I want to be more connected with her….

That means slowing down, listening fully, and not rushing so much. I rush too much — not just in words, but in how I move through conversations. I feel urgency, but urgency isn’t connection. Presence is.

If I really want to understand her, I need to start by watching — her tone, her eyes, how she frames her thoughts… and it seems like I always miss that…. I miss that, I miss the meaning.

She should be the centerpiece. and my focus should be on the centerpiece… not myself. The table is big enough to hold both our stories, but hers deserves to be laid out first. Once I see her full plate, then I can think about what I bring to it. Not just for the sake of speaking, but to respond with care, with clarity, with intention.

Connection starts with patience. And I want to be better at that.