I don't see silly and unrealistic, I see so much growth and change in you, too, rainbow!

I like to think about change (but don't like it either :-) and the difference between when I would leave my friends and move versus when someone at work would quit and I'd be left, etc. It sounds to me like not only your T is changing with her contacts and sophistication but you are too, actually working on getting the passports and going on the trip, etc.