Some of my most treasured memories have come from the simplest of moments—like sitting shoulder-to-shoulder in a restaurant booth, deep in conversation with my daughter. I remember when she was four, telling me—completely seriously—that she had a periscope in her brain, “just like the pirates,” so she could see through things. She described the inside of my face and ears with a level of detail and imagination that left me both laughing and completely in awe.
It’s moments like these that remind me just how powerful conversation really is.
Now that my girls are older, our talks have evolved—there’s still laughter, but now there are questions about friendship, identity, purpose, pressure, and dreams. And what hasn’t changed is how meaningful it is to make space for these conversations, without distraction.
When our kids see us tuning in—not half-listening while answering emails or scrolling, but really listening—they light up. They feel seen, heard, and valued. That connection builds trust. And trust builds everything else.
When we engage in real conversations, we’re doing more than talking—we’re teaching. We’re modeling empathy, curiosity, communication. We’re giving them a safe place to explore their thoughts and build their voice. These everyday exchanges are shaping the people they are becoming.
And it’s not just about parenting—it’s about all of our relationships. When I think back to my first date with my husband, I remember every detail: the restaurant, the laughter, what we were wearing, the energy in the room. But most of all, I remember the conversation. We talked for hours. We went from dinner to coffee to dessert just to keep the conversation going. We were fully present with each other. And guess what wasn’t anywhere in sight? Cell phones, TV, or any of the distractions that so often pull us away from the moment.
How often do we allow that kind of uninterrupted connection anymore?
We live in a world of pings, alerts, and endless notifications. But the moments that shape our lives—the ones we hold on to—usually start with a conversation. A look across the table. A question asked. A story shared.
This is what being present is all about.
Letting go of the noise.
Making room for the people in front of you.
Choosing connection over convenience.
So how do we do it?
We ask questions.
We make eye contact.
We listen without rushing to respond.
We turn dinner into dialogue, car rides into connection, and ordinary moments into memories.
Because when we talk—really talk—we remind each other that we matter. And that’s something worth showing up for.
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