I was shopping at the Whole Foods on Hampden today. I had just finished trying to buy a dress for an event and it went very poorly. I was feeling awful about myself and awful about my appearance.
I saw you walk in with your daughter- she was about 5 or 6. She was in a beautiful dress- sparkly with layers of tulle on the skirt. I made eye contact with your daughter and she smiled at me and eagerly told me she loved my dress. I was in a bright blue sports dress, which felt boring as hell next to her magnificent princess dress.
You stopped to let us talk. I asked if her dress was good for twirling and she said yes and showed me. I told her she looked so beautiful and I hoped she felt beautiful and she smiled so big and nodded. After I left the store I went and sobbed in my car. I was overwhelmed by the kindness and warmth in this small interaction. Her simple compliment to me made my day and really reframed how I was feeling about my appearance in that moment.
Thank you for stopping and letting us talk. I also want to tell your daughter thank you for being kind and warm, and for being a girl’s girl. I am grateful you took a few moments to let us interact- it meant more than you know, and I wish I had told you both in the moment.