The final form of intimacy is what I’ll call the secondary caretaker kind. It is the bonding that occurs when one partner allows the other to be the secondary caretaker of their exiles. This Self-to-part connection across partners creates a loving gratitude in the receiver and a deep affection in the giver. When partners reach the stage when they can do this for each other, they fulfill the promise of relationship—to actively help each other learn the lessons about love and trust that we are all here to learn.
