honor your partner’s dreams

We all have dreams but a majority of us find it challenging to pursue them. Life happens and it can get tough to fulfill our dreams while maintaining a full-time job, taking care of our family and addressing the needs of our loved ones. But if you’re in a relationship, this is an area where your partner can help you out, and vice-versa.

Partners should always support each other in achieving their individual dreams and this may mean sacrificing their own ones. In order for your partner to achieve their dreams, sometimes it’s necessary to put yours on hold. When the time comes, they will reciprocate in the same way as well.

In the book Eight Dates, co-authors Doug and Rachel Abrams share their story of love and sacrifice. As their relationship began, they were always together and totally in love. But then Doug decided he wanted to go to Israel for a year to explore and align with his roots. While initially not happy, Rachel decided to support him and encouraged him to go.

After his return, Doug decided to reunite with her in New York and focus on his career. But then, Rachel’s dreams had changed. She was inclined to go to medical school 3,000 miles away from New York. Doug knew it was his time to help Rachel out. So he gave up his dream of living in New York and decided to move with her. Through his sacrifice, Doug was able to make Rachel feel loved.

Through both these experiences, Rachel and Doug understood the importance of sacrifice in creating long-lasting love. They learned that honoring each other’s dreams sometimes means that they need to put their own on hold.

This notion of sacrifice aligns well with a quote from the movie Spider-Man 2: “Sometimes, to do what’s right, we have to be steady, and give up the things we want the most. Even our dreams.” After all, in order to love well and live well, we need to give well too.