Happiest New Year!

Question

Happy New Year to my SpanishDict friends!!

I had the greatest pleasure of hosting Jen (formally known as Nametaken)

and her Mum, Janine, for the holidays this season. It took a huge leap of faith coming to America all the way from Lancaster, England, but it was well worth the trip!

Jen is as wonderful, lovely, and beautiful as we all imagined her to be. Her Mum is a spectacular lady with a great sense of humor.

Last week we went to lunch with Gary (Yeser007)

and his lovely wife, Sue. It was simply incredible to actually meet the people who we have considered special "Internet" friends for such a long time. There were enough hugs and smiles all around to last us all of 2012!

Then a few days ago we had an amazing dinner at Gary's home in New Hampshire with Jason

and his gorgeous wife, Shannon, and beautiful children, Hayden and Marisa. They brought a box of delicious Peanut Butter Balls that I'll never forget!

Sandy drove all the way from Rhode Island

and brought us each a unique gift from her state....coffee syrup!

That same night we got to connect on video with Ray and Ian!!!

Jen, her Mum and my Mom had such a good time sight-seeing, shopping, dining out, etc., that the week flew by. Last night all we wanted was to have a light supper and watch movies, so we stayed in on my Mom's cozy sofa to relax. We watched our favorite movie....

• Thank you for hosting the stars of the party!!! :) Beeeeeeesitos guapa - Jason7R Jan 1, 2012
• It was such a great time. I enjoyed meeting everyone so much. - sanlee Jan 1, 2012
• Wow...sounds amazing :o) - Izanoni1 Jan 1, 2012
• Nice thread, this is a great year. Thanks for sharing this with us Mariana :) - Amor_y_paz Jan 3, 2012
• thanks so much for sharing. - jazonadriano Jan 3, 2012

Answer 1

This is the motley crew (minus Jen, the leader, who is camera shy).

Sandy, Gary, Jason, Marianne

• The usual suspects are more beautiful in reality, Gary and Jason who are the two young darlings with you ? - ray76 Jan 2, 2012
• Very cool, thank you for sharing this Marianne. I love this picture, I would have loved to of been there. :) - Amor_y_paz Jan 3, 2012

Answer 2

I'm so glad I got to meet everyone this last week and am really looking forward to doing something like this again. Don't let the opportunity pass you by. If you know someone on the forum, who you talk to on a weekly basis, is coming to town, then you don't want to let them slip by. This was a meeting I will cherish for a lifetime.

• Gary you and your wife's hospitality was without bounds....you treated me and my family with the upmost respect. Thank you. :) - Jason7R Jan 1, 2012
• Estoy de acuerdo. - sanlee Jan 1, 2012

Answer 3

cool

Answer 4

I can not think of a better way in starting the new year out!! Marianne you hit the nail on the head....it was such a fantastic time and I enjoyed it soooooo much!! If I didn't have to work on Saturday I would've asked to come to Gloucester to visit again!! Gary, my friend, I want to echo what you said People, if you speak to one another on a weekly basis and have an opportunity to see them....D O I T!!! You will not regret it. Anyway, I can't wait for the next meeting and maybe we should look at getting a flight plan together...I have a couple of connections...

• Count me in mate nothing will stop me next time around. - ray76 Jan 2, 2012

Answer 5

Thank you for welcoming us into your home, Marianne and Gary. I'm so glad that I got the chance to come and meet you all .

It was a bit nerve-racking in customs when they were saying: "Who are you staying with"... "How did you meet them?"... "You met online?"... "What kind of forum?"... but I had an absolutely wonderful time in America and everyone was so kind and lovely! I'm sad to be back in England jeje.

I can only repeat what others have said: If you get the chance to meet up with someone you've met online and know well, do it!

• I have to say that was the funniest story. I'm sad that you are back in England, it was so hard to say goodbye that day. - Yeser007 Jan 3, 2012

Answer 6

I know the fireworks (and hugs ) will be remembered forever!!