Connections

The most important thing in this life is connection. Connection with a God, connection with others. In that order. Period.

Honestly, I could end this post with that. However, since I'm so much better at being verbose and rambling, why don't I do that instead?

I had coffee with a friend this evening. Actually, that's a lie- I drank coffee and then we talked in Starbucks for three hours until they escorted us out the door (literally). REGARDLESS, I got together with a dear friend and we shared our hearts. We laughed, we teared up, we got angry, we got sad, we understood one another: We connected. Connection fulfills. It brings peace. What a wonderful feeling to know that someone understands you or, even better, wants to understand you.

I had (okay, have) a bad speech habit of saying, "You know?" after nearly every sentence. In all honesty, it's gotten better and now only do it about once every paragraph. And yes, I speak in paragraphs, you know? When I really sat down and thought about why I would have this little audible quirk, I realized that it made perfect sense! I want to be understood. I want to be told, "Yes, I understand what you mean." I want validation from the person with whom I'm speaking. And if I'm not getting the visual or verbal cues that I desire from my conversation partner, I feel this pressing urge to confirm that they are connecting with what I'm saying. You know?

But when I am understood, when the stars align, and a connection is made, all is right with the world. And the cost of a Grande Non Fat Caramel Machiatto and the embarressment of being escorted out of Starbucks were completely worth it.