Local woman's blog leads to long distance friends

Some people make friends through social networks like Facebook, MySpace or even online forums, but one local woman found a sort of sisterhood through her blog.

Beverly Willis of Aiken made friends with three other women through her blog - or electronic journal - "It's a Golden Day," and met up with them in Nantucket, Mass., last month.

Jessica Ryan of Connecticut, writer of "The Entertaining House;" Gabrielle Rogers of Massachusetts, writer of "Tickled Pink Talk;" and Katherine Kingsmill of Connecticut, writer of "Pink, Green, and Southern" all have similar blogs and began following Willis' electronic journal, which she began almost a year ago. The four women use their blogs as outlets to talk about their faith and families, to share ideas for recipes and more.

"I think blogs are a good way to learn about people," Willis said. "There is no initial judgment."

Blogs led to e-mails and e-mails led to Twitter messages. After several months of corresponding, the four women decided that maybe they should get together and meet in person. Willis said she didn't think the trip would ever really come to fruition until she bought her plane ticket.

She said her husband, Mike Willis, was a little anxious about her leaving to meet the three strangers and she admitted to having a little apprehension, but once she saw their faces, she was filled with excitement.

"We squealed when we saw each other," Willis said, adding that it was like they were old friends.

The four women hopped on a ferry at Hyannis, Mass. and began their adventure in Nantucket.

For four days, the ladies walked on the beach, cooked, shopped, had drinks and enjoyed hours of conversation.

"We realized how much we had in common, but also our differences," Willis said.

The women traded gifts, including matching pink watches with rhinestones that are wrapped around with a quote by 17th-century poet Robert Southey: "No distance of place or lapse of time can lessen the friendship of those who are thoroughly persuaded of each other's worth." Willis brought glasses from the store her husband co-owns - Tea Garden Gifts - to share with the ladies.

"This trip kind of solidified that I wanted to get to know them better," Willis said.

Willis said that she is still feeling a high from her trip. She said that these days, it is hard to cultivate friendships with such a busy schedule.

Willis said that they are already planning another trip and, hopefully, all of their children, who are all around the same age, can meet.

"It's amazing that women can meet other women and develop deep friendships via technology," Willis said.

Contact Amy Banton at abanton@aikenstandard.com.