200+ Quotes About Change in Relationships That Will Transform Your Perspective

October 2, 2025 deskablog 25 min read

Change happens in every relationship we experience. Whether you’re dating someone new or have been married for decades, your connection will evolve over time. Sometimes this evolution brings us closer together. Other times, it shows us we’re growing in different directions.

Luckily, we’re not alone in facing these relationship changes. Many wise people have shared their thoughts about love’s natural ups and downs. These quotes can help you understand what you’re feeling when your relationship shifts. They remind us that change doesn’t always mean something is wrong – it often means we’re growing as people.

Table of Contents

What Are the Most Common Types of Change in Relationships?

Relationships change in several ways as we move through different life stages. You might notice changes in how you talk to each other, how close you feel, what goals you share, or what matters most to you. These shifts happen naturally as both people grow and face new challenges together.

The most common changes include:

Growing closer through shared experiences
Developing new interests that may or may not align
Changes in life circumstances like careers or family
Personal growth that affects how you relate
Shifts in how you communicate and what you need
Different approaches to handling stress and conflict

Understanding these patterns helps us prepare for transitions instead of being surprised by them. When you know that change is normal, you can focus on adapting together rather than fighting the process.

How Do We Handle Growing Together vs Growing Apart?

Growing together means you both change in ways that work well together. Growing apart means your changes create distance between you. The direction your relationship takes often depends on how well you communicate during transitions and whether you make effort to stay connected.

When couples grow together, they:

Share new experiences and learn from them
Support each other’s individual goals
Adapt their relationship to accommodate changes
Keep talking openly about their changing needs
Find ways to blend their individual growth into their partnership

Growing apart happens when:

You stop sharing important parts of your life
Individual changes create conflict instead of harmony
Communication breaks down during stressful periods
You begin wanting very different things
Efforts to reconnect feel forced or don’t work

The key difference lies in whether you’re changing with each other or despite each other. Successful couples learn to navigate change as a team rather than as individuals who just happen to live together.

Quotes About Growing Together in Love

“We don’t grow when things are easy. We grow when we face challenges together.”
“Love isn’t about finding someone perfect. It’s about growing perfect together through imperfect moments.”
“The best relationships are those where both people become better versions of themselves.”
“We didn’t fall in love with who we were. We fell in love with who we were becoming together.”
“Growing together means celebrating each other’s changes instead of fearing them.”
“Two people who grow in the same direction will never grow apart.”
“Love grows stronger when we choose to evolve together rather than separately.”
“The couples who last are those who learn to dance with change instead of fighting it.”
“We’re not the same people who met years ago, and that’s exactly why our love has deepened.”
“Growing together requires patience, understanding, and the willingness to adapt.”
“Change becomes beautiful when we embrace it as partners.”
“Our love story isn’t about staying the same – it’s about growing in harmony.”
“The strongest couples are those who weather change together and come out stronger.”
“We’re writing our future together, one change at a time.”
“Growth is inevitable, but growing together is a choice we make daily.”

Many couples find that learning how to communicate better in relationships becomes crucial during periods of change. When both partners feel heard and understood, they’re more likely to navigate transitions successfully.

Quotes About Growing Apart Sadly

“Sometimes people grow in different directions, and that doesn’t make either path wrong.”
“We used to finish each other’s sentences. Now we can barely start a conversation.”
“Growing apart isn’t always dramatic. Sometimes it’s just a slow, quiet drift.”
“You can love someone deeply and still acknowledge that you’re no longer right for each other.”
“The hardest part about growing apart is realizing it happened gradually, then all at once.”
“We’re still good people. We’re just not good together anymore.”
“Sometimes love means letting go when staying would hurt you both.”
“Growing apart doesn’t erase the beautiful memories we created together.”
“You can’t force two people to grow in the same direction forever.”
“The end of us doesn’t diminish what we once meant to each other.”
“We became strangers who once knew everything about each other.”
“Our paths diverged, but I’m grateful they crossed at all.”
“Sometimes growing apart is growth, even when it hurts.”
“We outgrew our relationship, and that’s okay.”
“Distance doesn’t always mean physical space – sometimes it’s emotional miles.”

When relationships reach this point, you might find comfort in sad breakup quotes healing words for a broken heart that acknowledge the pain while offering hope for healing.

Why Do People Change in Relationships Over Time?

People change in relationships because personal growth never stops. Life keeps throwing new experiences at us that shape who we become. Your twenties bring different challenges than your forties. What mattered to you five years ago might not be your priority today.

Several things drive change in relationships:

Life stages and transitions: Getting married, having children, changing careers, or losing loved ones all impact how you relate to your partner
Individual personal growth: As you learn more about yourself, your needs and wants evolve
External pressures: Money stress, health issues, or family problems can change how your relationship works
New experiences: Travel, education, or meeting new people can shift your perspective
Getting older and wiser: You handle conflict, express love, and make decisions differently as you gain life experience

The question isn’t whether change will happen – it’s whether you’ll embrace it together or let it divide you. Understanding why people change helps you approach these shifts with curiosity rather than fear.

Quotes About Personal Growth in Relationships

“The person I am in this relationship is different from who I was before, and that’s growth.”
“We’re both evolving, and I love watching you become who you’re meant to be.”
“Individual growth doesn’t threaten our relationship – it strengthens it.”
“I fell in love with your potential, and I stay in love watching you reach it.”
“Growing as individuals makes us better partners to each other.”
“Your personal growth challenges me to grow too, and I’m grateful for that push.”
“We support each other’s journeys, even when they take us through unfamiliar territory.”
“Personal development is a gift we give ourselves and our relationships.”
“I’m not trying to change you – I’m trying to grow alongside you.”
“The best thing about loving you is seeing you discover new parts of yourself.”
“Growth is scary, but staying the same is scarier.”
“We encourage each other to become our fullest selves.”
“Personal evolution makes our love story more interesting.”
“I want to be with someone who inspires me to keep growing.”
“Our individual journeys make our shared path richer.”

For those navigating personal development within their relationships, exploring personal growth tips can provide valuable guidance on growing individually while maintaining strong partnerships.

What Should You Do When Your Partner Changes?

When your partner changes, focus on understanding why they’re evolving rather than trying to make them go back to who they were. Change often reflects growth, new insights, or responses to what’s happening in their life. Fighting these natural developments usually creates more problems than it solves.

Here’s how to handle your partner’s changes:

Ask questions with genuine curiosity – “What’s driving this change for you?” shows interest rather than judgment
Give them space to explain – Let them share their thoughts without immediately defending your position
Look for ways to support their growth – Even if you don’t understand it at first
Communicate your own needs clearly – Their changes might affect you, and that’s okay to discuss
Seek common ground – Find areas where your evolving selves can still connect
Be patient with the adjustment period – Both of you need time to adapt to new dynamics

Remember that change doesn’t automatically mean your relationship is doomed. Many couples come out stronger after successfully navigating transitions together.

Quotes About Accepting Change in Your Partner

“I fell in love with who you were, but I choose to love who you’re becoming.”
“Your changes don’t scare me – they show me you’re still growing.”
“Accepting your evolution means I’m committed to loving all versions of you.”
“I can’t control how you change, but I can control how I respond to it.”
“Loving you means supporting your journey, even when I don’t understand where you’re going.”
“Your growth might surprise me, but it doesn’t threaten us.”
“Change reveals new sides of who you are, and I want to discover them all.”
“I’m learning to love the person you’re becoming, not just the person you were.”
“Accepting your changes has taught me to accept my own evolution too.”
“We’re both works in progress, and that’s perfectly fine with me.”
“I choose curiosity over fear when you show me new sides of yourself.”
“Your transformation is part of your story, and I want to be part of that chapter.”
“Fighting your growth would be fighting your happiness.”
“I’m here for all versions of you – past, present, and future.”
“Change is how you show me you’re still alive and growing.”

Developing healthy relationship tips for couples becomes especially important during periods when one or both partners are experiencing significant changes.

How Do You Know When Relationship Changes Are Normal vs Concerning?

Normal relationship changes feel gradual and include both partners in what’s happening. Concerning changes feel sudden, secretive, or harmful to your connection. Healthy relationships bend and flex with life’s demands. Unhealthy relationships become rigid or chaotic during transitions.

Normal changes include:

Shifting priorities as you age or face new responsibilities
Developing new interests while keeping your core values
Changing how you communicate as you learn better ways to connect
Adapting intimacy patterns based on what’s happening in your lives
Growing more independent while staying committed

Concerning changes involve:

Sudden personality shifts that seem completely out of character
Secretive behavior or unwillingness to discuss what’s changing
Changes that consistently hurt or disrespect you
Evolution that moves you toward completely incompatible life goals
Changes that require you to compromise your most important values

Trust your gut feelings. If changes feel healthy and growth-oriented, they probably are. If they feel destructive or manipulative, recognizing signs of toxic behavior in relationships can help you identify red flags.

Quotes About Recognizing Healthy vs Unhealthy Change

“Healthy change brings us closer to who we really are and to each other.”
“When change feels secretive or manipulative, it’s time to ask harder questions.”
“Good changes challenge us to grow. Bad changes ask us to shrink.”
“Trust your instincts when something feels off about how your partner is changing.”
“Healthy evolution includes honesty and mutual respect.”
“Changes that require you to lose yourself aren’t changes worth making.”
“Growth should feel like expanding, not restricting or fearful.”
“When change becomes about control rather than development, it’s crossed a line.”
“Positive changes make us better people. Negative changes make us smaller.”
“You have the right to question changes that consistently hurt you.”
“Healthy change invites conversation. Unhealthy change demands silence.”
“Growth that cuts you off from loved ones isn’t really growth.”
“True evolution brings out the best in both partners.”
“Change should feel like opening doors, not closing them.”
“Concerning changes make you question your own sense of reality.”

What Are the Best Quotes About Letting Go in Relationships?

Letting go in relationships means releasing control over outcomes you can’t influence while staying committed to what you can control. Sometimes this means letting go of who your partner used to be. Other times it means releasing your grip on how you thought things would turn out.

Letting go doesn’t always mean ending the relationship. Often it means:

Releasing unrealistic expectations
Accepting that some changes are permanent
Giving up the need to control your partner’s choices
Allowing natural consequences to happen
Focusing on your own growth instead of trying to fix them

Interestingly, letting go often brings couples closer together. When you stop trying to force outcomes, you create space for real connection to emerge.

Quotes About Letting Go and Moving Forward

“Letting go doesn’t mean giving up. It means accepting what you cannot control.”
“Sometimes the most loving thing you can do is release your grip.”
“I’m learning to love you without trying to change you.”
“Letting go of how things used to be makes room for how things could become.”
“You can’t hold onto someone who’s determined to leave, and trying will only hurt you both.”
“Freedom comes when you stop trying to control someone else’s journey.”
“Letting go is an act of love – for them and for yourself.”
“Release your expectations, and you might discover something even better.”
“The tighter you hold on, the more likely you are to lose what you’re trying to keep.”
“Letting go creates space for new possibilities to enter.”
“Sometimes love means setting someone free, even when it breaks your heart.”
“I release you to become who you need to be, even if it’s without me.”
“Holding on to what’s gone prevents you from embracing what’s coming.”
“Letting go isn’t a one-time event – it’s something you practice daily.”
“Freedom is found in releasing what was never yours to control anyway.”

Those struggling with letting go might benefit from reading deep breakup quotes heartbreak healing and moving for additional perspective on releasing relationships that no longer serve us.

How Do Life Changes Affect Relationships?

Major life changes create stress that can either strengthen relationships through shared challenges or weaken them if partners handle the pressure differently. Events like job loss, illness, moving, or family changes test how well couples adapt together.

Common life changes that impact relationships:

Career transitions: New jobs, unemployment, or career shifts change daily routines and stress levels
Family additions: Having children, caring for aging parents, or blending families
Health challenges: Physical or mental health issues affect intimacy and daily life
Money changes: Financial stress impacts decision-making and future planning
Moving: Relocating disrupts social networks and familiar environments
Loss and grief: Death of loved ones changes your perspective on life and relationships

The couples who do well during major changes are those who see challenges as opportunities to deepen their connection rather than threats to their stability.

Quotes About Adapting to Life Changes Together

“Life keeps changing, but we keep choosing each other through it all.”
“Every challenge we face together makes us stronger as a team.”
“Change is inevitable, but how we handle it together is our choice.”
“We’re learning that flexibility is the secret to lasting love.”
“Life’s curveballs are easier to handle when you have a good teammate.”
“Change tests relationships, but it also reveals their true strength.”
“We adapt, we adjust, and we keep loving through whatever comes.”
“Outside changes can’t shake us when our foundation is solid.”
“Every transition teaches us something new about loving each other.”
“We’re not the same couple who started this journey, and that’s our strength.”
“Change brings uncertainty, but it also brings opportunity for deeper connection.”
“We face the unknown together, and that makes us fearless.”
“Life keeps evolving, and so does our love story.”
“Challenges reveal who we really are, both alone and as a couple.”
“We’ve learned to bend without breaking, to change without losing ourselves.”

Understanding how to stay connected during major transitions becomes crucial. Couples often find that asking the right questions to ask in a relationship helps them stay aligned during periods of change.

What About Seasonal Changes in Relationships?

Relationships naturally go through seasons, much like the weather. You’ll have periods of growth, harvest, quiet times, and renewal. These cycles are normal and expected in long-term partnerships. Understanding relationship seasons helps you weather the difficult times while appreciating the beautiful ones.

The seasons of love include:

Spring (New Growth): Early relationship excitement, new discoveries about each other, fresh starts after conflicts
Summer (Peak Connection): Times of deep intimacy, shared adventures, feeling most in sync
Fall (Harvest and Reflection): Gathering the fruits of your relationship work, deeper appreciation, preparing for challenges
Winter (Rest and Renewal): Quiet periods, working through difficulties, focusing on basics, preparing for new growth

Recognizing these natural rhythms prevents you from panicking during winter seasons or taking summer seasons for granted.

Quotes About Relationship Seasons and Cycles

“Every relationship has seasons – some warm, some cold, all necessary.”
“We’re in a winter season right now, but spring always follows.”
“I love you through all your seasons – bright and stormy alike.”
“Our relationship has cycles, and I’m committed to all of them.”
“Some days feel like spring in our love, others like deep winter.”
“The best relationships survive all four seasons and come back stronger.”
“We’re learning to appreciate both the sunshine and rain in our love story.”
“Difficult seasons in relationships make the beautiful ones even sweeter.”
“Every cycle teaches us something new about loving each other.”
“We don’t give up during winter – we prepare for spring.”
“Seasonal changes in love are natural, not signs of failure.”
“Our love has weathered many storms and celebrated many sunny days.”
“I’m grateful for all the seasons we’ve shared together.”
“Some seasons require more work, others more celebration.”
“We honor each season of our relationship for what it brings.”

How Do Communication Changes Affect Relationships?

Changes in how couples communicate often reflect deeper shifts in their relationship dynamics, comfort levels, and individual growth. You might notice that conversations flow differently now than they did months or years ago. These changes aren’t automatically good or bad – they’re information about where you are as a couple.

Communication evolution can include:

Developing deeper intimacy that allows for more vulnerable sharing
Growing apart emotionally, leading to more surface-level conversations
Learning better conflict resolution skills through experience
Becoming more comfortable with silence and space
Shifting from passionate debates to peaceful discussions
Changes in topics that interest both partners

Sometimes couples worry when their communication patterns shift. But often, these changes reflect maturity and growth rather than relationship problems.

Quotes About Communication Changes in Love

“We don’t talk the same way we used to, and that’s okay – we’re not the same people.”
“Our conversations have evolved from small talk to soul talk.”
“Sometimes silence says more than words ever could.”
“We’ve learned to listen with our hearts, not just our ears.”
“Communication isn’t just about talking – it’s about understanding.”
“We fight differently now – with more respect and less ego.”
“Our words carry more weight because we choose them more carefully.”
“We’ve discovered that timing matters as much as the message.”
“Learning to communicate has been learning to love better.”
“We speak each other’s language now, even when we’re not talking.”
“Our communication style reflects how much we’ve grown together.”
“We’ve moved from competing to collaborating in our conversations.”
“Understanding each other has become more important than being right.”
“We communicate through actions as much as words now.”
“Our ability to share difficult truths shows how strong we’ve become.”

Fortunately, many resources exist to help couples improve their communication skills. Learning about how to communicate better in relationships and exploring conversation topics to talk about with friends family can provide fresh ideas for maintaining connection.

What About Changes After Major Relationship Milestones?

Major relationship milestones often bring unexpected changes. Moving in together, getting engaged, marrying, or having children all shift the dynamic between partners. These transitions can feel overwhelming because they represent significant commitments and new responsibilities.

Common milestone-related changes:

Moving in together reveals daily habits and lifestyle differences
Engagement brings pressure and excitement about the future
Marriage shifts the legal and emotional commitment level
Having children completely reorganizes priorities and time
Buying a home together involves major financial decisions
Retirement changes how couples spend time and resources

Each milestone requires adjustment and patience from both partners. Successfully navigating these transitions often strengthens relationships in the long run.

Quotes About Changes After Relationship Milestones

“Every milestone we reach together changes us, usually for the better.”
“Moving in together taught us that love includes accepting each other’s weird habits.”
“Getting married didn’t change our love – it changed our commitment to that love.”
“Having children together revealed depths of love we didn’t know existed.”
“Each new chapter requires us to learn new ways of being together.”
“Milestones mark progress in our journey, not destinations.”
“Big changes require big adjustments, and we’re learning to make them together.”
“Every major step forward has made us stronger as a team.”
“We celebrate how far we’ve come while preparing for what’s next.”
“Milestones remind us that our relationship is alive and growing.”
“Each commitment we make to each other deepens our bond.”
“We’re not the same people who took these steps, and that’s beautiful.”
“Major changes test us, but they also prove what we’re capable of together.”
“Every milestone brings new challenges and new joys.”
“We’re writing our story one commitment at a time.”

How Do You Handle Fear of Change in Relationships?

Fear of change in relationships is completely natural. We often worry that changes will threaten what we love about our partnership. However, resisting change usually causes more problems than embracing it. Learning to work with change instead of against it helps relationships thrive.

Common fears about relationship change:

Worry that your partner will outgrow you
Fear that changes will reveal incompatibilities
Concern about losing the comfort of familiar routines
Anxiety about whether you can adapt together
Fear that growth will lead to growing apart

The antidote to these fears often involves open communication, patience with the process, and trust in your partnership’s strength.

Quotes About Overcoming Fear of Change in Love

“Fear of change is natural, but staying stuck is scarier.”
“We’re stronger than our fears when we face them together.”
“Change feels less frightening when you’re not facing it alone.”
“Our love has survived every change so far – it can handle this one too.”
“Fear whispers ‘what if it goes wrong?’ Love responds ‘what if it goes right?'”
“Courage isn’t the absence of fear – it’s choosing love despite the fear.”
“We can’t control change, but we can control how we respond to it.”
“Fear of losing what we have prevents us from gaining what we could have.”
“Every change we’ve navigated together has made us braver for the next one.”
“Trust in our connection is stronger than fear of the unknown.”
“Change has been good to us more often than it’s been harmful.”
“We choose growth over safety, evolution over stagnation.”
“Fear keeps us small, but love helps us expand.”
“We’ve learned that most of our fears about change don’t come true.”
“Facing change together has become one of our superpowers.”

Learning to manage anxiety about relationship changes often involves developing better trust in relationships and working on building self-confidence individually.

What About Positive Changes and Growth in Relationships?

Not all relationship changes involve challenges or difficulties. Many changes bring couples closer together and enhance their connection. Celebrating positive evolution helps partners appreciate their journey and motivates continued growth.

Positive changes might include:

Developing deeper emotional intimacy over time
Learning to resolve conflicts more effectively
Growing more comfortable with vulnerability
Building stronger trust through shared experiences
Becoming more supportive of each other’s dreams
Finding new activities to enjoy together

Recognizing and acknowledging positive changes helps couples maintain perspective during more difficult transitions.

Quotes About Positive Change and Growth in Love

“Every positive change we make individually benefits us as a couple.”
“We’re becoming the people we always had the potential to be.”
“Growth feels good when we’re growing in the right direction.”
“Our relationship keeps getting better because we keep working on it.”
“Positive change multiplies when two people support each other’s evolution.”
“We’ve learned to celebrate small improvements as much as big breakthroughs.”
“Every day we choose to grow is a day we invest in our future together.”
“Our love story gets richer with every chapter of growth we add.”
“Positive change has momentum – each improvement makes the next one easier.”
“We’re proud of how far we’ve come and excited about where we’re going.”
“Growth feels natural when you’re with the right person.”
“We inspire each other to be better versions of ourselves.”
“Every positive change reminds us why we chose each other.”
“Our relationship is our greatest success story.”
“We’re living proof that love can keep growing deeper over time.”

What Quotes Help During Relationship Transitions?

Relationship transitions – whether positive or challenging – benefit from wisdom and encouragement. These quotes provide comfort during uncertain times and remind us that transitions are temporary but growth is permanent.

Transitions happen during:

Beginning or ending relationships
Moving through relationship phases
Adjusting to life changes as a couple
Working through conflicts or difficulties
Celebrating milestones and achievements

Having words of wisdom during these times can provide perspective and hope.

Quotes for Navigating Relationship Transitions

“Transitions are temporary, but the growth they bring lasts forever.”
“We’re in the space between who we were and who we’re becoming.”
“Every ending creates space for a new beginning.”
“Transitions test our commitment and reveal our strength.”
“We’re learning to find stability in each other, not in circumstances.”
“Change is the price of growth, and growth is the reward for courage.”
“We trust the process even when we can’t see the outcome.”
“Transitions remind us that nothing stays the same except our choice to love.”
“We’re writing a new chapter, not ending the book.”
“Every transition brings us closer to who we’re meant to be together.”
“We navigate uncertainty with faith in our connection.”
“Transitions are bridges between different versions of our love story.”
“We embrace the unknown because we’re facing it together.”
“Change is how love evolves from good to great.”
“We’re learning that flexibility is a form of strength.”
“Transitions teach us what truly matters in our relationship.”
“We find peace in the journey, not just the destination.”
“Every transition survived makes us more confident about future challenges.”
“We’re becoming experts at loving each other through change.”
“Our relationship is stronger because of every transition we’ve navigated together.”

During particularly challenging transitions, couples might benefit from reading about sad disappointment quotes in relationship to process difficult emotions, while also exploring everything will be fine quotes for hope and encouragement.

Final Thoughts on Change and Growth

Change in relationships is inevitable, but how we respond to it determines whether our partnerships thrive or struggle. These 200+ quotes remind us that evolution in love is natural, healthy, and often beautiful. Whether you’re growing together, growing apart, or somewhere in between, these words can provide comfort and guidance.

Remember that every relationship faces changes. The couples who last aren’t those who avoid change – they’re the ones who learn to navigate it together with patience, understanding, and commitment to each other’s growth.

Change doesn’t have to be scary when you have the right perspective and support. Sometimes it leads to deeper connection, sometimes to difficult decisions, but it always offers opportunities for growth and self-discovery.

Use these quotes as reminders that you’re not alone in facing relationship changes. Millions of people have walked similar paths and found wisdom in the journey. Trust the process, communicate openly, and remember that love’s greatest strength often lies in its ability to evolve.

Frequently Asked Questions About Change in Relationships

Are changes in relationships always normal?

Yes, changes in relationships are completely normal and expected. Every partnership goes through evolution as people grow, face new circumstances, and learn more about themselves and each other. However, sudden dramatic changes or secretive behavior might warrant deeper conversation.

How do you know if your relationship is changing for better or worse?

No, there isn’t always a clear answer immediately. Look at whether changes bring you closer together or create more distance. Positive changes usually involve open communication, mutual respect, and support for each other’s growth. Negative changes often involve secrecy, manipulation, or consistent hurt.

Should you try to stop your partner from changing?

No, trying to prevent your partner’s natural evolution usually damages relationships. People need room to grow and discover new aspects of themselves. Instead of stopping change, focus on understanding it and finding ways to support healthy growth while maintaining your connection.

Do all couples grow apart eventually?

No, not all couples grow apart. Many couples grow together throughout their entire relationship by supporting each other’s individual development while nurturing their shared connection. Growing together requires intentional effort, good communication, and commitment from both partners.

How long do relationship changes typically take?

Yes, relationship changes can take anywhere from weeks to years depending on what’s shifting. Minor adjustments might happen quickly, while major life transitions or personal growth often require months or years to fully integrate. Patience with the process is essential.

Can you love someone through major changes?

Yes, you can love someone through major changes, but it requires commitment, understanding, and adaptation from both partners. Love that survives significant change often becomes deeper and more resilient than love that hasn’t been tested by evolution.

These quotes and insights remind us that change in relationships, while sometimes challenging, is also an opportunity for deeper connection and personal growth. Whether you’re celebrating positive changes or working through difficult transitions, remember that you’re participating in one of life’s most important adventures – learning to love and grow alongside another person.