Hi, I’m Mia, and I work as a fourth-grade teacher.

It’s a job I love, not just because I get to mold young minds, but also because it gives me the flexibility to spend time with my son, Luke.

Being a single mother isn’t easy, but for five years now, I’ve managed to raise Luke mostly on my own. His dad, well, let’s just say “present” isn’t a word I’d use.

Weekends with Dad were more like a distant memory for him than a regular occurrence. Things finally started to feel a little lighter four months ago. That’s when I met Jake. He was a fellow teacher, kind-hearted and with a laugh that crinkled the corners of his eyes.

And best of all, Jake loved kids. However, I wasn’t sure about how Luke would react upon knowing I had another man in my life. Luke had always been so attached to me, and I believed the thought of sharing me with someone else would affect him. So, despite the butterflies fluttering in my stomach, I knew it was time to introduce Luke to Jake. The thought gnawed at me for days, but finally, I decided to take the plunge.

“Hey, Luke-a-doodle,” I chirped one sunny afternoon, finding him engrossed in a particularly intricate Lego creation. “What would you say to meeting someone special for lunch this weekend?”Luke looked up with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Special, huh? Like superhero special or birthday cake special?” “More like friend special,” I explained nervously. “His name is Jake, and he’s a teacher too, just like me.” Luke’s brow furrowed. “Another teacher?

Does he have a beard like Mr. Henderson?” Mr. Henderson, our ever-patient custodian, was practically a legend amongst the students, thanks to his impressive salt-and-pepper beard. I chuckled. “No beard, but he does have a really cool laugh.” The following Saturday arrived, and with a knot of anticipation in my stomach, I introduced Luke to Jake at a local pizzeria. Initially, Luke hesitated and clung to my leg. But Jake quickly put my little boy at ease.