Talking Long

I have this friend, a girl, who I can talk with for long, long, long amounts of time and I don't feel exhausted or like looking for a way to duck out of the conversation. Literal hours can go by and I won't have thought once, "gosh, I just want to escape this conversation. PLEASE get me OUT of this." And that doesn't happen often. Conversation with people can be so hugely draining. With some people you smile too much, search too hard for topics, ask too many questions, don't know when to pause or when to speak, how much to tell, or when to stop. And then with people like my friend, I never have to think about what we're going to speak of next, or how to phrase my question, or if my words are coming out sounding intelligent. I speak and I feel heard, I listen and I enjoy it. That connection feels really valuable. To find verbal connections with people on that level with that ease is a gift. A gift I am taking full stock of and bending my head with appreciation for tonight.