The Hiker - Wrong Path ❤

The woods are a glorious place to get lost physically and mentally. However, within those roots, trunks, and leaf canopies, your soul can be found.

Working at a plant nursery at the age of 18, Britt was glancing out the sliding glass doors of the garden store when a large tractor slowly drove by.

First, the rumbling sound of the engine, then the front wheels, the engine visually appears, the stirring wheel, then...the workboots attached to the handsome driver. Britt smiles as she always did in customer service. The driver smiled and waved. As the trees and shrubs on the trailer of the tractor passed, Britt thought to herself, "Whoa. that felt unusually nice". She recalled his jeans, work boots, white t-shirt, clean-cut hair, and hoop earring and felt her heart flutter.

The plant nursery "family" was a close one. She'd not known this "tree and shrub" fella very well. Britt had known that a few others did. Being young, confident, and brave, she put her inquiries out there. She got loads of encouragement to talk to him. So? That's just what Britt did.

Britt and the handsome tractor driver (who'd become The Hiker) did exchange telephone numbers.

Things progressed well over the almost year. They attended movies and loved getting lost in the woods holding hands and meeting family and friends. Their lives blended well and swiftly. There was a great energy that was cozy and easy.

One evening while chilling on the sofa, Britt was caught off guard by these words, "You're the nicest person I know, but I don't believe this is going to work out.". Huh? Britt was so perplexed with the words and the sadness of the latter part of it.

Glancing back over the moments they spent together - there is one thing that held Britt's heart back some. A best friend of his was the main attraction for him. She took priority over Britt in some scenarios. When the light came on, the pieces all clicked into place mentally for Britt. She picked up the pieces of her heart and walked away. Once again.

A few years passed, and social media allowed them to stay connected as friends.

This fella reached out to Britt and asked her if she'd like to go hiking. She was single at those times and did so as pals. There is something about having male friends with no strings. Until....they ask to date again many moons later. Britt's reply was thank you, but no. (Go, Britt!)

If you're curious to know what happened to The Hiker: He didn't win the heart of the best friend romantically.

That did break Britt's heart a bit for him.

As most hikers do, they keep checking out trails to explore new exciting views. Suppose The Hiker in this story was too.

This would be the start of Britt's ability to make friends with almost anyone.

Britt's all-time favorite teacher Mrs. Papatheodoropoulos told her that her favorite quote was, "Next...".

It began to make sense right about this time.