Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel The One Who Stays and the One Who Goes
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Nov 10, 2025 A couple navigates the challenges of long-distance love as one travels the globe for work. They grapple with the emotional toll of separation, with one feeling lonely while the other wrestles with guilt. Conversations about starting a family hit roadblocks, revealing deep-seated trust issues and different readiness for parenthood. The couple learns to communicate better, balancing problem-solving with emotional support. Through Esther's guidance, they uncover how childhood experiences shape their current choices and connection.
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Shared Reality Versus Divergent Paths
- Long-distance work creates divergent daily realities that force couples to renegotiate shared meaning and communication.
- Differentiation after shared training demands intentional conversations about identity, needs, and future plans.
Fieldwork Passion Creates Return Strain
- He describes international work in Kenya as life-changing and deeply fulfilling for personal growth and relationships there.
- She experiences his return as difficult because his joyful stories can make her feel excluded and minimized.
Midnight Snowblower Moment
- She recounts a four a.m. snowblower crisis when he was away and felt abandoned clearing a long driveway before work.
- He remembers calling a neighbor to plow later, but the emotional impact on her remained significant.