This weekend, Jess and I took a trip to the Brecon Beacons, a place that I’d always wanted to explore. We spent our days walking and discovering hidden waterfalls, and just letting the world fall away behind us. There’s something about nature—how it can be so powerful, yet so calming. We found ourselves completely immersed in it, with no distractions, just each other and our wonderful little mountain goat (pomeranian dog), Maisey.
As we wandered from one waterfall to the next, soaked through from the mist and laughter, it struck me how everything felt so beautifully… normal. Here we were, two females enjoying a simple weekend together, with no one bothering to look twice. It felt like the kind of trip any couple would take, and that realisation hit me hard. I’d grown so used to the idea that people might stare or wonder about us, but in this peaceful place, we were just another part of the landscape.
Of course, I know people still ask themselves questions. I can see it sometimes, flickering in their eyes—curiosity, wonder, maybe even confusion. But you know what? I don’t mind it anymore. We all have questions about the world and each other. I don’t have to prove anything or explain our story to everyone we meet. It’s a kind of acceptance I’ve been working on, and I’m starting to feel it deeply.
What’s struck me over time, though, is how much more empathetic women seem to be. Maybe it’s because women are used to navigating spaces where they don’t always feel completely safe or understood. It’s like they know the unspoken rules of kindness—offering a smile, a gesture that says, “You’re welcome here.” Even in the cafés we stopped at, there was always this quiet warmth from women that made me feel like we belonged.
Men, on the other hand, often come across as more uncertain, as if they aren’t sure how to process us. It’s not something I hold against them, but I can sense that difference. Maybe it’s because society hasn’t given them the tools to approach situations like ours with the same ease. And that’s okay too. We’re all learning, in our own time.
Our weekend in the Brecon Beacons was more than just a chance to get away—it was a reminder of how far we’ve come. Jess and I, walking together through those beautiful trails, felt like the most natural thing in the world. We weren’t different, we weren’t out of place. We were just us, living our lives and enjoying each other’s company.
I think that’s what I’ve been searching for all along: the realisation that we are normal, in every sense of the word. We are accepted—by others, sure, but most importantly by ourselves. And that is everything.
Here’s to many more moments like this, exploring, laughing, and simply being.