I just returned from a wonderful visit with my daughter and son in law. She lives in a suburb of Pittsburgh and while we love to go into the city, there are also many things to do in the North Hills (as I just learned the area north of the city is called). We went out for cocktails at a favorite spot from a former visit, had a wonderful dinner at an historic inn with a German menu and spent a lovely afternoon at a winery. We walked their dog in the pretty, but hilly neighborhood they live in and had breakfast at a cute cafe attached to a garden center.
And, while we did keep busy, we also had some down time to catch up with each other. We last saw each other at the end of April, so three months. That is the magic number for me when it comes to my daughters and I don’t let distance keep us apart for much longer than that. Talking on the phone is fine, but there is something important about a hug in person and a face to face conversation. There is something important too about spending time in someone’s home and city, seeing their space and feeling part of their day to day life.
The goodbyes are hard, but we already have plans to see each other at a family wedding in September, so we will hold on to that and make due with many phone calls between Pennsylvania and Florida.
P.S. I fly a lot, but flying right now is a bit on the nightmarish side. Coming back was an exercise is delays, missed connections and an unexpected stay in the airport hotel for an early morning flight. I finally make it home to Florida fifteen hours after my original arrival time, but had to travel out of my way through St. Louis.
Pack your patience if you have travel plans :-)