Dream Symbolism: Meaning of the Oldest Son
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The oldest son in dreams often embodies themes of responsibility, leadership, and the weight of expectations.

As a dream symbol, the oldest son can represent authority within the family dynamic, as well as personal ambition and the desire to pave a path for others.
Dreams involving the oldest son may reveal hidden feelings about duty, protection, or rivalry, reflecting complex emotional layers beneath the surface.
Whether the oldest son appears as a figure of strength or tension, these dreams invite us to examine our relationships and roles in both family and society.
In this article, we will delve into various interpretations of the oldest son in dreams, uncovering the rich symbolism that shapes these nocturnal narratives.
Oldest Son Dream Symbolism and Interpretations
Representation of Responsibility and Leadership
Dreaming of the oldest son often symbolizes responsibility and leadership within a family or social structure. The oldest son is traditionally seen as the bearer of duties, expected to guide, protect, and support younger siblings and sometimes even the entire family.
This dream may reflect your own feelings about being responsible for others or stepping into a leadership role. You might be carrying the weight of expectations, whether from your family, workplace, or community. The oldest son in dreams represents a figure who must be dependable and strong, which can also indicate the pressure you feel to uphold these qualities.
Alternatively, dreaming of the oldest son might symbolize your development into a position of authority or the assumption of new responsibilities. It could suggest that you are ready—or need to prepare yourself—for the challenges of leadership and the sacrifices it entails.
In some cases, this dream could be highlighting your internal struggle with balancing your own desires against the obligations you feel toward others. The oldest son is often caught between personal ambitions and the needs of the family, and this tension might be reflected in your subconscious through this symbol.
Symbol of Family Expectations and Duty
The oldest son in a dream often symbolizes family expectations and duty. When you dream of the oldest son, it may represent the pressure you feel to fulfill responsibilities placed on you by your family or society.

This dream suggests that you are aware of the roles you are expected to play, especially as the eldest child, such as leading, protecting, or providing for others. It highlights the weight of tradition, honor, and obligation that comes with being the firstborn.
Dreaming of the oldest son can also reveal your internal conflict between wanting to meet these expectations and your personal desires. The symbol may point to a strong sense of duty that sometimes feels overwhelming or restrictive.
In essence, the oldest son in a dream is a reminder of the family’s hopes and the responsibilities you bear. It reflects your connection to your roots and the legacy you are expected to uphold.
Reflection of Heritage and Lineage Continuity
The oldest son in a dream often symbolizes the deep-rooted connection to heritage and the ongoing continuity of lineage. This figure represents more than just an individual; he embodies the responsibilities and expectations passed down through generations. Dreaming of the oldest son may reflect your subconscious awareness of family traditions, values, and the legacy that must be preserved.
Such dreams highlight the importance of maintaining a link between the past and the future, emphasizing the role of the firstborn as a keeper of family history and a bearer of future hopes. They can also signify a sense of duty to uphold the honor and customs established by ancestors. Recognizing this symbolism can encourage you to embrace your personal heritage and understand the influence it has on your identity and life path.
Emblem of Protection and Guidance
Dreaming of the oldest son symbolizes an emblem of protection and guidance. This dream reflects a deep-seated sense of security stemming from a responsible figure who looks after the well-being of others.
An alternative meaning is that the oldest son represents leadership within the family or community. Seeing him in your dreams may indicate a need to embrace responsibility and offer support to those who rely on you.
Yet, another interpretation of this dream is that you are seeking guidance yourself. The presence of the oldest son suggests that you desire wisdom and protection during uncertain times. This dream encourages you to trust in the strength and assurance that comes from experienced guardianship.
Manifestation of Rivalry and Competition
Dreaming of the oldest son often highlights feelings of rivalry and competition within your family or social circles. This dream symbolizes the dynamics of hierarchy and the struggle for recognition or approval, especially when it comes to roles and responsibilities.
When the oldest son appears in a dream, it may reflect your subconscious awareness of competition with siblings or peers. It suggests that you are grappling with challenges related to proving yourself, asserting dominance, or carving out your own identity in relation to others who hold established positions.
This dream can also reveal internal conflicts about jealousy or comparison, where you might feel overshadowed by someone perceived as a leader or a benchmark. In this context, the oldest son represents not just a family member but a symbol of rivalry that drives you to push harder or reassess your achievements.
Ultimately, dreaming of the oldest son as a symbol of rivalry and competition encourages you to examine your motivations and the nature of your relationships. It invites you to confront feelings of envy or ambition and to find a balance between healthy competition and cooperation.
Signifier of Maturity and Growth
The oldest son in dreams is widely regarded as a powerful symbol of maturity and growth. This figure often represents the transition from youth to adulthood, embodying responsibilities, leadership, and the stepping into a more developed phase of life. Dreaming of the oldest son can signify your own journey toward greater accountability and emotional development.
When the oldest son appears in a dream, it may reflect your subconscious acknowledgment of evolving roles and duties, either within your family or in broader social contexts. This symbol can highlight your progress in taking on challenges that require wisdom, patience, and strength. It often points to a maturation process, where innocence gives way to experience and you begin to embrace your potential fully.
Moreover, the oldest son as a signifier of growth intimates that you are ready—or need—to begin nurturing qualities like resilience, leadership, and independence. The dream may encourage you to recognize your achievements so far and push further toward self-improvement, reminding you that personal growth is an ongoing journey demanding commitment and conscious effort.
Expression of Parental Hopes and Fears
The oldest son in a dream often represents the embodiment of parental hopes and fears. This figure can symbolize the expectations parents place on their firstborn as a reflection of their ambitions for the future.
When the oldest son appears positively in a dream, it may indicate a deep-seated desire for success, responsibility, and leadership within the family. The dream reflects an idealized version of achievement, emphasizing qualities like maturity, wisdom, and guidance that parents hope their eldest child will exhibit.
Conversely, if the oldest son is portrayed with distress or conflict, it can mirror parental anxieties about failure, disappointment, or the burden of responsibility. Such dreams reveal fears related to whether the oldest child will meet the expectations set upon them, highlighting concerns about generational continuity and legacy.
In essence, dreaming of the oldest son serves as a symbolic expression of the complicated mix of pride, pressure, and protective instincts that parents associate with their firstborn, making it a powerful image of familial dynamics and emotional investment.
Trigger for Exploring Sibling Relationships
If you dream about your oldest son, it often serves as a trigger for exploring sibling relationships.
This dream could bring underlying family dynamics to your attention, highlighting your feelings toward your siblings or the role your oldest son plays within the family structure. When the oldest son appears in your dream, it may prompt you to reflect on issues like responsibility, competition, or protection among siblings. This symbolic presence encourages you to examine how these relationships affect your emotional well-being and personal growth.
Symbol of Legacy and Future Aspirations
The oldest son in a dream often symbolizes legacy and future aspirations within a family or personal context. This figure represents the continuation of values, traditions, and hopes passed down through generations.
Dreaming of the oldest son can indicate your thoughts and feelings about what you will leave behind—your impact and the enduring influence of your actions. It may reflect your concerns about preparing the next generation to carry forward your ideals or ambitions.
This dream symbol encourages reflection on the responsibilities that come with being a torchbearer for your family or community. It highlights the importance of nurturing growth and guiding future paths, emphasizing a connection between past achievements and future potential.
Biblical Meaning of Oldest Son in Dreams
Firstborn as the Heir of Family Blessings
In biblical times, the oldest son held a special and honored position within the family. Known as the firstborn, he was often regarded as the primary heir, receiving the family blessings, inheritance, and leadership responsibilities. Dreaming of the oldest son symbolizes authority, legacy, and the continuation of family promises.
The firstborn's role as the heir of family blessings means he carries not only material inheritance but also spiritual and moral responsibilities. In a dream, the oldest son may represent the unfolding of divine favor or the manifestation of long-awaited blessings in your life.
If the oldest son appears strong and confident in your dream, it suggests that you are embracing your own potential to inherit wisdom, authority, or blessings passed down through generations. Conversely, if the oldest son seems burdened or conflicted, it might indicate challenges in accepting or fulfilling your role in a particular area of your life, especially related to family or leadership.
Significance of the Firstborn in God’s Covenant
The oldest son in a dream often embodies leadership, responsibility, and the inheritance of legacy, reflecting deep-rooted biblical themes. In the Bible, the firstborn holds a unique place of honor and significance in God’s covenant with His people. The concept of the firstborn is closely tied to inheritance rights, blessings, and a special role within the family and community.
For example, in the Old Testament, the firstborn son is given precedence in receiving the family blessing and a double portion of the inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:17). This status symbolizes not only material inheritance but also spiritual leadership and the continuation of God’s promises. The significance of the firstborn is further underscored in the story of Abraham and Isaac, where Isaac’s position as the eldest son represents the fulfillment of God’s covenant and blessing upon Abraham’s descendants.
Dreaming of the oldest son can therefore represent a calling to embrace leadership, uphold family values, or bear important responsibilities entrusted by divine covenant. It may also signal the dreamer’s connection to spiritual heritage or an impending phase where legacy and succession play a critical role. In essence, the oldest son in a dream encapsulates themes of divine favor, stewardship, and the fulfillment of God’s promises.
Representation of Responsibility and Leadership
Dreaming of the oldest son often symbolizes responsibility and leadership. In biblical contexts, the oldest son is traditionally entrusted with important duties and holds a position of honor, representing the bearer of family legacy and authority.
This dream suggests that you may be called upon to take on greater responsibilities in your waking life. It serves as a reminder that leadership is not just about power but about caring for those who depend on you and making wise decisions for the good of the whole.
When you see the oldest son in your dream, reflect on whether you are ready to step into a role that requires maturity and accountability. The dream encourages you to embrace your potential as a leader and to act with integrity, just as biblical figures like Joseph and Esau were exemplars of responsibility within their families.
Symbol of Jeremiah’s Prophetic Role
If you dream of the oldest son, it symbolizes a connection to leadership, responsibility, and a prophetic calling, especially when viewed through the biblical lens of Jeremiah’s role. In the Bible, the oldest son often represents the primary heir or one chosen to carry forward a family’s legacy. This symbolism aligns with Jeremiah’s prophetic mission, where he was appointed as a spokesperson for God, bearing a heavy burden of truth and destiny.
A dream featuring the oldest son may reflect your own sense of calling or responsibility to speak out, guide, or lead others in a way that echoes Jeremiah’s prophetic role. It can suggest that you are being prepared or positioned to deliver important messages, confront challenges, or uphold a significant covenant. This dream symbol invites reflection on your spiritual duties, emphasizing the weight of leadership and the courage required to fulfill a divinely ordained purpose.
Connection to the Sacrificial Lamb Theme
Dreaming of the oldest son carries profound biblical symbolism, particularly when connected to the theme of the Sacrificial Lamb. In Scripture, the oldest son often represents the firstborn who holds a special place in family lineage and inheritance, symbolizing responsibility, blessing, and sometimes sacrifice.
The theme of the Sacrificial Lamb—most notably represented by Jesus Christ as the ultimate firstborn who was offered for mankind’s redemption—deepens the meaning of this symbol. The oldest son in your dream can signify a call to recognize sacrifice made for the greater good. It may reflect themes of duty, protection, or the burden of responsibility carried on one’s shoulders.
Biblically, the firstborn was consecrated to God, illustrating a special dedication or offering. Dreaming of your oldest son may suggest that you are wrestling with feelings about spiritual leadership, sacrifice, or the pressure to uphold family or spiritual expectations. It might also point toward a transformative experience, where giving up something precious leads to renewal and grace, much like the sacrifice of the Lamb.
In summary, the oldest son in dreams is a powerful spiritual symbol linked to sacrifice, responsibility, and divine purpose. It encourages you to reflect on your own role in sacrifices—whether personal, familial, or spiritual—that contribute to growth and salvation.
Indicator of Divine Favor and Protection
In biblical symbolism, dreaming of the oldest son often represents an indicator of divine favor and protection. The oldest son traditionally holds a position of blessing and inheritance, reflecting God's special care and promises bestowed upon the firstborn. Such a dream suggests that you are under a spiritual guardianship, with blessings aligned to guide and shield you through life's challenges.
This symbolism draws from numerous biblical narratives where the firstborn is marked by God's distinct attention and covenant. When the oldest son appears in your dream, it can be a subtle reassurance that divine forces are watching over you, favoring your path and providing protection. Recognizing this can encourage you to have faith and confidence that you are supported by a higher power, especially during times when you feel vulnerable or uncertain.
The Role of the Oldest Son in Inheritance Laws
In biblical context, the oldest son holds a significant role, especially concerning inheritance laws. Traditionally, the oldest son was entitled to the birthright, which included a double portion of the family inheritance. This was not merely about material wealth but also about spiritual responsibility and leadership within the family.
Dreaming of the oldest son can symbolize authority, responsibility, and continuity of family legacy. It may reflect your subconscious recognition of the weight of duties passed down to you or someone close to you. Such a dream can also indicate expectations or pressures related to upholding family honor or carrying forward traditions.
Furthermore, the biblical role of the oldest son emphasizes blessings and favor from the father. Therefore, seeing the oldest son in a dream might suggest a forthcoming transfer of blessings, increased responsibility, or the need to embrace a leadership role. It can serve as a reminder of the importance of obedience, respect, and stewardship as outlined in biblical teachings.
Oldest Son as a Figure of Spiritual Legacy
The oldest son in dreams often symbolizes a spiritual legacy, representing the continuation of faith, values, and divine promises passed down through generations. Biblically, the oldest son holds a unique position as the primary heir, entrusted not only with material inheritance but also with the responsibility to uphold family and spiritual traditions. Dreaming of the oldest son can indicate a calling to embrace or acknowledge this spiritual legacy in your own life.
This dream carries a profound message about leadership, responsibility, and the preservation of spiritual truth. It suggests that you are recognizing or being reminded of the importance of maintaining the faith and moral teachings handed down by your forebears. The oldest son as a figure in dreams points to a pivotal role in sustaining a spiritual inheritance, urging you to honor and carry forward the legacy entrusted to you.
Such dreams can also encourage reflection on your own spiritual journey and the influence you hold within your family or community. They emphasize accountability and the blessings that come with embracing your role as a guardian of sacred traditions. Ultimately, the oldest son in a biblical context symbolizes a divine mandate to lead with integrity and to nurture the spiritual heritage that shapes your identity and future.
Biblical Examples Illustrating the Oldest Son’s Destiny
If you dream about the oldest son, it symbolizes responsibility, legacy, and the weight of expectations.
In a biblical context, the oldest son often carries the destiny of leadership and inheritance, representing authority within the family. This dream might be highlighting your role or feelings about duty, honor, and the future path laid out for you or someone close.
Biblical Examples Illustrating the Oldest Son’s Destiny:
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Esau and Jacob: Although Esau was the oldest son of Isaac, Jacob received the birthright and blessing, showing that the destiny of the oldest son can be challenged or transferred, reflecting complex family dynamics and the idea that divine purpose can override natural order.
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Reuben: As the firstborn of Jacob, Reuben was expected to inherit the leadership, but his actions led to losing that position, exemplifying that the oldest son’s role comes with responsibility that can shift based on character and conduct.
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Ephraim and Manasseh: Joseph’s youngest son Ephraim was blessed above his older brother Manasseh by Jacob, indicating that birth order does not guarantee destiny and God’s plans may diverge from human expectations.
Dreaming of the oldest son might reveal concerns or reflections about leadership, inheritance, or fulfilling a predestined role, inviting the dreamer to consider how they approach responsibility and the legacy they wish to build.
Unlocking the Past: The Oldest Son as a Dream Symbol Across Cultures
Have you ever wondered why the oldest son carries such weight—not just in families, but in our dreams? Throughout history, this figure emerges again and again, rich with meaning and symbolism.
In many ancient cultures, the oldest son was more than just the firstborn. He was the heir. The bearer of legacy. The family's future wrapped in one person.
Take, for example, biblical traditions. The oldest son often inherited the "birthright"—a powerful symbol of leadership and blessing. Dreams featuring the oldest son could hint at themes of responsibility, authority, or even rivalry.
In Confucian East Asia, filial piety shaped family dynamics deeply. The eldest son held the duty to care for aging parents and continue the family line. A dream with this figure might reflect expectations or tensions about duty and honor.
Even in modern times, various cultures still emphasize the eldest son as a key figure. It’s no wonder this symbol creeps into our subconscious.
Could dreaming of the oldest son be a call to consider your own place in a family’s story? Or perhaps a reflection of your relationship with power, tradition, or obligation?
In exploring this symbol, we tap into centuries of human experience. The oldest son in dreams serves as a bridge—linking past ideals to our present self. What story is your dream trying to tell?
Oldest Son in Dream: 20 Thought-Provoking Dream Scenarios
1. Dream of the Oldest Son’s Success
Dreaming of the oldest son’s success reflects deep feelings about family pride, responsibility, and future hopes. This scenario symbolizes not only the achievements of the eldest child but also the fulfillment of familial expectations and legacy.
This dream suggests that you view the oldest son as a beacon of hope and prosperity within the family structure. It highlights your subconscious recognition of the importance of leadership, maturity, and the burden of expectations placed on the eldest sibling. Success in the dream represents triumph over challenges and the realization of goals that benefit the entire family.
When the oldest son is succeeding in your dream, it can also indicate your own desires or anxieties regarding responsibility and responsibility’s rewards. It may be a reflection of your wish to see stability, growth, and honor within your family or yourself. This dream is affirming that hard work and perseverance will pay off, possibly hinting at upcoming positive changes or achievements.
Moreover, dreaming of the eldest son’s success may emphasize themes of mentorship and guidance. It could mean that someone (perhaps yourself or the oldest son) is stepping into a leadership role, ready to inspire and support others around them.
Overall, such a dream is a positive sign, encouraging confidence in the path ahead and reinforcing faith in family bonds and the potential they hold for success.
2. Dream about the Oldest Son in Trouble
This dream suggests that you are experiencing deep anxiety or concern about responsibilities and the well-being of those closest to you. Seeing your oldest son in trouble symbolizes your fear of failing to protect or support the people who depend on you the most. It reflects an internal struggle with feelings of vulnerability and helplessness regarding situations beyond your control.
Moreover, this dream indicates that you may be projecting your own fears or unresolved issues onto your oldest son, highlighting a need to address underlying worries rather than focusing solely on external problems. It calls for you to examine your role as a caretaker or leader within your family or social circle and encourages you to develop greater resilience and proactive problem-solving skills. Ultimately, dreaming of your oldest son in trouble urges you to confront your concerns openly and seek reassurance or support to restore balance and peace of mind.
3. Dream of Losing the Oldest Son
Dreaming of losing the oldest son often signifies deep feelings of vulnerability and fear related to responsibility. Since the oldest son commonly represents leadership, legacy, and expectations within a family, losing him in a dream may reflect anxiety about losing control or failing to meet these obligations.
On another level, this dream could indicate a fear of losing guidance or support. The oldest son can symbolize a pillar of strength or continuity, so this dream might reveal concerns about instability or the potential breakdown of important relationships in your life.
Additionally, such a dream may suggest a need to confront unresolved emotions about change or endings. Losing the oldest son may metaphorically point to the end of a significant phase, prompting you to process grief, loss, or transformation that you may be avoiding consciously.
15 Demographics of People Who Might Dream of the Oldest Son
1. Parents Dreaming About Their Oldest Son
When parents dream about their oldest son, the experience often feels deeply personal and charged with emotion. This dream symbol is not just a simple image—it carries layers of meaning rooted in family dynamics, hopes, and fears.
For many parents, the oldest son represents responsibility, tradition, and the future. Dreaming of him can stir feelings about legacy. It’s as if the mind is whispering about the weight he carries—and perhaps the weight the parents feel themselves.
Sometimes, these dreams highlight pride. Parents see their oldest son succeeding, growing, or even facing challenges. Every action in the dream can reflect real-life hopes or worries. Is he safe? Is he making the right choices? These questions often weave through the dream’s narrative.
Other times, the dream uncovers unresolved tensions. Perhaps the parents feel guilty for not spending enough time with him. Or maybe anxiety about his independence surfaces—will he live up to expectations? Will he stray from the family path?
Interestingly, dreaming of the oldest son can also be a mirror for the parents’ own inner child. They may see him as a symbol of their own youth, mistakes, or dreams deferred. It’s a way of reconnecting with parts of themselves through the dream’s story.
Every detail counts. How is the oldest son acting? Is he happy, distressed, distant? Each emotion reveals a different layer of the parental psyche. The dream could be a call to nurture, protect, or release control.
In short, when parents dream about their oldest son, it’s never just about him alone. It’s about family bonds, personal identity, and the complex dance of care and expectation. These dreams invite parents to reflect, understand, and sometimes heal through the quiet language of the subconscious.
2. Adult Children Dreaming About Their Oldest Brother
Dreaming about the oldest son when you are an adult child can be deeply revealing. It often stirs emotions tied to family roles and childhood memories. But why does this particular figure appear in your dreams? And what might it mean for you now?
The oldest son usually carries a unique weight in the family hierarchy. Often seen as the leader or the one with extra responsibilities, he might symbolize authority, protection, or expectations. When adults dream of their oldest brother, they might be reflecting on those early impressions.
Perhaps the dream taps into feelings of admiration or rivalry. Did the oldest son set standards you tried to meet or defy? Dreams can become a space where unresolved tensions or unspoken respect play out.
In another sense, the oldest son in a dream might represent a part of yourself. Maybe you are reconnecting with qualities you associate with him—strength, independence, or duty. Sometimes, it’s about recognizing traits you inherited or wished to develop.
For those who had complex sibling dynamics, these dreams can bring up layers of nostalgia and introspection. They might invite you to revisit old family narratives and question how they've shaped your identity.
The context of the dream matters too. Is the oldest son supportive and caring, or distant and critical? Each feeling can steer the interpretation towards healing, conflict, or growth.
Ultimately, dreaming of your oldest brother as an adult child is like opening a door to the past. It encourages you to explore your personal history, your family’s influence, and your own evolving self-understanding.
What stories does this figure unlock for you? And how can those stories guide you today?
3. Expectant Mothers Dreaming About Their Future Oldest Son
Expectant mothers dreaming about their future oldest son often find these dreams charged with deep emotion and meaning. These dreams are not just about a child—they are vivid glimpses into hopes, fears, and the unspoken relationship forming even before birth.
Why does the oldest son show up in their dreams? For many, the oldest son symbolizes legacy, responsibility, and identity. He is the first link to the future, carrying the weight of family expectations and dreams yet to be fulfilled. In a mother’s subconscious, this child might represent her own aspirations, fears about parenting, or the desire to protect and nurture a new life.
These dreams may appear as tender moments—holding a tiny hand, watching him take his first steps. Or, sometimes, they emerge as more symbolic scenes: the oldest son standing at a crossroads or making a choice, reflecting the mother’s curiosity and anxiety about what kind of person he will become.
Often, the emotional tone is powerful. Joy, anticipation, and love mingle with subtle nervousness. This mix reveals the complex psychological landscape of motherhood—the excitement of new beginnings balanced against the unknown future.
Interestingly, some expectant mothers might dream of the oldest son in challenging situations. These dreams can serve as internal rehearsals for potential struggles, helping the mother mentally prepare for the realities of raising a child who might face obstacles.
In essence, these dreams are a rich dialogue between the expectant mother and the future oldest son. They explore identity, relationship, and the profound transformation occurring within. Each dream invites the mother to connect deeply with this new chapter, blending imagination with instinct to welcome the oldest son before he even arrives.
Reflecting Within: What Does the Oldest Son in Your Dream Say About You?
Dreams about the oldest son often invite us to look deeper—right into ourselves.
Who is this figure in your dream? A symbol of responsibility? Leadership? Or perhaps a reminder of a personal challenge?
Taking a moment for self-reflection can reveal layers of meaning.
It’s not just about the dream’s story but what it stirs in your heart and mind.
Are you exploring your role within your family, or maybe wrestling with expectations you place on yourself?
Keeping a dream journal can be a game-changer here.
Writing down your dreams right after waking helps capture details and emotions before they fade.
Over time, patterns emerge—offering insights into your subconscious thoughts tied to the oldest son symbolism.
For the best experience, consider using Dream Decoder, an AI dream interpreter tool.
It helps you record your dreams effortlessly and suggests interpretations that spark further reflection.
This blend of journaling and AI guidance transforms your dreams from fleeting images into meaningful self-discovery.
So next time the oldest son appears in your dream, don't just wake up—wake up to what your inner world might be telling you.
Ask yourself: What message might I be missing?
And let your journal—and Dream Decoder—be your trusted companions on this journey.