love thursday: connection

As much fun as a getaway with girlfriends can be (and far be it from me to complain about having some R&R in the wine country of California), the truth is that there is a large part of me that really, really hates being away from Marcus and Alex, no matter how seemingly fabulous the reason.  I spend a considerable amount of time when I'm by myself in new surroundings thinking things like, "Oh, man, I wish Marcus was here to see this," or "Jeez, Alex would love that."  I love traveling in whatever form, but when I'm away from my family, it's always bittersweet.

I suspect this is probably true for most people who are away from those they love, and while I was in Sonoma last weekend, I secretly loved watching people steal away from the group to give the folks back home a quick call, just to check in and see what was happening in their absence, and feel a little bit a part of it.  It reminded me that sometimes when someone loves someone else, they don't both have to be in your presence to witness it.

Happy Love Thursday, everyone.

Image:  Kelly on her iPhone checking in with her man back in Chicago, photographed in the Russian River Valley of California with my Nikon D300 and 50mm lens.

Song:  Ain't no sunshine as performed by Gomez.  This is a brilliant version, too.  I've had it on repeat for the past 2 days.