(The gist of the post below will also be posted at Shutter Sisters for tomorrow's Love Thursday, but I figure it bears repeating here.)

As you know, the last few weeks, I've had an insane travel schedule -- in three weeks, work obligations have dictated I visit three different cities in three different countries, resulting in me almost literally not knowing which way is up anymore. While all this travel has been absolutely exhausting, there have been a few wonderful bright spots, in the form of connecting with some really lovely souls I've had the privilege of meeting and knowing in my life. The first was the opportunity to sit over a delicious cappuccino with Andrea, a woman who I met in 2006 at a conference, and with whom I seem to cross cyber-paths often. Our time together last week was the first we'd spent in person since that first fateful meeting two years ago, and it was as wonderful and refreshing as ever.

The second bright spot was spending time with my friend Rachel, a woman with whom my friend Mark had connected me about 7 years ago, thinking that our personalities would click. And so true: we immediately got on like a house on fire, and even though it had been about four years since I'd seen Rachel, it was like no time had passed. I left our dinner two nights ago feeling so thoroughly pleased for her happy life, and her bubbly personality lifted my spirits the way they always have.

Finally, after dinner with Rach, I actually met Mark, who I hadn't seen in about 9 months. Mark is one of my very dearest friends: we've known each other for over a decade, and he's the godfather of Alex. We sat for hours until the hotel bar kicked us out, and caught up on each other's lives: our relationships, our jobs, politics, religion, money -- we covered it all, and I was genuinely sad when our evening ended.

On the flight home yesterday, I realized how lucky I am that I have all these wonderful people in my life. The intensity of emotion I feel for each varies, yet I feel equally grateful for knowing each of them, and thankful for the gift of friendship they've each shared with me.

Couple this with my beautiful husband and really great kid, there's no denying I'm a very lucky woman.