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.  (The travel has also made it very difficult for me to keep any semblance of my routine in order, so thanks much to the lovely Tracey for covering for me for Love Thursday last week -- I owe you one, Trace!).  There's still a bit more travel in my future -- my husband and I are off to a friend's wedding in Virginia tomorrow -- but blessedly, after this last trip, I won't have to see the inside of a plane for a while.

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 (shown above) with Andrea, a woman who I met in 2006 at a conference, and with whom I seem to cross cyber-paths often --  not the least of which is here at Shutter Sisters, to which we both contribute.   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 a mutual friend 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 met my friend, Mark, who I hadn't seen in about 9 months.  Mark is my dearest friend, we've known each other for over a decade, and he's the godfather of my daughter.  We sat for hours until the hotel bar kicked us out, and caught up on each other's lives:  my husband and his girlfriend, our jobs, politics, religion, money -- we covered it all, and I was genuinely sad  when our evening ended.

On the flight home Tuesday morning, 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.  I'm a very lucky woman.

 * * * * * * *

Happy Love Thursday, everyone.  Please leave your links of love in the comments section, below -- and check out the beautiful photos by barilynn8 and Nicky Thomas for inspiration.  

And be sure to take a moment to reflect on the friends in your life today.  Because, while I'm sure you know they're important, they're really important, you know?