This weekend I did something so fun! I took the train to Portland (no kids) and stayed in a bed and breakfast with my friend Shalom. It’s her birthday, and we wanted to get away without the little ones. Shalom and I were roommates in college, and she is one of my dearest and oldest friends. It’s hard to believe we haven’t been alone together, with uninterrupted time to talk, in eight years! It was amazing! We talked, talked some more, laughed until we cried, talked again, laughed even more, and talked until we fell asleep talking.

This is a shot of her and her husband that she sent us for Christmas a couple years ago (left the camera at home this weekend :)). Her husband, Chris Shreve, is one of the most amazing painters out there. Very abstract and intense.

I find it so hard to take time to myself, especially since I’m already away from my kids when I’m working on Me Ra Koh Photography stuff. Can any mom’s relate? This week alone, we fly out to New York to speak at Photo Plus Expo. And I’m really excited, but taking the weekend off to go see a friend was tough. And yet, I’m so glad I did. I feel refreshed and ready for my kids, my husband, my work, my clients, our audience in NY… Thanks Shalom for making time in your crazy schedule! Boy, I miss laughing with you!