The Power of Connections (a.k.a. “I Know a Guy…”)

Once upon a time, making connections was as simple as saying, “I know a guy.” Need your car fixed? “I know a guy.” Looking for a good daycare, a reliable dog sitter, a plumber who won’t ghost you? You guessed it: “I know a guy.”

These days, it’s called networking—sounds fancier, a little more polished, and significantly more LinkedIn-approved. But at the core, it’s the same thing: people helping people. And whether we’re talking career, community, or just surviving day-to-day life, the power of connection hasn’t changed—it’s just evolved.

Let’s get one thing straight though:
Having 1,000 connections on LinkedIn, Facebook, or your phone doesn’t guarantee anything. Not a job, not a deal, not even a birthday message.
But having conversations?
Building rapport?
Engaging authentically with people in your circle (even if that circle is more of a triangle right now)?
This is what truly makes the difference.

You can be the most connected person in the world, but if you never interact, support, or show up in those relationships—well, it’s like hoarding business cards in a junk drawer. Technically, you “have connections,” but what’s the point?

This Isn’t Just About Business

For military spouses, this truth cuts deep.
Maybe you’ve just arrived at a new duty station. Maybe you’re weathering your first deployment. Maybe you’ve just had a baby and are still figuring out how to keep a tiny human alive while navigating Tricare and unpacking boxes.

One conversation. One connection. That’s all it takes to change everything.
It might lead to a friendship, a job lead, a carpool buddy, or someone who drives you to the ER when your “quick DIY project” turns into a minor disaster involving super glue, a step stool, and questionable decision-making (hypothetically speaking).

But here’s the tricky part: being vulnerable enough to try.
Because sometimes that first conversation goes sideways. You try to connect, and it’s awkward, uncomfortable—or worse, met with disinterest. And you think, Well, that was a disaster. Never doing that again.
We’ve all been there.

Because let’s be honest:
Making friends as an adult is HARD.
Gone are the days of, “Oh, you like dinosaurs? So do I! Let’s be best friends forever.”
As adults, we second-guess ourselves. We wonder if we’re too much, not enough, too new, too tired, too whatever. We lose that natural openness to just show up as we are and say, “Wanna hang out?”

As military spouses, we don’t always get the luxury of long timelines. We’re often on a countdown clock from the day we arrive. So no, it’s not always, “Oh, you’re a milspouse? Instant bestie!”
Sometimes it is. And when it is? Cherish it.
But more often, it takes effort, patience, and a little bravery.

You will find people you vibe with. You’ll meet the ones who get it—the ones who offer help without hesitation, who share job leads or vent sessions or last-minute childcare. They may not always show up right away. And some will only be in your life for a season. But the ones who stay? Game-changers.

How to Tap Into the Power of Connection (Without Feeling Like a Used Car Salesperson)

• Be real. You don’t have to have a perfect pitch or a polished introduction. Just be yourself. The best connections are built on authenticity.
• Say yes (sometimes). Go to the event. Accept the invite. Show up—even when you’re tired or nervous. You never know what might come from it.
• Start small. A simple comment on a post. A DM that says, “Hey, I liked what you said.” A shared laugh in the school pickup line.
• Follow up. This goes for friendships and professional contacts. If you had a great conversation, say so. Keep the door open.
• Be open to awkward. Yep. There will be weird moments. But you survived high school—you’ve got this.

The Bottom Line

In life, career, and military spousehood, connection is important.
It doesn’t guarantee anything—but it increases your odds. It creates opportunities. It reminds you that you’re not doing this alone.

So the next time someone asks, “Do you know anyone who…”
Wouldn’t it be great to say,
“Yeah, I know a person.”

Because that, my friend, is the power of connection.
And it might just be the thing that changes everything.

#TheSpouseSide #MilitarySpouseLife #PowerOfConnection #NetworkingWithHeart #AdultFriendshipsAreWeird