But recently, it’s been occurring daily, sometimes several times a day. And I’m being asked to answer some specific questions.

Why does this shuttle mission feel so personal?

Why do NASA and the space program seem so vital to me now?

Why did I ignore my friends for an hour this morning while I sat, glued to my iPhone, following every tweet with a mixture of longing, jealousy, excitement and pride?

Why did I cry (well, sob) when Atlantis finally touched down, my relief and joy mingled with a sense of sadness at the completion of the mission?

The answer to all of these questions is straightforward- all because of the STS-129 NASA Tweetup.

But the explanation is more complicated.

The truth is, I don’t quite understand it myself. I’m a reasonably intelligent person. I’m a self-professed Geek. But I’m no rocket scientist.

I can’t really explain how a homeschooling mom who loves space and science turned into a Space Tweep. I can’t account for the seemingly magical honor of attending the tweetup. I just don’t get it- why me?

But I know I’m grateful. I know I’m humbled. I know I’m honored to have met the amazing people I did. I know I’m lucky to have seen the things I did. I know I’m happy to have felt the emotions I felt.

I don’t profess to have the knowledge, the expertise or the years of passion of my fellow NASA Tweetup attendees.

But I do have one thing now: a deep, personal and abiding love for our space program. And I also have the excitement and the dedication and the energy to share that love with everyone I know.

So, my friends and family will have to get used to my obsession. They’ll have to just accept that this is part of me now. I’m a geeky space fangirl. And I love it.