I have kids. But I never ask another woman if she does. Or a man for that matter. While it’s definitely one way to start a connection, it’s far from the only way to do it.

“What do you like to do in your free time?”

“Did you grow up here?”

“What was the best book you’ve read recently?”

“Do you have a favorite recipe? If you do, what is it?”

“If you were an animal/plant/food, what would you be and why?”

See - there’s a lot of different options!

Feeling your pain thru this essay. It’s a well written and poignant piece.