Recently, people who I have not seen for many years have contacted me and it got me thinking how many people I have met, crossed paths with in my life. Not just in a friend or acquaintance capacity but also work colleagues, clients, trade and business people and even strangers that I might have exchanged words with briefly. Even those brief messages and responses via social media can turn into a longer lasting connection.
Some people enter our lives for only a short season, while others remain woven into our lives forever. What’s fascinating is how, even after years apart, certain people can reappear as though no time has passed. A chance conversation, a message out of the blue, or an unexpected meeting can rekindle a friendship that still feels familiar. These moments remind us that genuine connections don’t always disappear—they sometimes simply wait for the right moment to return.
Meaningful connections are built on trust, kindness, respect, and authenticity. They aren’t about how many people we know or how busy our social calendars are. Instead, they’re about feeling seen, valued, and accepted for who we truly are. Healthy relationships encourage growth rather than fear, honesty rather than pretence, and support rather than competition.
One of my values is loyalty and I will work hard at maintaining friendships but only to a point. People don’t become “not friends” as in the playground, but instead just drift out of my life, and that’s ok. Connecting with those that make you feel good, supported, heard are the relationships that endure.
Just as people leave my life so new ones come in. A conversation that connects something in me can lead to continuing to get to know this person more. During lockdown on one of my many walks I bumped (not literally) into the same people out and about. With one, I felt that we could become friends so I asked her round for a socially distance coffee, and we’re still friends today! Sometimes it’s a start of a lifelong relationship, other times it is more fleeting.
As we move through life, it’s natural for relationships to change. Careers, families, distance, and life’s unexpected twists can pull people in different directions. Yet some connections remain quietly alive beneath the surface. When those people return, they often bring memories of who we once were and remind us of the qualities we’ve carried all along. Sometimes they arrive exactly when we need encouragement, perspective, or simply a familiar face.
The same can be said for our connection with animals. They teach us lessons that words often cannot. Animals love without judgment, offer comfort without expectation, and remind us to be present in the moment.
Connection is not measured by time but by impact. Some people stay for decades, others disappear and return years later, yet the bond remains. Animals may only be with us for part of our lives, but the love they give stays in our hearts forever.
Connection with others and animals is one of the greatest investments we can make. These connections enrich our lives, strengthen our resilience, and remind us that love, kindness, and companionship have a way of finding us, even after many years apart.
“We are like islands in the sea, separate on the surface but connected in the deep.”
William James