ever (homemade by my husband, who does not know he will be doing this yet!), you'll also get a really cool t-shirt from (in) courage and the opportunity to connect with super cool, fun, wonderful women in our community! {and we'll have some fab door prizes!}

Also, hop over to Deidra’s and Erin’s today, too – all three of us are writing about the Lincoln (in) RL meet-up. This is so fun! Come on, register...you totally know you want to! And stay tuned for more...