Grow Together

It is easy to fall into the habit of telling someone that we love them and that we are there for them. But love is a verb. Important words like “I love you” have little meaning if they are not in accord with our actions.

If you love someone, be a presence in their lives. Spend quality time with them, sharing experiences, not spending time in the same room while you both focus on different tasks. Focus on each other and the experiences you have together. Laugh together. Play together. Explore together. Make memories together.

Be emotionally present. All too often, we shy away from expressing our emotions, sharing our hopes, fears, or dreams for the relationship. To share is to make ourselves vulnerable, and to be vulnerable is scary. A relationship will not thrive in silence.

Share your thoughts and feelings, whether they are founded in happiness or disappointment. Be honest and transparent. Learn to express your emotions as you experience them. Communicate. Don’t assume that your partner or friend knows what you want or how you feel. Share your dreams, your hopes, and your goals, and ask them to share theirs, too. For any relationship to thrive, both parties need to be clear about their needs. Doing so will help you grow together, not apart.