When we first got engaged, I downloaded an app called The Knot. After a little while on that app, all of us brides jumped ship for Instagram because we could share photos of our wedding planning journey. At first, that's all it was; a place to share wedding ideas, vent about wedding woes, and show off all of our wedding goodies.
It quickly became a place for so much more.
Our IG family grew as more and more brides joined the app. And as silly as it may sound to some, we became just that... a family. One of them described it as having "online pen pals" and that's pretty accurate except we share pictures mostly. Ladies from all over the world. Some have met but most never will.
I have shared more with these women than I share with most people I know. It is a judge free zone. It is a place that we've shared marriages, pregnancies, babies, divorces, family troubles, personal triumphs, and heartache. I have "known" these women for 2+ years so you can imagine all we've shared. What was once just an app to bounce wedding ideas around is now a community that I am glad to be a part of.
I can see, how as an outsider, this might seem a little strange. How can someone share so much with strangers? But I know more about some of these women than I do about people I know "in real life." I think unless you've experienced it, it just sounds silly. Why would anyone want to confide in people you will probably never meet? I think that's just it. There's a sense of secrecy. No matter what you say, who will they tell? They only know as much or as little as you'd like them to know. It's so easy to release everything you're feeling knowing that at least one person in your feed can relate. It's nice to have an outlet. How do you become so comfortable with strangers you ask? The same way you started with people you do know; we all have common interests.
There have been many days where I have been like "Wow, these women are an awesome group!" But today I was especially proud to "know them." This week, one of the women lost her husband in a car accident. You can imagine the heartbreak. This woman, Sarah, and I do not follow each other on IG. But that's the great thing about these particular women. It doesn't matter if you "know" this IGer or you've only heard about their tragedy, these women rally. They rally like you've never seen before.
I woke up and just like every morning as I eat breakfast, I checked out my IG. My feed was filled with dozens of posts about Sarah. People wanted to do something. There were condolences, prayers, virtual hugs, and a fund. A fund was setup to help this perfect "stranger." In 21 hours, $3000+ has been raised to help Sarah with funeral costs and other expenses she may have while she deals with the loss of her husband. THIS is what good people can do. Good people can change the lives of deserving people, people who need help, people who have fallen on rough times.
THIS is why I love this community. These are just ordinary women - nurses, teachers, mothers, wives, planners, sales people, engineers - doing extraordinary things!
Today, send up prayers for Sarah. She needs them. How terrible to lose your husband, your best friend, your confidant, your future. They were still basically newlyweds, married less than 2 years. They had so much more to do with one another. And don't forget to send up prayers for each and every loving woman in our community. Their support is endless and God should hear about it.
This world needs more people like this. If you don't have a community like this, get one. Get one as fast as you can because you are missing out on a truly amazing experience!
I want you all to hug your loved ones tight. Tell them what they mean to you every chance you get. Life is too short to hold grudges. Enjoy every minute of your life. Tomorrow is not guaranteed.
You can read about Sarah's story here:
http://www.kpho.com/story/23059790/sedan-driver-dies-after-crash-that-kills-3-siblings
You can donate here:
http://www.gofundme.com/3usds0
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