Together is a Verb

It all started with an innocent mistake. Dimitri, while preparing for his English test, confidently declared that “together” is a verb. I giggled at the time, gently correcting him, explaining it is actually an adverb. But later, as the moment lingered in my mind, I realized something deeper: Dimitri wasn’t entirely wrong. Maybe, in its truest sense, together is a verb.

Think about it. Together is not just a state of being—it is an action. It is something we do. To come together, to work together, to support one another—all of these require effort, intention, and commitment. Togetherness does not happen passively; it is a practice, a choice we make daily, in every interaction.

In a world that often celebrates individual achievements and self-reliance, the act of together can sometimes feel radical. It asks us to pause, listen, compromise, and empower others even when it might be easier to go it alone. Whether it is in families, friendships, workplaces, or communities, togetherness requires action: showing up, reaching out, staying open, and being willing to share both the load and the joy.

Recently, I had a personal experience where this concept of togetherness really (figuratively and literally) hit home. There was a disagreement within our family, a moment where disappointment and frustration were running high among us. No one pointed fingers, but there was tension. Yet, somewhere in the midst of it all, without anyone formally stating it, we made an unspoken decision: we were not going to let this divide us. We would not be against each other. 

Instead, we chose to face the problem together. It was a quiet but powerful realization that no matter the differences, the solution was not pointing out where one person went wrong but finding a way to unite and address the issue. This was not just about agreeing on everything but about ensuring that no matter what, we would stand together against the challenge—not against each other.

So maybe Dimitri’s little “mistake” wasn’t a mistake at all. Maybe it was a reminder, a reframing. Together is not just something we are; it is something we do. And if we all approached together as a verb, imagine what we could accomplish—not just side by side, but in true action, united.

Choosing together is a reminder that connection is not something that just happens—it is something we create. It is about making the conscious decision to stand by each other, even when the path isn’t clear or easy. We may not always agree, and we may stumble along the way, but when we choose to work together, we tap into a shared strength that makes all the difference. 

Together is not just a word; it is a practice, a commitment to moving forward side by side, not just in moments of joy, but through challenges too. And that is where the real power lies.

PS: AI was used for language editing.