💛 Platonic Interactions Are Incredibly Important 💛 (Patreon)

So, I cried in front of my dog trainer today.

I was overwhelmed, I was exhausted and the tears just came.

But... there was no shame, no awkwardness, no uncomfortable "oh, no".

This man just said "it's okay. We all cry. Let it out. You'll feel better."

Not to make everything about my dad (lol), but from being told "don't you dare fucking cry" to "it's okay. Let it out" - yeah, it was different.

I don't have a lot of positive history with older men, especially father figures, but I really, really appreciate this man. He's kind, he's amazing with my dogs and he's just decent.

We talk about mental health, life, ups and downs and to me it feels like he's an older man showing some form of paternal care for a younger woman. It's really, really nice. And I hope we all get more of these experiences.

Romance can be wonderful, but it's so life-affirming for someone to be kind to you just because. Not because they like you, or wanna have sex with you, or build a future together, but just because.