When I created this blog (my first post exactly two years ago), I never imagined it would bring a wonderful friend who lives 2,000 miles away in San Francisco.  Domonique and I were introduced by our mutual friend Janet, my sorority pledge mom at DePauw.  She knew that we held similar interests (Domonique pens the blog A Bowl Full of Simple) and would enjoy sharing ideas as well as commiserating.  After sharing comfortable correspondence for many months, we met in person at a photography conference in New York last fall where we became fast friends.Then came a surprise invitation just weeks ago – would our family like to spend a long weekend with hers at their home on Lake Tahoe?  Janet (who I hadn’t seen in a decade) and her family would be spending the weekend as well.  My answer – of course – was an enthusiastic yes, though my children teased that we were traveling across the country to stay with someone I had met on the internet (and I can only imagine what Domonique’s husband must have said when she sprung the idea!).  All joking aside, I could have come up with a thousand reasons not to go, but knew in my heart the trip would be one we’d never regret.

We spent three unforgettable days exploring the terrain and lazing about Domonique and her wonderful husband Grant’s lake house, drinking coffee and wine and enjoying delicious meals and conversation near their giant stone fireplace (and champagne in their hot tub!).

On our last morning, Hannah and I woke early to catch the sunrise over the lake. Thank you Domonique and Grant (Lucas, Olivia and Melinda too!) for your warm and gracious hospitality.  And thank you, Janet, for creating this connection.  It was such a gift to have time with you and your beautiful family after all of these years!