BBQ With The Turners- Awe.some
One of the most amazing parts of blogging is the connections that we make with other people be they clients or fellow bloggers. Benn & I have had a friendship with Jeff Turner (President of Real Estate Shows, a product we do actually use) and Rocky Turner (Founder of Mothers Fighting for Others) and got a phone call the other day from Jeff that lasted about 30 seconds. Benn: “Hello?” Jeff: “Hey, we’re passing through Austin in a few hours, want to do dinner?” Benn: “It’s on!”
We arrived at Green Mesquite BBQ in Oak Hill (south of Austin) because it was on their way and there wouldn’t be a wait. Oh, and when I asked Jeff about dietary needs or if they were like vegan or something, he’s a self-proclaimed “opposite of a vegetarian” and would love to eat a slab of cow. So slab of cow we all had!
When Jeff & Rocky arrived, Benn met them at the car where each kiddo hopped out and impressed Benn by introducing themselves. I waited inside with Little B (because we still don’t have outdoor air conditioning installed yet). When the fam came inside, I got up to hug Jeff then Rocky (uh, we don’t do handshakes here in the South) and was met with the warmest, biggest, most sincere hugs I’ve had in ages- it was like family came to visit that we hadn’t seen in a long time! Their 4 boys and 2 girls who have been cooped up in the mega-truck for 12 hours all got settled and the boys commenced to very seriously studying the kiddo menu then creating art while the little girls impressed us with how sweet they were (”I’m hungry” one said with a cocked head very matter-of-factly to Benn as she sat next to him).
We all ordered various meats and talked about everything from real estate, blogging, the upcoming Inman Conference, meat, where each of us lives and I’m pretty sure the word “gas” was used at least twice (maybe by me, maybe by others, I’ll never tell!). When the time came to part ways (they still had quite a drive left for the night), we were sad. Like really sad. The whole fam functioned so well (we talked in awe about it all night!) and the Turners are ridiculously easy to get along with.
We hope they’ll come back soon (maybe on their way BACK through Texas next weekish?)! It was a rockin’ good time and we look forward to next time!
June 28th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
ugh! I am SO jealous!! and of course you missed the story about the wet sloppy kiss…but I won’t even go there!
June 29th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Every time I see Jeff’s pic, I’m thinkin’ Dad died without tellin’ me something.
What a cool family.
June 29th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
How fun:) I am so jealous. Glad it was good and fun.
June 29th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
I am really enjoying watching their cross country trip and “meeting” all the bloggers along the way- Very cool and what great memories for the family.
June 29th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
I don’t know who is luckier the Turner fam or the Rosales fam,but I’m envious of both of you guys. Isn’t it amazing how the F2F interaction enhances the whole relationship? Of course the fact that all of you are awesome Helps
June 30th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
If any of you guys get a chance to meet the Turners IRL (in real life), do NOT pass it up! They’re really good people. They can pass through Austin ANY time!
July 1st, 2008 at 10:20 am
Hey hey! No thank you! We had a great time! Maybe next time Austin will be an overnight stop!
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:37 am
Lani… we truly enjoyed the detour through Austin. So much so that we seriously started talking about heading south on the way back as well. And we never do the same road twice in one summer. We felt like we didn’t get a good enough look at Austin and the surrounding hill country. You live in a truly beautiful place! Tell Benn to move the cup and Little B we said “hi!”
July 4th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Hey Lani! I’m glad you all had fun; what a special time. Last fall I was lucky enough to meet a few of my virtual friends and can honestly say they are true gems. I’ll cherish their friendships always. I can’t wait to meet more of my online friends and you girl, are at the top of the list.
Ciao!
July 30th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
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