Today is a very special day for In a nutshell.

One of our dearest nuts, Kaylee, is back from her life changing journey in Europe and is visiting the Ottawa chapter of In a nutshell for a night of laughs, drinks and catch up. With her return to our University town, it struck me to think how happy we all were to have her back, even if it is just for one night.

Sometimes we forget how lucky we are to have friends near by. Those to whom you can turn to share your most embarrassing, belly laughing moments with. Those who will pick you up out of the shadows. Those who can make you smile even if you are carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. Most women are lucky to have one friend who they can share those moments with. Some women are lucky to have a few. But to have a group of girlfriends who can share, laugh, guide, advise and praise one another – not to mention write a blog together – is truly remarkable.

Most of us still live in the city, pursuing our dreams or some sort of means to an end, leading incredibly busy lives that sometimes keep us apart for weeks at a time. Kaylee, now living in Montreal and one of the first of us to leave Ottawa, is blessed to have another, Montreal-based group of incredible female friends. But, when she comes to town we always make plans to get together, no matter how busy our lives are. . . which makes me think, it’s important to continue to make time for those who live a few blocks away, for they may be within arms reach now but sooner than later they, too, will  veer onto another course, pursue another city and another life.

It’s a funny time in our lives. As young women, we are all trying to find our way, constantly making plans and changing plans. Sometimes we plan for months and sometimes things change in the blink of an eye. Opportunities arise and with those opportunities, sad goodbyes often follow.  In the words of someone who always seemed to say it best (Carrie Bradshaw), ” . . .things change, so do cities, people come into your life and they go. But it’s comforting to know that the ones you love are always in your heart… and if you’re very lucky, a plane ride away.” So even though it only happens now and again,  here’s to one night when we can be together, reunited in the city where our love affair first began. In a nutshell, there’s really nothing better.