Choosing Connection: Community Is Defined By Relationships
February is a good time to talk about belonging. A strong community is not just one where people live near each other, it is one where people feel seen, heard and valued.
February often arrives quietly. The holidays are behind us, the calendar has turned and the pace of everyday life resumes its familiar rhythm. Yet in Wellington, February is anything but ordinary. It is a month that invites us to pause, reflect and, most importantly, reconnect with one another.
At its heart, Wellington has always been a community defined not just by beautiful neighborhoods, strong schools, great parks or worldclass equestrian venues, but by relationships. The everyday moments: neighbors waving on morning walks, volunteers showing up early for events, residents speaking thoughtfully at public meetings, are what give our village its character. February reminds us that those connections don’t happen by accident; they are choices we make, day after day.
This month also brings moments of collective reflection and celebration. In Wellington, February is marked by opportunities to gather, remember and celebrate together, from community events that honor Black History Month to moments of joy as residents come together at one of several community events scheduled for this month. It’s rewarding to watch neighbors who have never met before strike up conversations, share stories and leave with a sense that they are part of something larger than themselves. These observances are not simply dates on a calendar; they are living reminders that our community is richer, stronger and more resilient because of the diversity of experiences and perspectives within it.
Community connection also shows up in quieter ways. It’s in the public works team preparing our roads and parks before most of us are awake. It’s in first responders training together so they are ready on our most difficult days. It’s in team members across our organization who may never be in the spotlight, but whose work keeps Wellington running smoothly. Their commitment reflects a shared belief that service is, at its core, about people.
February is also a good time to talk about belonging. A strong community is not just one where people live near each other, it is one where people feel seen, heard and valued. That sense of belonging grows when we create spaces for conversation, when we disagree respectfully and when we remember that every resident’s story matters, even when it differs from our own.
As your village manager, I am continually inspired by the way our residents engage with us. February alone offers countless examples — families attending remembrance events, volunteers supporting youth and cultural programs, residents gathering for Black History Month observances, and many enjoying signature Wellington February traditions, like community cultural celebrations and winter season events like Brewfest and Bacon & Bourbon that bring neighbors together across our village.
Whether through attending events, serving on advisory boards, coaching youth sports or simply checking in on a neighbor, you help shape the culture of this place. Local government can set the table, but it is the community that brings it to life.
As we move through February and look ahead to the months to come, my hope, as a member of the Wellington team and as a fellow resident, is that we continue choosing connection. That means showing patience, offering grace and leaning into what unites us, even when conversations are hard or perspectives differ. In doing so, we honor not only the history of Wellington as we continue to celebrate our 30th Anniversary, but the future we are building together.
Thank you for the trust you place in your village and for the care you show this community every day. It is a privilege to serve Wellington alongside you.
