It was a crisp and beautiful Friday morning, the kind of day that carries the promise of a wonderful weekend ahead. Among the first customers of the day was a familiar face, one that had graced Namaste Brows & Boutique for several months. She had always been a woman of few words during her visits, clad in her trusty scrubs. Our interactions had been brief, usually limited to polite inquiries about her day and well-being.
On this particular morning, I felt a curiosity tugging at my heart. I wanted to know more about her, to understand why she had chosen us as her regular destination. As I started threading her eyebrows, I decided to engage in a more extended conversation. I asked her about her loyalty to our establishment.With a serene smile, she expressed that she felt a sense of cleanliness and a welcoming atmosphere every time she walked through our doors. She also commended the peaceful background music that graced our space.
Pleased by her response, I inquired about her plans for the upcoming weekend.
She mentioned that she was looking forward to a happy hour after work that evening, followed by a weekend spent with friends. Curiosity sparked, I ventured further and asked if she was single. She answered affirmatively but with a softer, more somber tone, added, "I am actually recently divorced."In that moment, I couldn't help but express my sympathy. Yet, I knew this was one of those unique situations where I, as the owner of the boutique, had the privilege to go beyond the surface. I could delve into deeper conversations, ones that my heart urged me to have. It was these moments that made me grateful for being the owner and not just an employee. I could ask what my heart genuinely wanted to learn.
So, with genuine concern and empathy, I inquired about the reason for her divorce. She shared a deeply personal story, revealing that it was prompted by a miscarriage. She had called her then-husband, who was on a hunting trip, and he had not rushed back to be with her during her time of need. That incident had unveiled a stark truth for her - this was not the person she wanted to spend her entire life with.I couldn't help but pause in awe of her strength. "You are a brave soul," I told her. It was a sentiment that resonated deeply within me, and I found myself silently wishing that more men and women could find the courage to break free from relationships that were suffocating, abusive, or simply negative in their lives.
In response to her bravery, I shared a part of my own life experience. Our stories, filled with emotion, connected us on a profound level. Tears welled in our eyes, and in that moment, we shared more than a simple customer-business owner relationship. We shared a bond of understanding, empathy, and resilience.With a heartfelt embrace, we conveyed to each other the strength we saw in one another. It was these encounters, I realized, that made my work truly meaningful and fulfilling.
Then, another thought stirred within me, and I voiced it to her. "Why aren't we louder and prouder about being divorced?" I asked. We shouldn't carry the weight of past relationships as burdens but should wear our freedom like a badge of honor. She agreed, and we mused on the idea that our body language and the tone of our voices should exude freedom and delight when we declare, "I am divorced, and I am happy," or "I am free now." Our past should never define our future.
With our conversation, we resolved to stand tall and speak with confidence about the brave choices we had made in our lives. We promised to adopt the right posture and tone of voice that reflected the strength and resilience we possessed.Before she left, we embraced once more. She thanked me for not only making her feel beautiful on the outside but for creating a space where she could feel beautiful on the inside. With newfound determination, she expressed her intention to share her divorced status proudly and confidently.
I assured her that she was worthy and deserving of the best kind of love this world had to offer. Our encounter was a profound learning experience, one that illuminated a path toward a brighter and better future for both of us. In the end, we both walked away from that moment of connection with our heads held high, ready to embrace the world with a body language and tone of voice that announced our resilience and the brave choices we had made in life.
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