I Yelled at a Stranger Today…
Something unexpected happened today.
My husband, baby, dog, and I were walking home after a sunny Saturday brunch at Cafe Cluny. As we crossed the street near our home, I noticed another couple across from us pushing a stroller.
And I don’t know what came over me, but as we reached opposite curbs, I turned around and yelled:
"How old is yours?"
They paused, looked surprised, then smiled and called back, “16 days!”
Without skipping a beat, I blurted out:
"Wanna be mom friends?"
It was instinctual. Bold. Definitely a little awkward. But also… kind of beautiful.
I have no idea what will come of that interaction, but we exchanged numbers.
Maybe we become friends, maybe we bump into each other again or end up at the same baby class. Maybe nothing happens at all.
But here’s what I do know: building friendships in early motherhood takes courage.
I hear it from patients, from friends, and from my own mom. The postpartum period can feel isolating, even if you’re surrounded by people. You crave connection. Someone who just gets it. Someone who’s also doing 4a.m. feedings and Googling “is this poop color normal.”
We talk a lot about sleep schedules, baby gear, and what kind of solids to try first. But not enough about how essential it is to have mom friends.
And making those friendships? It’s awkward. Vulnerable. Sometimes even a little cringey.
But if we’re not bold, we stay lonely.
There’s no polished way to say “Hi, I’m tired and hormonal and kinda desperate for adult connection. Wanna hang out while we rock strollers back and forth?” So sometimes, we just need to yell across the street.
Being bold might mean:
DMing the mom who posts about her newborn on Instagram.
Saying hi to someone in the waiting room at the pediatrician.
Starting a conversation at the park.
Or, apparently, yelling across a crosswalk.
There’s no guarantee that a bold moment leads to a lifelong friendship. But every time we take that risk, we open the door to connection. And that’s everything in this season.
So today, I yelled at a stranger.
And maybe, just maybe, I found a fellow mom who needed a friend, too.