I didn't want to go.
Low energy. Head heavy. One of those days where everything feels like effort.
But I went anyway.
Small mountain. Nothing crazy. Just needed to move.
The kids were with their mother. Having the whole day to myself wasn't the relief people think it is.
At the top, I laid down in the sun. Closed my eyes. Tried to quiet everything.
Then I heard them.
Three boys. Loud. Laughing. Running around like the mountain belonged to them.
It stung a little. That kind of loud is exactly what I was missing.
Their dad followed behind.
“Hope you weren't looking for peace and quiet.”
I laughed. Sat up. We started talking.
Nothing deep at first. Just two dads, catching their breath.
Then more.
He had sons. I have daughters.
Different lives, same weight.
Turns out we live in the same town.
It felt lighter after that.
Not because anything changed.
Just because for a minute, I wasn't carrying it alone.