I’m rarely late. But when you enter through the back of a building, your friend enters through the front, and several floors sit between you, it quickly becomes clear this was never going to be an on-time meeting.
I navigated through floors, a coffee house, the library, and meeting rooms, networking as I went. Somewhere along the way, one man joked that I’d probably come across people in the building who’d got lost in the mid-eighteenth century and still hadn’t found the exit. I found it extremely funny and unexpectedly refreshing to laugh so much with a total stranger on floor two.
I was hotter than the sun by the time I arrived. I’d definitely achieved my steps for the day and networked like a pro on the way.
But I emerged at the front of the building to the most glorious sight: my beautiful friend, draped in monochrome, wearing a smile that could welcome any lost soul wandering through that space.
We nestled into a place where time slowed down. We shot the breeze, threw ideas around the room, and casually networked as people passed by. Coffee was consumed, laughter flowed freely, and for a moment, everything felt exactly as it should.
We’ve shared highs and lows over the years and were brought back together at a time when we probably needed it most. This friend was a foundational part of my early days in the city, when I was young, green, and finding my feet. We worked hard, played harder, and came out the other side still here, still laughing, and still holding the mutual respect that’s always defined our relationship.
Changing your environment changes your thought patterns. It shifts your direction and fuels your passion. As we reflected on the past six months, we celebrated the small but dynamic team we were and had become again, older and wiser, yet still full of energy, drive, and belief. Sometimes, stepping out of familiar slippers and into uncomfortable shoes is exactly what’s needed for growth.
Together, we built a foundation of stability and trust, something we can always return to. That foundation makes decision-making more transparent, problem-solving more efficient, and navigating the inevitable bumps in the road far more intentional.
Some connections don’t just stand the test of time; they evolve with it.
I could easily tie this back to mediation, after all, child arrangement plans are built on strong foundations that create stability, trust, and room to grow…
…But today, I want to acknowledge friendships. The people who walk alongside us, who listen, show up, make us laugh, and remind us who we are when things feel heavy. Their presence matters more than we sometimes realise. We don’t have to do things alone. We are stronger together. 💛
Growth happens between the floors
