--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Absence really can make the heart grow…" description: "\"Absence really can make the heart grow fonder, even when the [man's] feet wander.\" — Amy Dickinson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d28/amy-dickinson-8789_absence_absence-really-can-make-the-heart-grow-f_2288215.jpg" --- # Absence really can make the heart grow fonder, even when… ![“Absence really can make the heart grow fonder, even when the [man's] feet wander.” quote by Amy Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d28/amy-dickinson-8789_absence_absence-really-can-make-the-heart-grow-f_2288215.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d28/amy-dickinson-8789_absence_absence-really-can-make-the-heart-grow-f_2288215.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d28/amy-dickinson-8789_absence_absence-really-can-make-the-heart-grow-f_2288215.jpg) > “Absence really can make the heart grow fonder, even when the \[man's\] feet wander.” [Amy Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-dickinson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Physical absence can intensify emotional attachment, even when one is physically wandering, suggesting that longing can deepen affection. **In simple terms:** Being apart can make love stronger. Key Takeaway Embrace the growth that distance can bring. Themes love longing absence emotional growth Mood nostalgic contemplative Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - long‑distance relationships - travel - separation anxiety - personal growth Key Concepts attachment theory human relationships Questions to Reflect On - How does distance affect your own relationships? - When does longing become unhealthy? A Different Perspective Absence may also cause neglect or resentment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Absence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absence/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/women/) ## Related quotes > [“Stranger, think long before you enter, For these corridors amuse not passing travellers. But if you enter, keep your voice to yourself. Nor should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-a-kulkarni/stranger-think-long-before-you-enter-for-these-corridors-amuse-not/) G.A. Kulkarni > [I realize now more than ever how much you really mean to me Because when I can't hear your voice I feel so lost.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/i-realize-now-more-than-ever-how-much-you-really-mean-to-me-because/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [I realize now more than ever how much you really mean to me cuz when I can't hear your voice I feel so lost.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antique-doll/i-realize-now-more-than-ever-how-much-you-really-mean-to-me-cuz-when/) [Antique Doll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antique-doll/) > [Distance makes the heart grow fonder or cause the mind to wander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray/distance-makes-the-heart-grow-fonder-or-cause-the-mind-to-wander/) [RAY](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray/) > [Absence makes the heart grow wander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-barzan/absence-makes-the-heart-grow-wander/) Gerald Barzan > [A man's feet must be planted in his country, but his eyes should survey the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-santayana/a-man-s-feet-must-be-planted-in-his-country-but-his-eyes-should/) [George Santayana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-santayana/) > [I murmured because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/persian-proverb/i-murmured-because-i-had-no-shoes-until-i-met-a-man-who-had-no-feet/) [Persian Proverb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/persian-proverb/) > [Show me a man with both feet on the ground and I'll show you a man who can't get his pants on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-e-lewis/show-me-a-man-with-both-feet-on-the-ground-and-i-ll-show-you-a-man/) [Joe E. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-e-lewis/) > [I was angered , for I had no shoes .Then I met a man who had no feet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mabor-maker-kulang/i-was-angered-for-i-had-no-shoes-then-i-met-a-man-who-had-no-feet/) Mabor Maker Kulang > [I cried because I had no shoes till I saw a man with no feet. Life is full of blessings,sometimes we are just too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/i-cried-because-i-had-no-shoes-till-i-saw-a-man-with-no-feet-life-is/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [“I complained that I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet'.--Arabic Proverb”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/an-arabic-proverb/i-complained-that-i-had-no-shoes-until-i-met-a-man-who-had-no-feet/) An Arabic Proverb > [Man who keep feet firmly on ground, have trouble putting on pants. Woman who slides down banister, makes monkey shine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/man-who-keep-feet-firmly-on-ground-have-trouble-putting-on-pants/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [Find a man with both feet firmly on the ground and you've found a man about to make a difficult putt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fletcher-knebel/find-a-man-with-both-feet-firmly-on-the-ground-and-you-ve-found-a-man/) [Fletcher Knebel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fletcher-knebel/) > [I had no shoes and I pitied myself. Then I met a man who had no feet, so I took his shoes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-barry/i-had-no-shoes-and-i-pitied-myself-then-i-met-a-man-who-had-no-feet/) [Dave Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-barry/) > [I am a tall man, 6 feet and 1 1/4, and I am born in 1913; that's all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gert-frobe/i-am-a-tall-man-6-feet-and-1-1-4-and-i-am-born-in-1913-that-s-all/) Gert Frobe ## More by Amy Dickinson > [Sometimes the way through someone's tough outer shell is to do something obvious, thoughtful and sweet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-dickinson/sometimes-the-way-through-someone-s-tough-outer-shell-is-to-do/) [Amy Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-dickinson/) > ["Nags" nag because they feel they aren't being heard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-dickinson/nags-nag-because-they-feel-they-aren-t-being-heard/) [Amy Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-dickinson/) > [If you turn the heat down on the relationship, she will soften, the tension will lessen, and she will eventually inch closer to you.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-dickinson/if-you-turn-the-heat-down-on-the-relationship-she-will-soften-the/) [Amy Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-dickinson/) > [You must give and receive love only when doing so doesn't hurt others. That's the ethical path, and you should gain strength from walking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-dickinson/you-must-give-and-receive-love-only-when-doing-so-doesn-t-hurt-others/) [Amy Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-dickinson/) > [If you feel guilty about not "playing nice," then you could easily alleviate your guilt by playing nice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-dickinson/if-you-feel-guilty-about-not-playing-nice-then-you-could-easily/) [Amy Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-dickinson/) > [Perspective is the enemy of long-lost love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-dickinson/perspective-is-the-enemy-of-long-lost-love/) [Amy Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-dickinson/) > [People don't change when they don't acknowledge their actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-dickinson/people-don-t-change-when-they-don-t-acknowledge-their-actions/) [Amy Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-dickinson/) > [When you are wondering whether to say something negative about someone - even if it is true - the best rule to follow is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-dickinson/when-you-are-wondering-whether-to-say-something-negative-about/) [Amy Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-dickinson/) > [Life is easier when you are comfortable in your own skin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-dickinson/life-is-easier-when-you-are-comfortable-in-your-own-skin/) [Amy Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-dickinson/) > [Groveling for connection from someone who compares you to Hitler is not good for a person's self-esteem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-dickinson/groveling-for-connection-from-someone-who-compares-you-to-hitler-is/) [Amy Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-dickinson/) > [Friendships can survive after massive disappointment, but only if both parties are honest with one another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-dickinson/friendships-can-survive-after-massive-disappointment-but-only-if-both/) [Amy Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-dickinson/) > [Bullies often act out by marshaling aggression to cover up for insecurity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-dickinson/bullies-often-act-out-by-marshaling-aggression-to-cover-up-for/) [Amy Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-dickinson/) > [Have you ever noticed how bored people are also boring?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-dickinson/have-you-ever-noticed-how-bored-people-are-also-boring/) [Amy Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-dickinson/) > [When the choice is between a demanding relationship and a vintage pickup truck, I'll choose the truck every time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-dickinson/when-the-choice-is-between-a-demanding-relationship-and-a-vintage/) [Amy Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-dickinson/) > [Needy and boring parents tend to have needy and bored children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-dickinson/needy-and-boring-parents-tend-to-have-needy-and-bored-children/) [Amy Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-dickinson/) [Explore all 78 Amy Dickinson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-dickinson/) ## More Absence quotes > [Distance sometimes endears friendship, and absence sweeteneth it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howell/distance-sometimes-endears-friendship-and-absence-sweeteneth-it/) [James Howell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howell/) > [The work, the work, the work. This is what the business is all about. This is the fun, the glory, the pleasure. It's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-dusenberry/the-work-the-work-the-work-this-is-what-the-business-is-all-about/) [Phil Dusenberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-dusenberry/) > [Total depravity means the entire absence of holiness, not the highest intensity of sin. A totally depraved man is not as bad as he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-greenough-thayer-shedd/total-depravity-means-the-entire-absence-of-holiness-not-the-highest/) [William Greenough Thayer Shedd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-greenough-thayer-shedd/) > [Local and state governments have outrun the federal government. The EPA has served notice that it will enact a rule requiring CO2 reductions by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/local-and-state-governments-have-outrun-the-federal-government-the/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [There, in the center of that silence was not eternity but the death of time and a loneliness so profound the word itself had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-morrison/there-in-the-center-of-that-silence-was-not-eternity-but-the-death-of/) [Toni Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-morrison/) > [Of all the bewildering things about a new country, the absence of human landmarks is one of the most depressing and disheartening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willa-cather/of-all-the-bewildering-things-about-a-new-country-the-absence-of/) [Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-cather/) > [Young men have strong passions and tend to gratify them indiscriminately. Of the bodily desires, it is the sexual by which they are most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/young-men-have-strong-passions-and-tend-to-gratify-them/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [It is suggested that in domestic violence at least the presence or absence of a firearm, or of any other type of weapon, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-greenwood/it-is-suggested-that-in-domestic-violence-at-least-the-presence-or/) [Colin Greenwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-greenwood/) > [The absence of God in most spheres of life is perceived to be normal, and even Christians feel it as normal - which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/the-absence-of-god-in-most-spheres-of-life-is-perceived-to-be-normal/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [Every person needs to take one day away. A day in which one consciously separates the past from the future. Jobs, family, employers, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/every-person-needs-to-take-one-day-away-a-day-in-which-one/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [“I was thinking how most people don't make you feel much of anything at all. Don't make you feel like time spent with them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-lotter/i-was-thinking-how-most-people-don-t-make-you-feel-much-of-anything/) [Jane Lotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-lotter/) > [Cooperation isn't the absence of conflict but a means of managing conflict.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-tannen/cooperation-isn-t-the-absence-of-conflict-but-a-means-of-managing/) [Deborah Tannen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-tannen/) > [Many are observing Ferguson and witnessing the anger, demonstrations, looting and vandalism and calling for quiet. But quiet isn't enough. The absence of noise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/many-are-observing-ferguson-and-witnessing-the-anger-demonstrations/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [Will capitalist economies operate at full employment in the absence of routine intervention? Certainly not. Are deviations from full employment a social problem? Obviously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-yellen/will-capitalist-economies-operate-at-full-employment-in-the-absence/) [Janet Yellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-yellen/) > [We must begin by acknowledging that there is a complete absence of two things in Indian Society. One of these is equality. On the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-r-ambedkar/we-must-begin-by-acknowledging-that-there-is-a-complete-absence-of/) [B. R. Ambedkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-r-ambedkar/) [Browse all 2,057 Absence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Absence really can make the heart grow fonder, even when the [man's] feet wander.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Amy Dickinson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-dickinson/absence-really-can-make-the-heart-grow-fonder-even-when-the-man-s/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Absence" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-dickinson/absence-really-can-make-the-heart-grow-fonder-even-when-the-man-s/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d28/amy-dickinson-8789_absence_absence-really-can-make-the-heart-grow-f_2288215.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d28/amy-dickinson-8789_absence_absence-really-can-make-the-heart-grow-f_2288215.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d28/amy-dickinson-8789_absence_absence-really-can-make-the-heart-grow-f_2288215.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Absence really can make the heart grow fonder, even when the [man's] feet wander.” — Amy Dickinson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Amy Dickinson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-dickinson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Absence really can make the heart...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-dickinson/absence-really-can-make-the-heart-grow-fonder-even-when-the-man-s/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-dickinson/absence-really-can-make-the-heart-grow-fonder-even-when-the-man-s/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```