Saturday night I received an award from my alma mater, Northwest Christian University. It was a very humbling night. A few of my family members were able join me for the awards gala: my mother Sue, her partner Ron, Sister Becky, Ty’s mother, my very supportive husband Ty and our six year old daughter Elle. Maggie and I both know her limits, at this time in her four year old little life a gala event exceeds them. She was quite happy to have a special date with Papa!
With my sister, Elle and Mom... so proud all of their name tags are on the "right" side! Way to go ladies!
Enough about me and the event, there is another story I would like to share. It all starts with a funny, seven letter word: Twitter. When I first started tweeting (someday I will be able to say this with a straight face) I met a very talented fashion designer from Miami, Marielaxendra. She was one of the first people I didn’t know from my daily life to respond to one of my tweets. Yes, I remember the tweet, where I was and what I was wearing… my memory is like a steal trap. Lucky for me, not so lucky for my husband.
I digress…
Over the past year Marielaxendra and I have become friends. I can’t tell you how much I value her friendship as a mother and entrepreneur. Last week I sent out a tweet…
Then a tweet that came back from @Marielaxendra in my direct message box…
What? Surprised and a little nervous… had I known I was going to need to get out my tape measure, I wouldn’t have picked out and enjoyed all of the chocolates in Maggie’s Valentine’s Candy. Oy! Without sucking in, I took my measurements, and with one hand on my keyboard and the other covering my eyes I sent them back…direct message of course. Gulp!
I’ll spare you following tweets – sometimes doing business in 140 is not easy.
This arrived on my front doorstep on Friday…
Can you believe it?! What a doll. With the help of my darling and very honest friend, Lizzie, I decided on this one…
For the record, there is a reason the iPhone isn’t used for fashion photograpy. Hopefully with a few you will get the idea…
In the car driving to the gala…
and while Elle explored the sitting area of the Ladies room I thought I’d take a page from a few bloggers who blog about their daily wear this way…
Thank you Marielaxendra for your sweet gift and although you weren’t there in person…
your presence was the most gracious of presents, thank you!
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
I loved your post! I’ve been thinking maybe I was a little crazy for feeling like some of my twitter/blogger pals were actually becoming friends! So, you’re telling me I’m not an overly needy nutcase?
No, Sara, You’re not! I’m a believer, and now I think my real life friends (who’ve given me that nutcase look) might believe too! Thanks!
Oh what a wonderful way to share a Twitter friendship! I really enjoyed reading this post, as I always do. Congrats on your award! You looked stunning in your friend’s design.
Oh Mindy, I can so relate to this. I’ve met so many amazing people on Twitter. Many I get to see in person now and then, and some, like you, I can only hope to meet IRL (in real life
someday.
All of you look lovely and the dress is gorgeous-lucky you!
I love your twitteriffic story! Thanks for sharing.
O.M.G.! What I wouldn’t do for a Marialexandra original!!! (we’ve also connected on Twitter!)
That dress looks beautiful on you!
I must say, not only is she an amazing friend, but designer too. To be able to send me a sample dress and have it fit like a glove says something about her and her craft! She’s amazing!
Congratulations Mindy, on this well deserved honor. What an amazing evening for you! So nice to see you surrounded by all the lovely ladies in your life (excluding Maggie of course). I too, count myself so fortunate to have gotten to know Marialexandra, truly a woman of exquisite style, grace and an incredibly kind heart. I count myself blessed to have both you and Maria as two of my dearest Twitter friends. I also got the raised eyebrows this weekend when I mentioned my “Twitter friends” to my girlfriends. That’s fine,because I believe that no matter how your paths may cross, some people come into your life for a reason and I’m a much richer person for it.
Mindy,
So glad you went with that one, although you look great in both! Marielexandra, the dresses are gorgeous!!!! Love the bathroom shot, well done Mrs. L! But most of all, congratulations on your award– you deserve it!!!
Love you,
Lizzie
Congratulations on your award and what a beautiful dress! You’re an amazing person with fantastic family and friends!
I failed to include the part about how jealous I am that you got a designer dress made just for you by such a fabulous designer…yes, I am not to proud to admit my jealousy. All in good fun!
Its true, thanks to Twitter we have become great friends, planning on when we can finally meet in person.
Thank you Mindy, for allowing me to be a tiny part in such an important night for you. Congratulations on your award, a very well deserved one and a huge honor. I am incredibly happy & honored you loved the dress, you made it look great. Congratulations!
Elizabeth, you are so funny! I’m humbled by the opportunity and gift to be able to a designer dress sent by the designer… so I take it as a compliment! The dress was actually a sample from the dresses she sends to buyers in New York. It fit like she made it just for me; because that’s how good she is!
oh, i love it! okay, this is nearly the straw to a camel… the 3rd reason in one day that drives me to try twitter one good honest time. hmmm…
anyway, super sweet story, mind! and you ROCK that perfect black dress.
xo
p.s. mama and sis look amazing! and elle divine.