June 18, 2015,
Family, Relationship 
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What do we really know about the power of two people who become a couple? Can we describe it with words, numbers or a vision? If for me the power of a strong relationship is expressed through my own experience and work with dozens of families, then for others it might even be expressed in the power of the family integrity expressed through much more than a life time next to one another.
I will share with you a story that moved both me and thousands of people around the world. This is a story about the power of the human spirit separately and as a part of a couple like a quadratic equation that gives the answer to the question that is Step 5 of the development of interpersonal relationships.
An inspiring example of a powerful couple
A story that keeps coming up in my local community is that of a family who has had to endure more than most families. The couple had two children and was just going about their normal business when one day a car careered out of control and drove into a child care centre where their youngest child attended. She was trapped under the burning vehicle and suffered severe burns and injuries.
She survived when she perhaps should not have and through the care and devotion of her family was brought back to health. Three years later the child, still severely disabled, was able to attend school. Her parents returned to work and life again became somewhat normal.
Then on a cool autumn afternoon the little girl had been collected from school by her nanny and was being wheeled in her stroller across a pedestrian crossing when again she was struck by a car and thrown 18 meters further down the road. Another round of operations ensued and there are more to come for this little girl and her family who simply refused to give in.
The parents in response to these accidents joined together to create a charity whose purpose is to focus on the prevention of burn related diseases. The charity’s name is: “Day of Difference Foundation” and many of you, especially those living in Australia will know the name of the little girl – Sophie Delezio.
This story clearly demonstrates the power of many as this family continues to care for this child and each other through what has become many horrifically difficult times and even more wonderful is the way they have reached out to their whole community who in turn has stepped up and embraced this family. Here is strength in numbers being played out to its fullest.
The power of “happily ever after”
If just like me you are also left speechless hearing this story, about this impressive power of the human spirit, then sure you know what the relationship between two individuals in a situation of hardship and difficulty is capable of.
It is not by chance that people say: we are given in life only what we can cope with. When the partners are united, strongly embraced in the mutual cause of supporting and protecting each other, and of fighting all problems together, then surely we can say that they have discovered the power of the couple at Stage 5.
The ultimate goal for every relationship is to reach “happily ever after.” When you are at this stage, you just know in your heart that it is exactly where you should be. It really is about forever, and knowing in your heart that it will never be any other way.
This stage is about being independent of and interdependent with your partner at the same time. It is where the two of you, your separate “me’s,” exist side by side and the “we” becomes the concrete that binds you. It is the place where the two of you have the capacity to achieve even more together than separately.
A study done with sled dogs in Alaska symbolizes the unbelievable power of couples in this stage of their relationship. The research discovered that two sled dogs could pull not just twice the load of one sled dog, but three times the load of one dog on its own.
This exhibits one meaning of the phrase “strength in numbers,” and is exactly the point I would like to make about the power of being part of a couple that has reached this stage. For each person in the couple, as well as for everyone close to the couple, the force they exert is simply extraordinary.
I would be happy if you would share with me other inspiring examples of powerful couples. Write to me and tell me your stories and experience. I would like to thank you in advance for the inspiration that you will give to so many other couples to strive for and achieve the fifth phase of their relationship.
To the wonder of you,
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