How do connections to people and places become central to who we are? In this talk, Dr. Milla Titova draws on research in psychology to explore the science of happiness, social connection, and belonging. Her work examines how feelings of connection to other people and to meaningful places shape identity, increase well-being, and motivate engagement. Integrating empirical findings with accessible insights, this session highlights belonging as a fundamental psychological need and considers how sustained experiences of connection leave lasting psychological imprints.