It’s actually fitting that this is my 100th post on my beloved blog (for all of you who are still here reading, thank you!). Today, something very interesting happened in my side of the blogosphere. The lovely Miss Lizzy Marie of It’s Unbeweavable won the 20 Something Bloggers’ Featured blogger of the month. This is incredible and I do not know of anyone more deserving of this honor.

However, amidst Liz’s undeniable excitement, a certain someone deemed it appropriate to rain on her day. I’m not going to go into details of how he did this, but let me just say, it hurt me in a deep way to see someone so quick to judge one of the most amazing people I have ever known.

I, among many others, came to Liz’s rescue, showing this certain someone that she has many, many people on her side supporting her.

See, I have always loved to write. Blogging has given me the opportunity to reach others. To write for myself, but so others can hear and be affected. I have always believed that words are incredibly powerful – they can affect the lives of others. That, alone, is why I write. That, alone, is why I blog.

Liz is one of the most open, honest and entertaining writers I have ever encountered. She talks about real-life stuff that so many people can relate to. Not to mention, she is a wonderful friend. I am so blessed to have found her in this huge blogging universe.

So, I stood up for her. That someone who ruined Liz’s day and represented everything I hate about stereotypes, insensitivity, disrespect and ignorance, posted a blog post about the events of the day, and I, among many others, responded. Here is what I said:

I know I don’t know you, so I won’t assume that these comments are falling on deaf ears. However, I just wanted to reiterate what many other people are saying. It was wrong of you to judge Liz with little to no information. I know you know this, thus your apology, however, I wanted to share a little story.

I joined the blogging universe almost a year ago. I joined because I love to write. I love to write about anything and everything that moves me. That’s what is so wonderful and free about blogs and the Internet in general. I have met some amazing people (both male and female) through their blogs, and Liz is one of them.

I stumbled upon Liz’s blog in the usual way, you know, following some links and such. On that particular day, she had published a blog post that linked back to a previous post from a few months back about being single, combatting loneliness and not settling for less than one deserves in a relationship. Liz’s open and emotional writing reached out to me, touched me, affected me, and helped me through a tough time in my own life. I reached out to her to let her know her words inspired me and how much I appreciated her honesty and openness. We’ve been very close friends ever since. That’s the beauty of writing and why I like to write – you can touch people’s lives just by being honest about your own. I admire Liz for that and I encourage you to embrace the idea that there’s something, someone, some blog, out there for everyone and Liz’s, while it may stray from your personal taste, can and obviously does touch the lives of many. She deserves this award.

I sincerely hope that this has been a learning experience for you as you go on your own respective journey defining yourself and your writing. Never underestimate the power of words – whether positive or negative, yours or others’.

Let this lesson that he (hopefully) learned be a lesson to all. Whether blogging, writing, speaking, etc., choose your words wisely because you never know who’s life you are affecting with each one.

Oh, and don’t mess with my girl.