From left: Ally’s accomplice; Cup of Jo readers Ally and Emma; and Emma’s accomplice.
Cup of Jo readers are famously good storytellers, so it’s no shock that actually inspiring stuff goes down within the feedback sections. We requested readers to share their favourite “come for the weblog, keep for the feedback” second…
On discovering friendship:
“After this put up kicked off a flurry of reader meet-ups, we — Ally and Emma — determined to satisfy for a stroll, regardless that we had by no means met. Whereas speaking, we had been shocked to understand that the next Tuesday, we had been each heading to Mexico… on the identical flight… to the identical small city. So, a friendship blind date changed into worldwide journey plans inside three days! We went to the seaside, witnessed child sea turtles getting launched, and took sundown photographs collectively as if we’d identified one another for years (photograph above). We love sharing our origin story with folks — the ‘we met within the feedback of our favourite weblog’ by no means ceases to amaze.” — Ally and Emma
“I went to a NYC get-together for individuals who responded to a put up about making pals as an grownup. I met a fellow reader who had not too long ago moved to the town and needed to start out a wine membership. Now, years later, our wine membership nonetheless meets each single month. We’re from all totally different walks of life and would by no means have met if I hadn’t commented on that put up years in the past. Eternally grateful.” — Lauren
On phrases to recollect:
“Years in the past, I learn a remark about how water makes every thing higher. At any time when I’m unhappy, I take a bathe, cry, or drink an enormous glass of water. It really works 99% of the time!” — Hannah
“At any time when I return a buying cart within the car parking zone, I at all times assume: ‘Do it for Larry.’” — Lisa
On bonding over books:
“A number of years in the past, there was a put up about books that ended with a whole bunch of feedback of readers’ all-time favorites. I made an enormous record and for the final three years, I’ve been studying via all of them. That is spectacular for me as a result of I used to common two to a few books a yr, however I now common 20! Thanks, CoJ, for increasing my horizons. — Shailaja
“When my youngsters had been toddlers, each my dad and mom had been going via most cancers remedies, and it was a really difficult interval. I bookmarked an Ashley Ford put up about romance novels and commenced studying via her record, beginning with The Hating Sport. Once I completed these, I began studying the books beneficial within the feedback. I felt supported by a group I trusted.” — Kate
On marriage ceremony planning:
“My then-fiancé and I discovered our first dance music within the Cup of Jo feedback! I used to be listening to songs beneficial on this put up, and once I heard Crowded Desk by the Highwomen, I bought hooked on the uplifting refrain and wonderful lyrics. The music now means a lot to my accomplice and me and units the right tone for our marriage.” — Juliette
“Whereas marriage ceremony planning, I used to be in search of readings that weren’t Bible verses. I stumbled onto this poetry put up. Deep within the feedback, somebody talked about Mouthful of Forevers by Clementine von Radics. Once I learn it for the primary time, I sat at my desk at work simply weeping. My mom learn the poem throughout our ceremony, and I’ll at all times keep in mind how her voice caught on the final couple traces. I by no means would have discovered this poem with out the great readers of Cup of Jo. So, thanks!” — Joanna
On dealing with grief:
“We misplaced our first child to a congenital coronary heart defect three days after her delivery. Later, I used to be studying a put up through which the interviewee stated she was ‘a mom of two,’ having misplaced a child herself. That resonated with me, and I shared within the feedback that I used to be a mom of 1. One other reader replied, ‘Be sort to your self, particularly on the onerous days.’ Extending kindness in direction of ourselves can really feel overseas nevertheless it was a lesson I desperately wanted. I’ve since shared the sentiment with others, and it at all times offers my coronary heart a tug.” — Kelsey
“I work with stage 4 most cancers sufferers, and essentially the most profound feedback I’ve ever learn have been in response to the posts on grief. They’ve modified how I deal with troublesome conditions with sufferers of their understanding of what’s occurring. Now when somebody experiences a loss, I’ll share these posts with them. They’ve made an enormous distinction for me and people I look after.” — Tricia
On the most effective relationship recommendation:
“5 years in the past, I used to be deep within the throes of deciding whether or not or to not have youngsters. I stumbled upon a put up known as ‘I’m Not Certain If I Need Children or Not. How Do You Resolve?’ I pored over the feedback part for hours, late into the night time. I felt such camaraderie with these folks regardless that we’d by no means met. The vary and depth of the responses had been unbelievable. As I learn, I felt compelled to do one thing that I’d by no means achieved earlier than: I copied and pasted a collection of the feedback right into a be aware for myself. To me, they had been treasures and the concept of not having the ability to simply revisit them was untenable. What occurred was profound. I discovered my voice and my coronary heart in these handpicked feedback. These feedback resonated with me as a result of they matched the choice I’d made in my coronary heart however hadn’t but made in my head. I now have two great kids and know, indisputably, that I made the suitable determination for me. I’ll at all times be grateful to the CoJ group.” — Lauren
“A reader named Meg as soon as commented: ‘My mother described love like mild. For some folks, it’s like a lightswitch. Increase, mild! Increase, you already know! And for others, possibly it’s extra like a dawn. Indistinguishable at first. Gentle coming so progressively that you just virtually don’t discover till swiftly, you end up within the full vibrant solar… The nice love in my life was a dawn.’ Actually, till then, I’d solely had ‘lightswitch’ romances. However my final ‘lightswitch’ love actually broke me, so my coronary heart was tender and tentative. When my present accomplice and I began courting, as a substitute of sparks, I felt a deep degree of consolation and ease that was so unfamiliar that I used to be virtually suspicious. He’s sort, affected person, and encourages me to be my messiest, most imperfect self. It sounds tacky however I got here again to this remark a number of occasions for reassurance that it was okay to not instantly ‘know.’ We’re nonetheless collectively and I quoted this CoJ remark in my two-year-anniversary card, calling him my ‘nice dawn love.’” — Sonia
On a cheering part if you want it most:
“Cup of Jo commenters have been there for me via life’s largest moments and offered a heat hug once I didn’t even know I wanted one. I keep in mind being at work studying a ‘How are you doing?’ put up. I commented that I used to be heading residence to take a being pregnant take a look at and felt nervous. Readers left reassuring feedback, which made me tear up. Come to seek out out, that being pregnant take a look at got here again constructive. Quick ahead a pair weeks earlier than I gave delivery, and what are you aware, one other ‘How are you doing?’ put up. I expressed how nervous I used to be to provide delivery and as soon as once more, was responded to by extra loving readers wishing me properly.” — Julie
“I wrote down this remark and put it on the wall above my desk. It jogs my memory to generously help everybody’s huge and small moments as a result of it at all times feels good.” — Julie
What’s your “keep for the feedback” story? We’d love to listen to from you.
P.S. 10 of the funniest reader feedback and 12 feel-good reader feedback.
