Historian Lily Pearl Balloffet, who studies South-South connections between Latin America and the Middle East, shares her insights on how the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted vital human relationships in historical research. She reflects on emotional bonds formed through history, the profound loss of a mentor, and navigating grief during the pandemic. Lily also emphasizes the transformative power of friendships in academia, while intertwining themes of nature, memory, and the impact of personal connections in shaping one's scholarly journey.