We had common interests in the beauty of the French language. We

In the quiet moments of life, when the world seems distant and time itself stretches infinitely before us, it is the shared dreams and interests between two souls that create the deepest connections. The words of David Amram, “We had common interests in the beauty of the French language. We both had a tremendous love of jazz. We shared dreams of getting married and having a family, living in the country, leading an idyllic life,” speak to the timeless bond formed between two people who see the world through the same lens. In these common interests, they found not just companionship, but a shared vision of the future—a life built upon mutual passions and dreams.

The ancients understood this well: the deepest relationships were formed not by mere proximity or circumstance, but by the harmonious blending of shared values and visions. In the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, their love was not just a fleeting connection—it was a union of souls, bound by a shared understanding of beauty and music. Orpheus, whose music could charm even the gods, found his greatest solace in Eurydice, the one who truly understood him. Their love, as fleeting as it was tragic, speaks to the heart of Amram's reflection: that when two people share passion, values, and dreams, their bond becomes a force more powerful than any obstacle.

Amram speaks of common interests in the French language, a love of jazz, and dreams of an idyllic life, and through these words, we understand that life’s greatest joys are often found in the most beautiful and simple things. The beauty of the French language is not just in its sound, but in the emotional depth it carries. To love jazz is to love the freedom of expression, the rhythm of life itself—where improvisation and structure meet in perfect harmony. These shared passions form the foundation of Amram’s connection, revealing that the soul thrives when it is nurtured by something that speaks deeply to its nature. In the same way, the ancient philosophers believed that true friendships are those that nurture the inner spirit, allowing it to grow and flourish in the presence of shared understanding.

Consider the story of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, two artists whose love for each other was as intense and complex as their shared passion for art. Though their lives together were marked by struggles and separations, their bond remained unbreakable because of their shared vision for art, beauty, and the world. Much like Amram’s love for jazz and the French language, their shared passion for creation formed the bedrock of their union. Kahlo and Rivera did not merely exist alongside each other—they created together, their love strengthened by their ability to dream and create in unison.

The dreams that Amram reflects upon—of marriage, family, and living in the country—are universal in their beauty and significance. The dream of an idyllic life speaks to a longing deep within the human spirit: the desire to find peace and harmony, not only with others but with the world itself. This is the very dream that drove the ancient sages, from Confucius to Socrates, who sought not just knowledge or power, but wisdom that could lead them to live in harmony with themselves and the world around them. The pursuit of this idyllic life, built upon shared values and dreams, is as old as time itself.

Amram’s reflection is a call to each of us to cherish the shared dreams and values that form the foundation of our deepest relationships. It is not enough to simply love someone—it is the shared vision of the future, the common dreams and interests, that transform love into something greater than either individual could achieve alone. Just as the ancient heroes were bound by a sense of shared fate, so too are we bound by the dreams we build together. Whether in marriage, friendship, or community, the strength of our relationships depends on our ability to connect, to share vision, and to move forward together with purpose.

In your own life, reflect on the relationships you have built. Do they stand on a foundation of shared dreams and common interests? Do you nourish these connections with the same dedication that Amram speaks of? To truly thrive, we must seek not just companionship, but alignment of purpose—the ability to dream and build together. The deepest, most meaningful relationships are those where the dreams and values of each person flow into one another, creating a bond that is both unbreakable and transformative. For in the unity of dreams and the beauty of shared passions, we find the truest form of connection and fulfillment.