Dear Stranger,

As I was sitting on a park bench in a city that I was unfamiliar with I was having a full on panic attack. I was lost, by myself, with my phone dying. My panic attacks tend to go unnoticed by most people. So, you may have no clue that I was in fact having one.

Since I was lost I decided to sit and people watch because I knew I would never find my way back to my car if I could not calm myself down. I smile at people often while people watching. I like to do this because you never know who needs a smile or how their day went. I smiled at you as you passed and you smiled back while saying "hello".

Within seconds, I saw you leave your group of friends and run back my direction. I was a bit confused at this. However, you said some of the most kind things to me.

As you came up to me again you asked to hug me. I appreciated this very much do to other strangers hugging me without my permission that day. I was very uncomfortable with those encounters. From what I gathered people were hugging me due to my shirt, that stated, "straight outta the closet". People were being kind to me and showing their acceptance of me because they realized I was part of the LGBT+ community. Which I appreciate greatly (but, it would be great if they asked to touch me first...).

As you hugged me, you had no idea what my story was. You didn't even need to know my story. You didn't need to care about my story, you only cared that I knew three main things. 1. That I am enough. 2. That I am a beautiful person. 3. That I am important in this crazy world we live in.

You said these three things to me, and I will remember you and these things you said to me, for a very long time.

When you said all of these things to me you helped me come back down to Earth from the panic I was in. I was able calm down, get back to my car, and figure out what I was doing next in my day.

This world needs more people like you. People who use any opportunity to make the world better. You showed me respect, acceptance, and the importance of kindness even though we had never met before. You took two short minutes out of your day to make sure I had a good day.

So, thank you! You are a beautiful person who is beautiful and important. I will continue to pass on kindness to others in two simple minutes throughout my days.

Sincerely,

Another Stranger