Relationship Deepener

Question: What can I do this week to strengthen a personal relationship?

My Story:

As her younger daughter prepares to walk down the aisle this October, Alicia recently found herself pausing in the middle of the bridal shower, soaking in the moment. Looking around the room, she was surrounded by women from every chapter of her life: friends from high school and college, neighbors old and new, moms she met through her kids who are now close friends in their own right. That moment of reflection hit her deeply: she has built a life full of meaningful, lasting relationships, and for that, she feels immense gratitude.

Alicia’s always prioritized real connection. After moving full-time to a new town, where she once had a vacation home, it would’ve been easy to feel disconnected. But instead, she leaned into what came naturally: forming tighter, deeper relationships with the people around her. Between working full time and building a new community, having a strong support system became more than a comfort; it was essential.

Being optimistic and seeing the bright side of things helps her connect with others in a way that feels both easy and meaningful. Alicia admits she doesn’t do surface-level chit chat well, and she’s okay with that. Her relationships go deep because she shows up. She answers every call. She’s the kind of friend people can count on, not just in good times but in the hard ones, too.

Her ability to truly see people, what they’re going through, what they need, even when they can’t express it, energizes her. Recently, she’s been there for a friend going through an incredibly tough time. Her instinct to support and show up isn’t just her sense of responsibility; it’s her Relationship Deepener strength in action. She can imagine what others are feeling, and because of that, she steps up in exactly the ways they need most.

Of course, there’s a challenge that comes with caring this much. Sometimes, she expects others to operate in the same way, always available and always present. But Alicia is learning to let people show up in their own way and appreciate them for what they can give, even if it doesn’t look exactly as she would.

For Alicia, the strength of Relationship Deepener isn’t just about closeness; it’s about presence, trust, and the willingness to meet people right where they are.

“Being able to truly connect with people, to be the one they can count on, through anything, that’s what fills me up. My relationships are deep because I show up, and I always will.”

- Alicia