"Um... yes. The past two years, for example, felt longer than that. In a good way. And the time before that... felt like an eternity." [Her gaze darted back to her tea, the new cup untouched.] "But... I'm at least grateful for it. If the before hadn't have happened, then I wouldn't have found myself where I belong... or at least, I might not have ended up here either."

[She couldn't quite be sure about that. In an attempt to change the subject...] "What about you?"