November:  Love as Interdependence

What is interdependent love?

An interdependent relationship is a type of relationship dynamic where both partners recognize the importance of their emotional bond while having a solid sense of who they are as individuals outside of their relationship. Most of us grow up believing that our romantic partners are supposed to “complete” us. Some of us even imagine that friends and others are here to uphold who and what we are. This is not always the case. We have to often negotiate the parameters of our relationships.  We should never assume what the context is. Right relationship requires us to check in with each other.

Examples of interdependency in relationships may include those between platonic long term housemates or partners; siblings; or between an adult child who lives with, and cares for, an aging parent on a long-term basis. There are other relationships, too. This month will allow us to unpack the notion of ‘Love as Interdependence’. 

Caring for ourselves, our families, our friendships, our neighborhoods, our CONGREGATION, our state, country, and world takes a lot of work!  Interdependence isn’t easy. It is however, what we humans do.  In the words of another songwriter, Nat King Cole.

“Love is all that I can give to you…”

If that is true then we’ve got a lot to look at through the lens of Interdependence this month.