So, in the spirit of lists, today’s list is officially titled 2008′s Link Loved List.  Several months ago I started something called “Link Loved” with the intention of sending out some great big internet ‘thank you’s’.  It worked for a while and then lost it’s steam, but it’s still something that I think is totally important.

The idea behind ‘Link Loved’ was pretty simple.  At the end of the month we would find the top five sites that sent your blog the most traffic, offer your thanks, and write a little something about their blog encouraging your readers to check them out.  Simple enough right?  Well, for the end of the year I’d like to mention the top ten sites of the year sending the most folks to this here blog in the first official 2008 Link Loved List.  Now, these are real people, not Google, Twitter or anything like that.  Here goes.

10.  The Bloggess – 556 – Okay, this lady is a freak.  But a fun freak.  And I secretly love that it probably drives her nuts that she has a handful of Christian readers that appreciate her humor.  If you haven’t check out The Bloggess, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.  

9.  RedCedar (Auburn Annie) - 563 – I grew up with Annie.  I was best friends with her brother and she was the older sister that we probably drove nuts.  Now we are blog friends and probably know more about each other than we ever did growing up.  It’s been great to see her blog take shape and connect with her and her family, even from across the country.  Check out Annie’s blog.

8.  World Wide Refugee – 580 – This is another friend of mine that I knew growing up but it’s been awesome to get to know better through his blog.  Jeff and his wife are now in Colorado and we talk occasionally about marketing, life and the approach of his first baby.  His blog is a little different style, but it’s really entertaining.  Check it out.

7.  Jeff Culmer – 914 – I first met Jeff on tour and we’ve hung out ever since.  Although we have really only hung out in the same town that we live in once in our lives, but we always seem to run into each other everywhere else.  Jeff has been a solid supporter of my blog and SkörInc and continues to encourage others to blog, and he’s a pretty big fellah so I think people listen.

6.  Andira - 935 – I have been amazed by the support of Andira on my blog.  To my knowledge, we have never met, and I am continually blown away by her involvement in Positive Post Tuesday as well as the Music You’ve Never Heard posts.  Check out Andira’s Blog when you get a chance and check out her music too.

5.  My Mom - 1,021 – This is my mom.  She better be on this list.  Kidding.  But seriously, aside from my wife, I don’t know if I have a bigger cheerleader in my life than my mom.  She is willing to give anything that I am involved in a shot, including Twitter and Blogging.  I’m sure most of you have already, but if you haven’t, check out my mom’s blog and tell her hi.

4.  Brian Seay – 1,109 – Brian lives next door to me, but I think we see each other more online than anywhere else, except for maybe the bus stop in the mornings.  It’s been crazy to watch the journey that his family has taken through the adoption process, and to keep up with where he’s at in the world.  

3.  Visual Coma – 1,285 – Yep, this makes sense.  Randy has been more of a help to me and SkörInc than he could ever know.  In fact, without Randy, the company would consist of me saying ‘yes’ to people and then freaking out at how I would accomplish anything.  Randy’s blog, however, cracks me up.  He’s the only person I know that can code for hours and hours but still has a hard time spelling prity pretty.  I’m sure most of you have already, but make sure to stop in on Randy and tell him hello.

2.  Ragamuffin Soul - 2,113 – Again, not a huge surprise here.  Carlos has a massive blog and has created a freak-like following.  I don’t know how he did it, but it’s fascinating to watch.  I’ve met up with Carlos a few times here in Nashville, and in Atlanta, and one time he let me sleep on his couch when I was stranded at the airport.  Someone that I met through blogging and now can call a friend.  That’s a pretty cool thing.

1.  This Is Kristin – 3,101 – It’s only appropriate that my biggest support would be my biggest support online as well.  What can I say?  Kristin has been an amazing support to me and everything that I am doing with this whole weird blog thing.  She’s one of the three people that truly understand the idea and passion behind what I am doing and supports me more than I can understand.  Most of you already know Kristin, but if you haven’t been to her blog, check it out.

So that’s it folks.  My top-ten link loved sites.  I appreciate all of these people and all they have done to create this fun community here.  I’d encourage you to take some time and check out all the sites above and give them a nice ‘hello’.  And if you find time check out your ‘Link Loved’ list and let them know.