This trip to the States has been great. I’ve loved seeing my family — it’s been every bit as wonderful to see my kids interacting with them as I thought it would be. It’s been nice just to be here at home, without anything in particular to do or anywhere to be. I even got to be here for my brother’s 35th birthday today, and we were able to have dinner and cake and ice cream with him to celebrate.

And, I’ve also been able to see some friends that I haven’t seen in much too long. I’m very fortunate to have an amazing collection of interesting, warm, kind, fun people as friends — and some of them I have known for a VERY long time. Today, I was able to get together with my oldest friend — in duration, not in age — we’ve known each other, she reminded me today, for nearly 30 years.

We went to see her, her husband and her son (who is almost 3) today at their home . . . which is about 2 minutes drive from my mom’s house . . . which is also the house she grew up in . . . which means it is also the house she and I played in as kids. I remember camp out sleep overs in her yard, choreographing a rather unfortunate “ballet” involving several stuffed unicorns in her living room and once attempting to drop my sister off in her stead (which, sadly, almost worked).

We had a great time. It was so nice to catch up, and hang out, and just spend time together. And it was fun to watch our boys do the same (and they even played well together and shared their toys).

I’ve loved being home, spending time with my family and friends that I’ve missed so much. This trip has been much too short, and I’m already looking forward to coming home again.