When my family dropped me off at the airporter bus, they didn't just drop and run. No, all three kids and the husband ran orbits around me and my luggage as we waited for the bus. All three kids plastered my lips with spitty kisses (my favorites!) and I finally boarded the bus to screams of I LOVE YOU MOMMY!

Mind you, they do not demonstrate their love like that most of the time. Perhaps the thought of a week without my gentle, loving care was driving them to it? Or was it an offensive strike, knowing that I would be in New York, land of Lollipops As Big As Their Heads? The jury is still out, although I believe they missed me quite a bit. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

I'm a BlogHer Veteran.

From 2005's magical conference where I was blondish and full of badass (with Donna, Jenifer, Jennifer, Meghan and Mindy):

(via http://www.flickr.com/photos/slolane/30424681/)

To 2006's weird hotel but awesome friends who made me laugh like a hyena (with Tracey, Kari, Tracy and Julie) :

(via Karianna)

To 2007's Chicago stop where I was all strapless dresses (and sitting on people) all the time (with Dawn, Jennifer, and Izzy):

To 2008's awesome event in San Francisco where I signed books and drank lots of fancy drinks (with the lovely Schmutzie):

To 2009's return to Chicago, where there was a whole lot of this (with Jenny On The Spot):

To this amazing, amazing year... 2010 in NYC, where I wore feathers in my hair and laughed until I was hoarse. Again. Like always. (with my homegirls Jenifer and Yvonne.)

The Sweet Potato Queens talk about revirgination. You know, you end a dating relationship, and you are magically re-virginated before your next relationship. For me, in a lot of ways, each BlogHer was like that. I had the time of your life, left invigorated, but by the next year, doubts and insecurities would start creeping back up - am I too fat? Will people like me? Will I say stupid things?

And then I'd arrive, meet up with a few friends, old or new, didn't matter, and I was right back in the saddle.

Wow, could I mix my metaphors any worse?

This year was something special, even with all the wonderful conferences we've had over the years. This year, most of the faces in the crowd were new to me, and there was a definite excitement and charge in the air. Attendees were passionate, the parties were so fun. Even the sponsor area was electric.

I've got lots of things to say about BlogHer, but suddenly find myself tongue-tied. Probably over the evolution of my hair and outfits. From blond to feather-head. What will I be wearing in San Diego? You'll just have to plan to meet me there to find out.