A few weeks ago, I celebrated Big Love. My husband and I pledged enduring commitment, respect and fidelity.

As a surprise to him, I went way out of my box and vulnerably sang a well-known song as a part of my vows (Poor Adele, she keeps calling and asking for her microphone back).

From the audience, there was laughter and the kind of tears that come when people are touched and moved by something heartwarming or brave; whether it is a wedding, new life being birthed, an animal being rescued or the United States women’s soccer team fist pumping after winning the World Cup. That day, we were all gathered there with an implicit agreement to celebrate a ritual that symbolizes togetherness and belonging. We were there for a united purpose, to feel the intangible magic of love. Researchers refer to the experience of being moved, by a Sanskrit phrase, “kama muta,” which means “moved by love.” They define it as the sudden feeling of oneness with a person or entity.

Why is this important?

Celebration often creates an unspoken emotional bond between people, which meets our intrinsic desire for connection, collaboration and belonging; all things crucial for human fulfillment. Rituals, celebrations and rites of passage clearly mark life’s transitions. There’s a reason that traditional cultures commemorate these things; it reminds us who we are, where we came from, what we’ve lost and that we matter.

Often, when something good happens, we want to share it. We alert those we cherish or we post our Personal Press Release on social media:

“I was accepted into grad school! We adopted a new, sweet smelling puppy! I won the Louis Vuitton bag on Ebay! Our grandchild is being born today! We bought our new home! Aunt Hilda is cancer free!”

We also subconsciously celebrate the smaller things:

“It’s Friday! I kicked ass at the gym and lifted heavier than ever! I said a hearty hell no to overeating for a week and instead listened to my body’s cues on what was nourishing! I went to a Meet Up group and met a fresh and fabulous new friend! Whew. I made the yellow light.”

From a neuroscience perspective, positive, happy events release dopamine and other feel good neurotransmitters in our brain. The combination of sharing information, experiences and engaging in vibrant and affirming conversation creates literal changes in our craniums. We release the coveted “love hormone,” oxytocin, there is an elevation of neuropeptides produced in our central nervous systems, which in turn lowers the stress hormone, cortisol.

Social psychologist Fred Bryant is the father of research on “savoring,” the concept that being mindfully engaged and aware of our feelings during positive events can increase happiness in the short and long run. In his clever way, he posits that “people who savor together stay together.”