I had always believed that being alone was a valid choice. Not building a home was just as valid as being in a relationship and starting a family. My wish to be alone felt like a personal decision. It did not seem like the result of a lifetime of choices that pushed me in that direction. That way of thinking changed drastically recently.

A few months ago, I had to face a delicate and painful personal situation. It wasn’t an emergency, nor was it out of control. Still, I felt completely alone. I was unable to share that difficult moment with anyone. My home felt emptier than ever, and I had to take a few days off to think. I realized how wrong I had been. It’s easy to face solitude when everything is going well. We feel we can walk through life on our own and that we don’t need anyone. But when things turn difficult, having someone to hold your hand and say “hey, let’s face this together” becomes essential.

Solitude is sometimes inevitable and even necessary. It’s addictive because of the peace, silence, and calm it brings into our lives. It helps us reconnect with ourselves and regain control. But it is definitely not a permanent choice we should rely on. Living with someone is hard. Building a home together can be challenging. Sometimes we just want to walk out the door and never come back. But growing old alone is much harder. It makes no difference whether you leave the house or return to it. We need to build a home where someone is always waiting for us—with love, compassion, and warmth.

Cherish the person who walks beside you; not everyone is granted that blessing…