S and I landed in Los Angeles late on Thursday night. I have not had time to take any lovely pictures, but here is a photo of my lap on the flight from Charlotte to LAX:

You’re welcome.

We are here visiting some dear friends of ours. We have known them for 5 years. S and I technically met through them. They were present when S proposed to me. They officiated our wedding.

Friendship is something I’ve learned a lot about in the last year and a half.

People and relationships are important. They help us build a continuing sense of identity and allow us to process through the events of our lives.

Friendship is something that requires effort. You must select another human being and commit to invest in them, care about them, be there for them.

I am very thankful for the friends I have in my life now. They are not friendships built solely on fun or because we are truly committed to an event and happen to be pleasant while we are in the same place at the same time.

This new circle is people who know me. People who have helped me grow and have shared in my struggles.

If you haven’t forged a healthy bond with someone – in which you are mutually committed to becoming better and helping each other achieve that – I hope you open yourself to it. There is such potential in community.