The idea that people are actually sitting down and taking time out of their day to type out a well though out email is extremely flattering. I'm always shocked when I see a new email pop up in the ol' So@24 mailbox.
Most of the emails I receive are people asking me for advice. 99.9% come from the female community and they will tell me about a current dilemma they are having with a guy and ask me to weigh in with my opinion. I'm always happy to analyze the situation and share my two cents, but I can't help but chuckle to myself that these girls are trusting me with their romance dilemmas.
I'm tempted to respond with, "Have you READ my blog? Am I the person you really want to be going to for relationship advice??
I digress. I actually wanted to talk about an email that arrived in my mailbox yesterday that caused me to do a double take.
I've mentioned this before, but I believe it deserves repeating. When I originally started this blog, I actually intended it to be a tool for men to use that have just recently gotten out of a long term relationship. Not only did I want to keep a personal record of the steps I took and the experiences I went through to go from 6 year relationship to single to a successful relationship; I wanted other guys to see that it was possible too.
I received the following email from a guy named Justin. I wanted to share it with my readers and to say, "thank you".
Thanks for reminding me why I blog.
Best,
So@24
* * *
Hey So@24,
I am sure this isn't the first thank you note you have received, but I just wanted to thank you for sharing your journey in recovering from a long term relationship. I have been reading your "mini stories" for couple hours now (while I should be studying for midterms) and words can't describe how your blog has touched me.
It has been 9 months since my first girlfriend broke up with me, although I am getting stronger everyday, from time to time I will stumble and think about her and all the memories we hold. I know I am not fully moved on but like you have heard many times, time heals all wounds.
In your passages I really felt like I was in your position numerous amounts of time, like I was actually in your shoes. I guess in some ways I am. But your blog has showed me something that none of my friends or family were able to do, which is the light at the end of the tunnel. Its funny how you are just one person in the world with a simple little blog yet you don't know what you have done for many people in this similar situation.
You have sparked my interest to start my own blog, something that will get my emotions out and hopefully help me reach the end of the tunnel.
I want to keep this short, but thanks for sharing this part of your life, you have no idea how much your stories have helped me take another step to healing from my break up and I am sure there are many other individuals that have benefited from your blog as well.
Justin
54 comments:
*tears* just kidding.
how sweet of a letter from one guy to another.....
Is it ok to say "awwww sweet!" or would that be far too corny?
That is really sweet. I know that made your day. Very nice ideed.
I love it. Always awesome when people say the nice things they are thinking!
Awwwwwww that's sweet!
That was a really nice e-mail. I remember the first time I sat down to read your blog was right after my break up with the ex. It made me laugh a lot and realize that I wasn't the only one who had been in that crappy place.
Thats why we all keep coming back. :-)
That is awesome, man.
Every now and then i get one that says, "Thanks for letting me know I am not the only complete weirdo, creeper out there."
Ok thats a lie. I AM the only one.
Dude. I got a link to a blog that had the exact same premise as yours. I thought that since I liked yours so much (despite being female and MARRIED) I would like this new one.
Aside from ganking your style in a totally unoriginal way, it was painfully boring. The stories aren't even a little bit funny. Sad face.
So, the point is, you must continue to blog. Even when you meet Mrs. Right. Or do you even want to meet Mrs. Right? Perhaps you just want to date some more and don't feel ready to settle down?
All I know is, I look forward to your first post about the birth of a child, etc. LOL!
aaaaaaaaaawwwwwww
Very gratifying, isn't it? Well done, you.
Aw that's awesome! :-)
Aw that was a very sweet note from Justin!
But really dude? I'd come to you for a lot of things: a good poke on the old FB if I was feeling down, a drink or dinner if I happened to be in LA or a great laugh.
No offense, but you're not one I'd as for help with on a romantic situation.
But it's awesome that you can offer other guys in your situation "a light at the end of the tunnel". GOOD JOB!
wow.that really touched me. i have to say that sometimes i could totally relate with you. even though your a guy. it's nice to see from the guy's point of view, and i have to say that it's opened up my eyes a bit. thanks so, for your awesomeness.
I so agree! I'm always sending your blog to single male friends. You rock, SO!
Encouragement like that is always great, and it's good to see that even though the majority of your readers are likely female, there are guys out there reading it and getting exactly what you hoped from it.
Good job darlin'. And hopefully Justin finds his solace through his own blog.
Aww, cute! I started my blog for the same reasons, only I took a much more sarcastic look at relationships, I guess that's where you and I differ.
I found you through the blogosphere, as I read some of your readers. I was spellbound and read your entire blog over the course of three work days! (How's that for productivity?!)
You have a really good story, heartbreaking at times, but also hilarious at times, and I can only imagine how much it would help me if I were to be in your shoes. Keep on blogging. It's a great service to others!
ditto to chasing paradise above me - i have also read your entire blog, and in a short span of time. you deserve every good email you get!
I want to read Justin's blog now.
So Awesome!
You know you're going to have more bounce in your step today....
That is just wicked for you :)
i read for the same reason.
13 months out of a four year relationship at 23 years old.
i feel you, man.
aw that's so sweet. :)
Looks like a bromance is on the horizon!! :)
So, my friend. Very cool. But you want to know what struck me most? That you get a ton of advice seeking women filling your inbox. You realize what you're in danger of becoming, don't you? "The friend who women ask about dating, not the one they date." Sometimes things just seem so damned complicated, no? Should it be so f'ing hard to meet someone, share looks, spark convo.. yadda yadda till death do you part? Sadly, it is. Esp nowadays.
Why do you suppose they come to you for advice? And have you ever wondered if this and your dry spell are at all related?
btw, I don't suggest you be unhelpful or a jerk. Not at all. Those are not qualities anyone should employ to meet a good woman.
did you write him back and tell him he won't be sexing any ladies anytime soon?
I feel like he needs to hear that.
Zing!
Gee. I started my blog as a joke (no joke)
Don't I feel shallow now?
That is great!! Good for you!
It is also nice to read an email or in my case a comment that really comes from the heart. I love it when people actually thank you for a blog post. It makes me feel great. =)
You really are helping lots of people. For some it is relationship advice and stuff like that. For me it is giving me a good laugh when it is most needed =) Thanks!!!!!!!!!
I usually turn to your blog for a good "guys are people too" moment, and you should know that that's an invaluable service for us women who are also wrestling with the dating beast.
That's a really great email. You deserve every word of it though, seriously. Your blog is one of the best out there, no doubt about it.
thats really cool! What a great feeling to know you helped someone like that!
i love this! how cool for you :)
Aaww that made me feel all warm and tingly inside.
(Giving you a standing ovation, more than a simple clap.) Well done, sir, well done!
VI
He's coming onto you!
Kidding. But if he was, you'd not notice would you?
i get asked for relationship advice a lot, too, and as someone who has been single for 21 years that's a little odd. i think they come to us because people in relationships give advice like "oh, just wait around and the perfect person will come to you!" whereas i give advice like "maybe you should consider not wearing that t-shirt with a fart joke on it"
also im jealous that you get emails with actual content, as i typically get ones that tell me how hot i am.
That's very cool. 8)
keep this up and you'll be writing your own "how to/self help" on dating for men...
So did he start the blog? I want to read it.
It's okay, So, I'm not replacing you.
P.S: I'm doing my taxes next week. I've got plenty of tissues in my bag for all the nose bleeds I'm sure to get. Wish me luck.
What a sweet letter =)
Admittedly, when I read the name of the person that sent it to you, I blushed a little since it's my boyfriend's name ><
Wow, thats awesome So. Really - i think thats the kind of appreciation most of us are looing for.
I can understand why women write you for advice on relationships. Sometimes we just need a guy's POV to save us from ourselves and our over-analyses. You seem like the kind of guy who would give an actual thoughtful response and not just a "I don't know. I'm not a relationship expert."
That is so awesome. Isn't it the best feeling in the world to help someone?
But don't sell yourself too short--just because you were broken up with doesn't mean you don't have valid, perfectly helpful relationship advice to give. Obviously--your relationship lasted six years. That is so admirable in itself! And because of those six years, you're privy to more information than a lot of people have gained from their experience.
You're doing great, and I think it's awesome that you're getting the gratitude to prove it.
-A.
just stumbled across yr blog. fucking genius. i don't get how you are still single though- a guy with a brain, a job, a killer sense of humor, AND likes to party?
those west coast chicks are clearly getting too much sun.
Wow, SO, what a hugh compliment! Usually when I get e-mails from non-blogging guys they're asking me for my bra size.
It's quite something when someone lets you know you've touched, moved and inspired them..keep up the great work!
You have 213 followers? Sweet baby Jesus.
You've done well with this blog, SO@24.
Aw. That's such a great story... and I know exactly what you mean. In the end, we all write because we hope someone out there can relate, and we can help each other. This is the perfect example of that. Awesome.
That is awesome. See, your blog does good things for people. Mine? Well it's just a big drunken debaucle. And I obviously can't spell either.
You never know who you reach. Keep up the great work. SO@24.
you totally deserved that email
that's awesome! good for you!
hey, nice weblog and good publish
Post a Comment