When I was pregnant with F I found the bounty forums really handy. It was a great place to talk to lots of people who were in the same situation as I was. You could get reassurance on even the most neurotic of pregnancy thoughts there and the support was fantastic.
It has been 11 years since I joined the site and I have been lucky to make some wonderful friends in this time. Many of whom I have met in various odd situations. Firstly I met a stranger (Alison) on a train and headed down to the wedding of Sarah having never met either of them. I then bumped in to Becca at Butlins and spent a few days with each other and the children.
We also arranged a group meet up and then many years later they all made the journey to Rugby to attend my surprise 30th Birthday. It’s really lovely to spend time with them all and watch our children grow up. They have all just turned 10 so the teenage years are looming, but I have no doubt that we will be there to support each other through that as we have pregnancy, the terrible twos, starting school and everything in between.
I also used the (almost forgotten and now totally redundant) debates section. It was a formidable mix of trolls, normal people, feisty folk, overly opinionated people, the highly intelligent but mostly the downright hilarious. Again they were supportive and we’ve become friends and watched our children grow up, new babies being born and witnessed huge life changing moments over the years.
I have walked the German Market with Rach, Costa-ed with Claire and hosted Kirstie but this leaves lots still to meet. So when we booked Devon, I knew it was the perfect occasion to meet Mandy and Sooz.
Sooz, wise, wonderful Sooz. She was all I expected and more and we spent a lovely evening in the pub. Her son F and my son F disappeared to be 10 year olds together starting with a round of mini golf and ending with a quick game of pool. Sooz won the girls over with ease. And we were able to chat. It felt perfectly normal to be sat in her local pub (where everyone knew her name) having a drink and something to eat. She is fabulous and I see many a gin in our future.
Mandy and I have spent at least 6 years having numerous phone conversations that can quite often last until our bladders can no longer cope… For your info this is between 2 and 3 hours! When we met it wasn’t even in the slightest bit odd, it was just like walking in to a room to greet your best friend that you’ve not seen for a few weeks. Our 3 children and her 3 children soon figured each other out and went to play, F and little C were really quite taken with each other, possibly because F could rough play with a girl without fear of making them cry! And the girls buddied up with Big C and a couple of wood louse. This is huge seeing as S would normally hate to be that close to an insect. I loved how normal it felt and had it not of been for the weather and the need to drive home, I’d of stayed all day! I think as Mandy and Sooz have yet to meet each other that Gin will be on the cards for us all.
If like me you have friends who live in your phone, go and meet them! It might just be the best thing you do
