Thread by @ECMcLaughlin

There is a thing about the version of single motherhood I am living.

Now and then you come across these incredibly dedicated, gentle & kind men who are dads to your kids’ friends or teammates.

They’re easy to spot because they embody quiet, trustworthy masculinity in every act

You watch them play with their sons and daughters, laugh, be present, reach out to their friends’ kids to support them too.

Every single time, it produces in me an uncontrollable wave that is equal parts grief and envy.

So to those men: you have no idea, I’m betting, how much you matter, and how much those of us who don’t have it in our version of family see you.

The rest of us know how lucky your kids are to have you.

(This one in particular goes out to a man by the name of Coach King, who despite having three sons of his own still finds time to encourage my son, long after the season is over, wherever we see him and his wife.

My gratitude is big.)