I have been anticipating the seeing of Jen and Kurt

not just because they have this handsome little boy now

but because parenthood changes everybody.

Plus introductions were overdue with between Olivine and Alton.

It was last summer when we had round bellies full of hidden babies.

It feels a bit mysterious how seasons change

and families are widened in a relatively short span of time.

There is always plenty to catch up on

and the secret wish that we lived closer.

But I will say that taking walks and sharing meals with out of town friends can add an element of normalcy

and make the distance between Long Beach and Minneapolis not feel so far.