20 Comments
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Michèle Breton's avatar

Great lil story, Marlana! I certainly would love to read other bits of life from you! ✨

Marlana aka Outtamydamnmind's avatar

Heard! I will def do better glad you enjoyed this one 🫶🏼✨

Kate's avatar

Party City, wow! That brings back some memories for sure. Love the slice of life moment.

Marlana aka Outtamydamnmind's avatar

I definitely empathized and felt like I could tell he was still learning who he is without that place. So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for reading commenting and restacking truly appreciate your support 🫶🏼✨

Zoe Mazah's avatar

You know what really stroke me reading your story ? The openness you had to even experienced this moment. To even meet a stranger and how powerful it is when frequencies match even if just for a moment. Like a sign you’re alright and you’re not alone in this. Thank you for sharing I feel really encouraged

Marlana aka Outtamydamnmind's avatar

Nailed it my friend! That moment was more than a moment I felt like the universe was like your not alone others have similar stories to you. Idk in some way it felt like a hug and encouragement to keep going. I may have instantly forgotten his name but if I see his face again I’ll know it’s him 🫶🏼✨

Kathleen Dreams in Color's avatar

You never know who you are going to meet in a chance encounter or the impact you’ll make by just being yourself and chatting with a stranger.

That was another uber eats driver, but another time it could be someone who’s really feeling down and just needs a friendly voice.

Marlana aka Outtamydamnmind's avatar

Happy to be there for either ✨ this encounter will truly stay with me for a while.

Mark ✌️💙🫂's avatar

I appreciate this, and I only do it part time. I have come across drivers that start in the morning and do this for what equates to a full-time work shift. I could never do that

Marlana aka Outtamydamnmind's avatar

Oh I put in full time hours 😂 my car hates me 😩

Mark ✌️💙🫂's avatar

I have no doubt you do. I respect you greatly for doing this knowing that I never could unless absolutely necessary.

Marlana aka Outtamydamnmind's avatar

Sometimes we don’t have choices just grateful it’s an option to keep me afloat✨

Mark ✌️💙🫂's avatar

Oh, if I had to, I'd do the same. Just hope I can keep it on an as needed basis.

Adrião Pereira da Cunha's avatar

This story feels like one of those everyday moments that shouldn’t matter, but somehow end up hitting you right in the chest.

I love how it starts with something as simple as double‑parking and turns into a moment of real connection between two strangers.

There’s something painfully relatable in the way both of them are standing there, carrying the weight of jobs that shaped who they were.

Hearing about his twenty‑five years at Party City feels heavy because that’s not just losing work, that’s losing a whole version of yourself.

And the narrator’s own sixteen‑year ending makes their conversation feel like two different heartbreaks recognizing each other.

The way they talk about cars breaking down, early mornings, burnout it’s the kind of honesty that only comes from people trying to stay afloat.

It’s strange how a tiny, random moment can make you feel less alone in whatever transition you’re stuck in.

I love that they forgot his name but not the feeling of the moment that’s exactly how these encounters work in real life.

There’s something comforting in the idea that two people with different losses can still meet in the same in‑between space.

And the ending feels true: sometimes life isn’t a plan, it’s just doing what you can until you figure out who you’re becoming next.

Marlana aka Outtamydamnmind's avatar

Thank you for this! For feeling the weight this piece is truly carrying. This publication is solely dedicated to those very human day to day encounters that most of us miss 🫶🏼✨

✨Beautifully Broken✨'s avatar

Threw the cautions on and hoped for the best! Fuhk it! Loved it! That job was not your identity...you are not PetSmart Marlana or Marlana PetSmart...I'm so sorry about gas rn 😭 but you have an autonomous job, that lets you be on your phone whenever! That's a win babe!

Marlana aka Outtamydamnmind's avatar

Lmfao just so you know my phone is always on DND. And I very much like my break from it lol I am no longer her but she did exist 😊

✨Beautifully Broken✨'s avatar

I can only imagine what went through your mind when he said that! So cool 😎

Marlana aka Outtamydamnmind's avatar

My heart dropped here is someone who dedicated his life to a company that is no longer here. I felt his pain and recognized it in myself

✨Beautifully Broken✨'s avatar

Yeah to be able to empathize with him that deeply. Who knows he probably needed that moment.