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On Saturday, 6,000 women met in homes, churches, and coffee shops around the world for (in)courage’s 2nd annual (in)RL (in real life) meetup. An intimate group of five shared food, fellowship, and a photo booth at my home for a few sweet hours: a neighbor; one of my closest friends; and two women who took a chance and knocked at my door without knowing anyone inside.
Now we’re all friends.
An (in)RL hostess needs to prepare for a range in the number of guests. Some ladies register months in advance and we all know how schedules change.
Last year I wanted to have a photo booth, but didn’t manage to pull it off. I use my backdrop and lighting set up only once or twice a year, but this month I’ve taken senior cap and gown pictures for our homeschool group and photo booth pictures at an event for my kids, so the props are close at hand and familiar again.
These ladies are good sports. I’m almost positive they didn’t expect felt mustaches and beards and glasses and bow ties when they registered.
Mwahahaha!
Katie won the prize—DaySpring’s This Is the Day – Bird Cage Card Holder—for the longest drive.
And then dropped our jaws with a story about an in real life encounter with a birdie in a cage—yeow!
Alicia won the Lisa Leonard ((together)) Necklace for being the first to arrive and not knowing anyone here. One of my sons wanted to know how a guest that I didn’t know could come to my party and I explained the beauty of (in)RL: women coming together to build community.
We played “what’s in your purse?” in teams. Melissa’s purse contains one of everything and Donna didn’t carry one at all, she just walked across the street to my house.
I sent everyone home with a mug to remember this day we shared together, both old and new friends. I hope to stay connected to these women in the year ahead, better than I did with the ladies at my gathering last year.
It’s not always easy to coordinate schedules and plan events with a large guest list; I saw that this weekend. I hope my group wasn’t disappointed with the small crowd, but my friend said, “I think this was even better than last year,” as she left.
Yes, sometimes less is more.
I cannot tell you how thrilled I was to spend the day with you ladies! And as for “less is more”…it was perfect. And don’t think I didn’t chuckle when I opened my beautiful mug and saw a bunch of birds–ha!
Katie, we had a good laugh after you were gone when we realized that the mugs had birds, too. 🙂
Looks like you all had a great time! I was so blessed by my meet up!
Oh Dawn! I loved your photo booth, and the friendships that were cultivated by your small gathering. My friend and I hosted a meet-up too, and three ladies came. And the five of us had such a beautiful time. I think you are right, large groups can be full of energy and super fun, but sometimes less really can be more. Blessings to you!
You’re right, Jacque, I think five was really a good number!
I still get a sweet feeling inside, when I think about how Katie and Alicia came not knowing anybody! It was a great time….and compared to your gathering last year, Dawn, less WAS more. =) I feel like I interacted more this time, due to the smaller number and also due to the fact that I’m a bit more introverted in larger crowds. ?
Dawn… how fun! I loved all the smiles and for sure the friendships that were forged! God is the best!
The photo booth is the BEST idea. You are the rock star of props, girl.
I love your sons question and how you answered. So true – this i the heart behind it right where stranger/sisters become friends?
Love you sweet Dawn!