For me essence of life is family (of course) and shortly thereafter friends. The friends that you discuss life with. Where you are 100% honest in your believes and opinions. Where the people listen to listen, not to talk answer but really listen. Where 6 hrs, feels like 2.
This weekend was all about those friends. Friends who we had for a quarter of a century (!) and probably knows us better than ourselves.
And then I winter bathing 2.5 times in 2.7 C (36.9 F) degrees water.