As the deciduous trees began to show the first tentative signs of budding, we took a forest walk through the Vashon firs as evening approached, listening to the sound of our footfalls on muddy, thawing ground, and heard the first Raven call of the year creaking out of the dark wood in the distance. My heart feels full after spending an evening laughing with cherished friends, and I am happy to have escaped the city and all the noise of life for a while.