unexpected

i love when God brings joy and love in unexpected things and through unexpected people. i love the people i live with and i definitely appreciate them, but i don't think i truly loved them until recently. you know how the old saying goes "absence makes the heart grow fonder," well, that truly has made itself manifest today.
is this true with God? pastors always say to spend daily time with God and in His Word and i don't doubt this as a necessity as a follower of Christ, however, as a mere academic exercise, as we become distant from God, does one's soul thirst for God even more? is there a longing to be in the presence of God as there is an increased time without Him? did the disciples ever spend time away from Jesus Christ, so long to return to His company, and then, when they were with Him again, draw closer to Him?
i dunno. just questions. how it all ties together, i don't really know, but welcome to a slice of my complicated brain.