What Love Meant Growing Up

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A session to explore how our earliest experiences of love shape the way we connect today.

Before we ever dated anyone, chose our friends, or defined what we wanted from relationships, we were already learning what love meant.
We learned it at the kitchen table. In the way conflict was handled (or avoided). In who got comfort and who got told to be strong. In what earned praise, attention, or affection. In what felt safe to say and what didn’t.

Long before we had language for it, we were forming quiet rules, that might have included:

• Be helpful.
• Don’t be too loud.
• Stay easy.
• Take care of everyone else.
• Don’t need too much.
• Don’t mess this up.

Those early lessons often follow us into adulthood without us realizing it — shaping who we’re drawn to, how we handle closeness, what we tolerate, and what feels “normal” in love, even when it hurts.

This free, hour-long session is a gentle space to explore the first version of love we were taught and how it still lives in us today.
Not to blame our families or dig up the past for the sake of it, but to understand ourselves with more compassion.

Together, through conversation and storytelling, we’ll reflect on the roles we played growing up, the messages we absorbed about worth and belonging, and the ways those patterns might still be shaping our friendships, partnerships, and sense of self.

This space is for you if:

• You’re curious how your upbringing shaped your relationships today
• You notice repeating patterns in love or friendship and aren’t sure where they started
• You’re rethinking old family roles or expectations
• You want to relate to others with more intention and self-understanding
• You simply want a thoughtful space to reflect on where you came from and who you’re becoming

You don’t need a “big story” or anything dramatic to belong here. We all learned something about love somewhere. Come as you are. There’s room for your story.

Who Am I?
Hi, I’m Jesse, a communications and advocacy professional passionate about building a safer, more just world. Originally from Austin and now living in Italy, I believe life is measured by the quality of our connections, and I’m excited to use this space to help people build community through openness and shared stories.

How Does it Work?
This is an open, guided discussion led by your Keeper, Jesse. Each participant will have the opportunity to listen to and share experiences on belonging, identity, community, and whatever else comes up during the session.

When and How Do We Meet?
We meet digitally every couple of weeks to make participation easy for those with demanding schedules. Cameras are optional, and you’re welcome to join from wherever you are, even between shifts. We only ask that you find a private place to join or use headphones to help maintain the security of everyone present.