If you’ve read some of my earlier posts, then you know it is no secret that I miss my family and friends back in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  Having been born, raised, and lived my entire life in the same town, I came to get used to the fact that the people I knew and loved were always near.  I may not see them every day, or every week, but just knowing they were nearby was a comfort.  But, as with many things in life, you don’t realize just how much that is true until, one day, it no longer is true.

I’ve met many people here in OKC, and am meeting more and more as time goes on.  Each one as wonderful as the last.  But it’s just not the same.  It’s not bad, mind you.  Nor lesser.  Just different.  And I know that is to be expected.  It took me 41 years to build up the list of friends, acquaintances, and coworkers I came to know and love in good ol’ Kzoo.  And thankfully, I have modern technology and social media with which to keep in touch with those people I miss.  But it’s just not the same as seeing them face to face.

Which is why I was SO very excited to find out one of them was coming to Oklahoma City.

Sandra Cochrane is with the National Business Incubation Association, and travels a LOT.  There’s only a handful of people I know personally who travel as much as this woman.  In fact, she travels SO much, really it was just a matter of time before she landed in OKC. (Side note: I’m not certain of this, but I think she’s almost got enough frequent flyer miles to buy O’Hare airport.  That’s purely speculation on my part.)  Luckily for me the NBIA had a conference here, and Sandra came to attend.  Not only that, but there was a window of opportunity for us to sit and chat while she was in town.

I know this will sound corny, but those few minutes talking and laughing with a friend from “back home” meant the world to me.  I hope she enjoyed it even half as much as I did.

To all my OKC friends who may be reading this: I hope you don’t take offense.  You’re all great, and I know we’ll get there eventually.  Hopefully it won’t take 41 more years, but we’ll get there.  😉