There are a myriad of ways to nourish relationships. A kiss when you leave the house. Anniversary dates. Sitting together at social events. Smiles across the table. While it is possible, even prudent at times, to stick to the familiar patterns occasional shake ups have their place too.

The conference has been a valuable touchstone for a fluid group of a hundred plus people. Some attend without fail. Others trade off with other commitments. Yet more crossed the threshold for the first time last week. 

The time has arrived when we will be exploring other ways to connect. 

All told the conference spanned twelve hours. Sixteen if you also attended the fancy dinner. We will be quartering that time into four less ambitious events in the next year. A single presenter on an afternoon. A couple of come as you are activities. Dinner and dancing. 

I find it interesting that the marriage group I have belonged to for eighteen months is in a similar space of change. While it is not broken, some of us feel ready for a shift. Another book perhaps. A different focus in our check ins. I am grateful that we feel stable enough to move into a new normal.

Relationships inevitably must endure the uncertain. The good thing is that that ambiguity holds hands with what will not change.