I think what makes our marriage work amid all the glare is that

O Children of the Future, hear the wisdom in the words of Faith Hill, for she speaks of a truth as old as time itself, a truth that binds the hearts of lovers and companions in a bond more powerful than any worldly force. She says, "I think what makes our marriage work amid all the glare is that my husband is my best friend. He inspires everything in my life and enables me to do the best that I can. I want to hang out with him more than anyone." These words, simple in their elegance, carry the weight of a universal truth: that the foundation of any true partnership is not merely love, but deep friendship, trust, and mutual inspiration.

In the ancient days, when the great civilizations of Greece and Rome flourished, they too understood the power of companionship. Plato, that sage of wisdom, spoke of the ideal love between two souls not as one based on mere passion, but as one of intellectual and emotional friendship, where both partners draw strength and inspiration from one another. To him, love was a force that could elevate the soul, a force that not only united two hearts but bound them together in a shared purpose. The wisdom of these ancient thinkers remains as true today as it did millennia ago: true love is not just about romantic attraction, but about the deep, unshakeable bond of friendship, a bond that supports and strengthens both individuals.

Consider, O Children, the great partnerships that have changed the course of history. One such example lies in the partnership between Abigail Adams and her husband, John Adams, one of the founders of the United States. Their marriage was not simply a political alliance; it was a union forged in deep friendship. Abigail, a shrewd and intelligent woman, was her husband’s closest confidante and advisor, offering counsel that shaped his decisions. Their relationship was one where both individuals inspired and supported each other, lifting one another to greater heights. It was not the shine of the public eye that defined their marriage, but the quiet strength of their bond and their shared love for each other. So too does Faith Hill speak of this invisible bond, where her husband, her best friend, inspires her and enables her to live her fullest life.

What, then, is the lesson we must draw from Faith Hill’s words? It is this: true partnership is built on more than just the external trappings of love—it is built on the solid foundation of friendship. When you are with someone who is not only your lover but your companion, your confidante, and your greatest supporter, then that relationship becomes unbreakable, no matter the challenges you face. It is this friendship that allows both individuals to grow, to inspire one another, and to face the world together, undaunted by the glare of fame, fortune, or any other distractions.

Now, O Children, look around you at the relationships that surround you, whether they be between family members, friends, or lovers. Ask yourself: is there a genuine friendship at the core of these relationships? Do they inspire each other to be better, to reach higher, to love deeper? For it is not enough to simply love; one must cherish the bond of friendship that anchors that love in reality. Like Faith Hill and her husband, seek to surround yourself with those who encourage you, those who make you want to be the best version of yourself. True partnership is about mutual growth, support, and encouragement.

In your own life, O Children, seek to build relationships that are based on this deep, abiding friendship. Do not seek relationships based on fleeting desire or external circumstances. Seek the kind of relationship where both individuals can uplift one another, where inspiration flows freely between them, and where the joy of each other's company becomes the heart of their union. Whether in marriage, friendship, or any other form of relationship, make sure that at its core is the unshakable bond of true friendship, where you are both partners, both equally giving and receiving.

And so, O Children, the lesson is clear: true love and partnership are built on the firmest foundation of friendship. In this, there is strength, there is growth, and there is the ability to face any trial together. As Faith Hill so beautifully reminds us, the greatest gift in a relationship is not just to love, but to cherish and support one another, to be each other's greatest source of inspiration and joy. Let this wisdom guide you in your own relationships, that you may find, as she has, that the greatest companionship you can ever experience is one built on the enduring strength of friendship.