When I see another mom (total stranger) out walking in the wild with a baby and we both peek in each other’s strollers, and smile - Christina D.
When you haven’t seen a friend in a while and they hug you like they really missed you - Felicia C.
Nezza singing the National Anthem in Spanish at the LA Dodgers game at the height of deportations and anti-immigration propaganda - Jasmine Mae
Every time my roommate and I meet up to study, and he brings me a little pick-me-up, even though I always say I don’t want anything - Vyomesh
When everyone from a group chat is physically together and someone sends something, so all of our phones ding in sync. I got extra warm hearing all of my cousins’ phones ring in sync when I visited them in the Philippines for the first time in 20 years - Jane
2.a.m. hot showers with Hungarian folktales pouring from my phone, just like the way my mother used to tell me stories during bath time as a child - B
Sharing a knowing glance with a fellow queer person - Nic M.
Someone in a bookstore saying, “that’s really good” about the book you’re holding - Nic M.
Needing to break out the board game expansion for more players - Brenna
When you hug someone for more than 10 seconds in complete silence - Emily P.
When my partner says, “There will always be another bite,” - Despina
Belting Sweet Caroline on a wedding dance floor - Chelsea C.
When I get on a flight and I think about how every single person on that plane has a story and a motive to either go back home or fly to a new place - Kyara C.
When he refills my water bottle with the correct ratio of ice to water without me having to ask - Eli R.
Someone going out of their way to make sure the restaurant has gluten-free options - Eli R.
When someone scoots over on the couch just to make space for me - Sheetal K.
The sound of someone turning off the lights after I’ve already gotten into bed. - Sheetal K.
That moment when you and your best friend notice the same thing, make eye contact, and immediately start laughing because you’re on the exact same wavelength - Faith
FaceTiming my sister 5,000 miles away to not chat, but feel our presence in each other’s lives - Amy F.
Waking up in the middle of the night to my husband sleep-talking gibberish…and loving it…and looking forward to telling him the next morning - Amy F.
When someone pours water for you without saying a word - Josh
When the barista calls a drink and you both look up, then at each other - Josh
When I see other queer Asians out and about - Catie D.
Running around and kicking the ball at dyke soccer - Catie D.
When other people talk openly about their tummy issues - Catie D.
When people say, “I’m adopted too!” - Catie D.
When my child randomly says, “I love you so much, mum” and I was having a very hard day. It’s like they know? - Sophia
When I found a neighborhood café that has a play area for little kids, and the nice mums are all there having coffee while chatting and also looking after all the kids together - Sophia
Listening to a new album the minute it comes out with your best friend - Loch B.
When your friends plan a surprise midnight picnic and every food is your favorite color - Loch B.
Years ago, a sweet couple next to me & my mom in line at IKEA let us use their family loyalty card–such a small, moving kindness to form a brief chosen family with strangers - Calista G.
When I make my baby boy laugh - Mireille B.
Someone who ran to get my number after the end of a mom group session to plan a meet up - Mireille B.
When someone admits they have been in the same kind of darkness that you are in - Mireille B.
Watching your favorite movie with someone who’s seeing it for the first time - Briana
Unsaid coordinated choreography with your best friend on the dance floor - Nivita S.
Eating off each other’s plates mid conversation - Nivita S.
Standing around the kitchen and smelling Amma’s cooking after a long day - Nivita S.
Finishing a good book in a cafe - Aly M.
When you catch someone else singing along to the same song playing in a grocery store - Aly M.
The hour FaceTime call I had with a girl from Marketplace looking for a new person to fill her former roommate’s room - Becky B.
A new friend who writes you a card for your birthday. (They really didn’t have to) - Becky B.
Your friends offering their help because they know you won’t ask - Becky B.
When you’re in the women’s bathroom, anxiously adjusting your top, exuding self consciousness, and a complete stranger smiles at you and compliments anything about you. Like she knew you needed it - Lizzie
When someone likes a Reel you send them - Maxime K.
Helping someone with a stroller / bags on the subway stairs - Maxime K.
Seeing old photos with the same friends, but younger - Maxime K.
Receiving an 18-minute voice note - Hannah C.
The phrase, ‘a bottle for the table?’ - Hanniah C.
The experience of reading about something you thought only you’d ever felt but it turns out the exact same thing was felt by someone, decades ago, in a completely different part of the world, who has no idea you exist - Hannah C.
When my best friend, who now lives in a different city from me, flew across the country to keep me company at a wedding, just days after I was broken up with on a random Thursday night after a 6-year relationship - Riya T.
Waking up to the smell of fresh croissants, quiet chatter, and clinking of plates coming from the kitchen - Luisa
Someone remembering that your favorite color is actually green, even if you don’t wear it as often - Luisa
When you finally have that long conversation with your parents about what it was like for them to grow up, and for a moment, the space between you disappears. - Joseph L.
Sitting in my empty classroom after dismissal on the last day of school when a student unexpectedly walks back in to say goodbye one more time - Kat K.
When you’re nervous going into a new social situation, but the conversation ends up being a cacophony of exclamations like “I’m the same way!” and “Me too!” and “I didn’t think anyone else did that!” - Kat K.
Someone picking me up at the airport. Even better when I don’t ask them to. - Fird
My cat coming to me unprovoked when I’m lying on my couch feeling sorry for myself. - Fird
My sister reading my lips across a room after a lifetime of practice - Carly C.
Dancing Hot To Go with 120,000 people in Texas - Carly C.
When my mom sent me a photo of her view of the ocean, once I had just started a new life on another continent and realized we were looking at the same ocean, just from exact opposite sides - Hahny
In the diaspora, hearing a child in your mother’s tongue. - Meliza
When you first notice silver wisps and crow’s feet on a childhood friend - Meliza
Asking someone where their “insert item here” (shoes, top, earrings, purse) is from and they immediately send you the link for it so you can have it too! - Crystal M.
The pushing down of your finger onto a camera and feeling it push back against you - Vincent Senbet
Writing plans down on your kitchen calendar for every weekend in August - Haley M.
Getting a knock on your door from the upstairs neighbor who just made a fresh batch of blueberry muffins - Haley M.
When someone says, “she’s hard to read,” and a friend replies, “she’s gathering pieces–of people, moments, and feelings–slowly deciding who’s worth trusting.” - Raqz
When someone says, “This song always reminds me of you,” - Sophia
Laughing with friends as we try to learn line dancing underneath the moonlight - Jenna J.
The song and dance of people trying to fight over the bill at the end of dinner - Fran
When you are with someone and you both see the exact same thing at the same time without either of you pointing it out–it’s like you have telepathy for a moment - Andie
Postcards - Andie
When friends keep me in the loop of the conversation when I haven’t spoken in a while - Aceline
The comfort in confused looks during a difficult lecture - Aceline
Coming out to your friends in your 20s and everyone responding, “I know”, in the most loving and accepting way - Emma M.
When a friend helps you go through your closet - Sally C.
My best friend making herself a snack in my kitchen without having to ask where things are - Sally C.
When someone twists the clasp of your necklace back behind your neck - Cails
When there’s a knock at the door and the cat and I exchange a wide-eyed who the hell could that be? look - MJ M.
The time a cashier smelled a candle I was buying, nodded to themselves in approval, and kept scanning – like I’d passed a test they never intended to tell me about - MJ M.
Every (and I mean every) morning when my mom calls to check in while she’s driving to work - Hayley R.
When you’re six years old, home from school with a gnarly case of strep throat and your mom comes back from the store with a bright pink teddy bear for you to cuddle while you watch cartoons on the couch - Anna V.
That feeling of being able to call someone and just let it all out without the fear of being too much. Anna V.
When my bodega family starts making my iced coffee—large, milk, no sugar—before I even open my mouth - Dylan K.
When someone memorizes your phone number by heart - Charissa
Conversations on a flight because no one is a stranger in the air - Charissa
When you come across another dog owner walking their dog and both of you make space to give room for your dogs - Daryll
Whenever I leave Renae’s house and I thank her family for having me over. They always reply, “You’re always welcome here” - Meghan T.
The silence of the stars being broken on a cold winter night by visibly seeing my breath in front of me - Kate S.
Watching a show with your friend on FaceTime by hitting play at the same time - James Philippe
Sitting at a friend’s family dinner - James Philippe
A stranger asking for your light and then complimenting your outfit - James Philippe
My best friend drinks her coffee with milk, but every time I open her fridge, there is a container of half-and-half there for me - Sara K.
Going to a protest and finding comfort in knowing that the people around you share the same frustration, anger, and hope - April
Friends keeping me company in the kitchen, updating me on their lives, while I cook for us - April
When I’m in another room by myself and hear, “Where’s Tristan?” It’s like the sound of someone looking for me. - Tristan L.M.
Having dap up chemistry with a total stranger - Carlo L.
Having your name spelt/said correctly, first time - Carlo L.
When you barely try, and he still says “Wow” like you’ve just stopped time. - Jess M.
When your stepson calls downstairs just to ask if you’ll come say goodnight. - Jess M.
Hearing your friends laugh from another room - Vic L.
When someone asks if you want a sip or bite of what they just ordered. - Anonymous