“As children we found ways to protect ourselves from vulnerability from being hurt, diminished, and disappointed.

“As children we found ways to protect ourselves from vulnerability from being hurt, diminished, and disappointed. We put on armor…. Now as adults we realize that to live with courage, purpose, and connection- to be the person whom we long to be – we must again be vulnerable. We must take off the armor, put down the weapons, show up and let ourselves be seen.” – Brene Brown
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I love this quote because it defines a lot of my journey through friendship in adulthood. Casting off the armor, living with courage and purpose and pursuing real connection with others.
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I never dreamed that in living on the road this past 3 years I’d have so many opportunities for real connection with others and that it could happen so quickly.
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No, not every friendship has been awesome and there have been times that my willingness to be vulnerable has been met with hurt and betrayal.
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But more times than not, vulnerability has brought me amazing friendships that I believe will last a lifetime.

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Like these amazing people that we hiked Rocky Mountain National Park with! We met one day while hanging by the pool and the next day we were hiking up mountains together chatting as if we’d known each other all our lives.
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This kind of instant connection has blown me away and I will be forever grateful that God has used our RV journey to show us how many awesome humans there are in this world!
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So if you are on the journey of making new friends in adulthood, remember not all people will be “your” people and that’s ok. Eventually, if you have the courage not to hide behind the facades, you will find the people that get you and they will become “your” people and that connection will come easily!