Blog Land Love

Every once in a while, we get to be a part of something special. Sometimes, like in blog land, it is a sustained feeling in a community of people that truly amazes me. We found a place, on the internet, where people are mainly positive and supportive, where women are taking ownership of their lives and feelings, and where *knock on wood* the trolls have yet to come. Pretty neato!

Then blog land goes above and beyond, and I am again astounded. Here is the story:

We all watched the photography contest unfold over at The Thirty Something Bride, with all the crazy happenings, and then the sad, sad ending where our friends Sarah and Tony did not win and instead some....ok, nothing against the winners. Just me being biased!

But I was extremely biased. So much so that it surprised me. Why was I so sad about the outcome of a contest I was not even entered in with people who I have never even met? Because they deserved it. They really did. Read through their blog just a little bit and you'll see that they have some special going on; their story, their family, and Sarah's thoughtful writing all bring together this clear picture of people who truly deserved some wedding magic.

The contest may not have turned out how we hoped, but damned if we couldn't do something about it. I wrote a few e-mails, poked around, and sure enough a lot of people were also wanting to help. Not only that, but it turns out that Sarah and Tony also hired a wedding elf in Larissa of Larissa Cleveland Photography. After lots of e-mails flying around, a plan was hatched. Blog land was going to raise $500 for an additional hour to add to Sarah and Tony's photography package, and with that, Larissa would donate an additional hour of her time. Awesome!

I went to work, gathered up as many names/e-mails as I could, sent out some e-mails and started harassing kindly asking for money. It really didn't take much asking or harassing on my part at all. Blog land come through with style, and in little over a week we raised the $500 necessary! Go team!

So congratulations to Sarah and Tony - you have two additional hours on your photography package with Larissa! and congratulations blog land - you all just earned yourself some good karma!

Twenty seven people donated to this effort - some giving ten dollars, some giving fifty - and each little bit counted to getting us to our goal. Below is a list of all the lovely people (and their blog links) who contributed. (Well, almost all. One lovely lady declined to be named, stating that she would like the "nice fuzzy feeling without the recognition." I know who you are! and I recognize you!) I want to thank each and every one for contributing. I sent out some e-mails, but the generosity of the group is what got us to our goal! Many thanks go to (in random order):

• Robin and Collin of Hitchdied
• Lisa of Craftmylife
• Lyn of Another Damn Life
• Jo of Jo, Rooting
• Becca of A Los Angeles Love
• Katherine of A Jersey Hootenany Wedding
• Ms Bunny of Bunnies 'n' Beagles
• Angie of One Cat Per Person
• Kerry of Fancy Notion
• Tabitha of Ms Awesome
• Suzanne of Eyes Open, Feet First
• Bret of All Things Zilla
• Lizzie of Love Your Way
• Nikki of Ridiculously Ever After
• Mary of Marriageable
• Emma of Another Ring Coming
• Giovanna of Swoon
• Hollie of Thrifty in White
• Eden of A Timeless Affair
• Heather of Existing Between Reality and Dreams
• Nina of So Glad That You Exist
• Tamera of Verhext
• Davanie of A Paler Shade of White
• Louise of TruLu Couture 

We also can't forget Larissa and her contribution! Thank you for matching our contribution with a donated hour of your own! Thank you for being a wedding elf for a couple who deserves it!

To Sarah, Tony, Bean and Bug,
Keep with it because you must be doing something right. After following your story, a group of strangers came out of the woodwork to give you some wedding magic. We see that you have something special going on and want that to be celebrated as well as documented! We hope this gift of two additional hours goes toward keeping the memories of your wedding alive and well for many years.

Best Wishes,
Blog Land