When I arrived home from the BAM Conference my husband asked me to tell him how it went. My reply was, “If I started right now and talked non-stop for 24 hours I still couldn’t tell you everything that happened and how absolutely wonderful it was.”
For years I have dreamed of a conference where women writers and bloggers my age came together and shared knowledge, ideas and dreams. Sharon Hodor Greenthal, Anne Parris and Beth Rosen (along with many others) helped make that dream come true. I met Anne last year at another conference and after lots of emails and messaging we realized we shared a similar vision. I feel so thankful and blessed that these talented women allowed me to be one of four partners in helping plan and host the very first BAM Conference this past weekend in Nashville.
Here is a picture of all four of us together snuggled up under our wonderful Stouffer’s blankets.
You would think by looking at us that we had known each other for ages but that’s not the case. Anne and I had met once, but the day this picture was made was the first time I had met Beth and Sharon. From left to right the Fearsome Foursome are me, Beth, Sharon,and Anne.
It’s funny how quickly we all clicked. By the time I left on Sunday I found it hard to say goodbye. I wanted to bring them all home with me and introduce them to my family. I know they would all fit right in, even if Sharon (who lives in L.A.) and Beth (who lives in Chicago) had to practice their pronunciation of “Y’all” a few times. We went to Cracker Barrel to eat breakfast and look what these two did to try and prove to me they can be southerners.
The Missing Puzzle Piece
I have been blogging since 2009 and while I love what I do there was always something missing. Now I know what it was; networking with other bloggers my age. They get me. As much as I love my family, my community and my friends, there are many of them who think blogging is in the same category as playing online games, scrolling through Facebook or checking your email.
If I told them BAM trended twice on Twitter they wouldn’t have a clue what that meant. Writing and blogging are very solitary professions and most of the time I like that. I love losing myself in the world of words; trying to find just the right phrases to paint a portrait of thoughts and feelings. There are, however, times when I don’t like the solitude. When I was a high school teacher I could discuss education with my co-workers and I learned so much from them. We went to teacher meetings and attended conferences together. There was a camaraderie between us and I miss that. I didn’t know just how much I missed it until BAM.
BAM, and the women who were there, validated what I do more than anything else ever has. Not only did I come home inspired to be a better writer and improve my blog professionally, I came home encouraged by other women my age who are facing the same challenges as I am. It’s such a wonderful feeling to know that I’m not alone. There are other women like me staring at computer screens and working hard to make a positive difference in the blogosphere.
Just last April I wrote a post called What Boomers Want where I lamented that brands did not understand the financial power of women (and men) our age. A blogger friend (who I won’t mention by name) wrote to me and told me to put my big girl panties on and get over it.
Let me just say that when you put your big girl panties on you should always make sure you don’t wear them backwards. You were probably (hopefully) unaware of this but I was in such a rush to get ready and get to the conference Saturday morning that I didn’t pay attention to which was the front and which was the back. All day long I kept thinking something didn’t feel right. At some point I went to the ladies room and like the Hokey Pokey says, “turned myself around.”
But back to the post I wrote, in a way the other blogger was right, it was unprofessional of me to whine but I do that sometimes when I am frustrated. This conference reassured me that the times are changing. Brands and organizations are starting to notice us. #Stouffers, #Nissan, #Vibrant Nation, #Collective Bias, and the other sponsors of BAM were essentially saying, “Midlife women are important.” We know we are but we are ecstatic that some brands are starting to validate that. Thank you brands and kudos to you for among the first to sponsor a women’s midlife conference.
Never-never Land
Like a lot of women my age I laugh and joke about being “old.” I don’t mind the young man at the grocery store calling me Ma’am and I don’t hide my copy of ARRP when guests come over. I am very aware that I am aging and while I would prefer you call me a “mature woman” as opposed to an “old woman” I won’t hit you over a head with a two by four if you call me old (I might write a nasty blog post about you though). What I don’t like and will take you task on is being devalued.
Traditionally society has defined women by their appearance. If your stomach isn’t flat or your face has a few wrinkles you are not as important as the newest (and usually very young) pop star. Baloney! Stop telling women over the age of 50 that we no longer matter because we aren’t going to buy that anymore.
This past weekend was one of the top ten events of my life. Not because I helped host the BAM Conference (although that was an honor) but because of the women who attended. There was so much energy, enthusiasm, wisdom and knowledge in the room that had we tried I think we could have come up with a winning plan for world peace. We talked it over and decided to save that for the next BAM in 2016.
If you couldn’t attend this BAM Conference I hope you will make plans to be at the next one. These women will inspire you with what they have accomplished so far on their journeys and with their dreams of what the future holds. You see, just like we are never to old to reinvent ourselves or make a difference, we are never too old to dream.
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So glad you got snowed in with us! Bring on the fun and the blueberries! Hugs! T
I nodded my way through reading your post. Perfectly said! What a blessing it was to me to meet you. I just can’t begin to tell you how lucky I feel: for me, being trapped at the Opryland Hotel was like hitting the jackpot! Look out because I’m coming to pick blueberries with you, and we’re going to have to plan on having some hot fun in the summertime, my new sweet friend!
xxx ooo
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Hi Cheryl! I do hope you will come next time. We had a blast and I think next year will be better and bigger! Teresa
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Do come next year. It’s going to be even bigger and better! Thanks for visiting me here at NanaHood. Do come back!
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Thanks, Colleen! I loved the event and my part in helping make it happen.
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It was a labor of love. Love for other women who do what we do. Women like you! Thanks for coming and helping make the event a success!
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Thanks and do come next year!
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Believe me, I am NOT a glamorous person but I am honored that you would say that. Can’t wait until BAM16!
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I totally agree, Jennifer! The support and encouragement was what it made it so wonderful!
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Cathy, thanks for visiting and I want to stay connected too! You are one tweeting lady and you totally helped us trend on Twitter! Thanks for coming to our slumber party and do come back next year! Teresa
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Thanks for coming and being a part of such a labor of love! I had a blast!
Wonderful post, Teresa, thank you! It was an unforgettable experience for all of us and all the work you and the team did to put it together is so appreciated Looking forward to #BAMC16
It takes a brave woman to admit to the world that they’re wearing their panties on backwards. You go, girl. As for the rest? You really are amazing , Teresa. In who you are and what you wrote in this post. I am glad to know you and I hope we stay connected – I know we will!
Such a perfect description of this weekend!! It was a so amazing to meet all these strong, supportive women.
I am trying to picture glamorous YOU having a backwards undie moment. Been there, reversed that. What a calming, reassuring, positive measure you brought to the event — true grace under pressure start to end. I am so glad we get to stay connected via our group until next year, in person again
It all looks and sounds so amazing, would have loved to attend. I am sure it was plenty of work and most likely well reworded as it shows in the pictures.
Teresa, you, Sharon, Anne and Beth did an amazing job organizing BAM. We had a wonderful time and cannot wait to see you again – maybe picking blueberries??? Thank you so much for your hard work and dedication at putting this on! MD and L
This is an awesome post. I love your energy and power! Glad BAM was awesome too!
Well that surely looked like a blast! I’m so glad you had a great time with folks you adore! I wish I could have made it…hoping next year for sure. Love the pics too!
I had planned to attend this conference, but the fates would not allow it this time. I can clearly see that everyone had a wonderful time. Congrats on a successful event! Hope to join you at the next one.
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You rock, Candace! It was great meeting you and as far as i’m concerned, “We’ve only just begun!” Hugs!
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Julia, we couldn’t have done it without you and Elizabeth. Hugs to you both and here’s to next year, my friend!
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Would love to, Christine! Take care my friend!
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Did you have a great weekend with your friends? Come next year pretty please!
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Thanks Joan! Oh how I wanted you to be there! Please come next year. Hugs to you my friend!
What a wonderful report, Teresa! I know how hard you worked….having had the honor of meeting you for lunch…..at a Cracker Barrel!….on your way home from the previous conference. I heard your passion over scrambled eggs…..two grandmas talking about our grandkids in between midlife women blogger power! Bravo and hugs and a big pat on the back! Weather warnings kept me away….but it’s now on my calendar for next April! I laughed out loud at “turning yourself around”……been there, done that! But how eloqently and elegantly you share!! Well done, my sweet friend!
LOVE the recap! Wish I could have been there. It sounds like a fabulous time. Next year, my friend, next year! 😀
Teresa, congrats on such a successful event! Sure wish I could have attended BAM with you. There is nothing as powerful as women of like mind working together. I hope you’ll share some of what you’ve learned with the GRANDparent Network.
This post captured that feeling of clicking so well! And I had never met you before this weekend either, but I can just hear you tell your hokey pokey story in your lovely accent (you have the accent; I don’t! 😉 ) I can’t wait for 2016.
I loved this post, which captures everything I felt about #BAMC15…and more. From our first email exchange months before the conference, I knew I had found a smart, funny, and kind new friend. Meeting you IRL did not disappoint. Thank you for all you did to make all of us BAM Babes feel at home. PS Remember, you have an open invitation to visit me in Maine. They don’t call it Vacationland for nothing!