Ran into T

I just ran into my therapist We live about 70 miles apart. Her office is somewhat in the middlefor us. She lives in a resort town that my husband and I ocassionally go to for vacation. We are on a weekend vacation. This morning I went for my morning walk and crosspaths with her. She was out for her daily run. It is a cloudy dreary day. I saw her running but there are many runners her and I totally did not recognize her until she was right in front of me happily waving and say hi. My first thought was I want a hug l, should I stop of should I keep going. l slowed down a bit. We kept going on our merry way. I also wanted to respect that she was involved in essential self care.

After, I realized I have not seen her in person in over a year and a half. This was it. In the past we discussed what would happen of we saw each other when I am on vacation. This is like the 8th time I have been in this area but first time crossing paths.

Hugs if wanted. How are you feeling about it? I imagine it would be particularly difficult considering you haven't otherwise seen her in person in so long. But I'm sure I'd have been thrown off and unsure what to say, whether to try to stop and talk for a minute, etc. I'm glad she waved and said hi.

Also, was it weird seeing her in what were presumably running clothes? I imagine it's different from how she dresses for session (even remote sessions). Though maybe not, as my T has gotten much more casual over the pandemic, and will often be wearing an Under Armour hoodie or T-shirt for sessions. The few times I saw him in the summer when we were briefly in person, he was in shorts, which felt a bit odd at first, then seemed fine.

It was strange seeing her. I saw her running at a distance and thought to myself it sort of looked like T. She has short strawbeery blond hair. It is always down. She had a wide brown headband so it looked like she has brown hair from a distance. I told myself there was no way it was T. She was wearing over sized running shorts and an oversized sports jersey. She normally desses in jeans a button up shirt or sweater that are not oversized.

I feel sort of sad that we didn't stop and talk for a minute and hug. Multiple times since virtual therapy when we have had difficult discussions, she says she wishes she could give me a hug. However, I am also glad that I allowed her to be in running mode without interrupting. I know when I am hiking and out for my walk, if work would interrupt it would bring me back to the stress of work.

Not sure what the weather's like right now where you are, but would it be possible to meet your T outside for a session? I've done that twice with Dr. T, the most recent one a week and a half ago (the one where I saw ex-MC, speaking of running into people...). I ws hoping we could meet again outside before winter, but not sure if the weather/scheduling will cooperate, as he also sounded rather wimpy about the cold when I asked what temps he'd find acceptable to meet in (he initially said 65, and I asked if maybe 60 or slightly cooler would be OK if not windy, which he seemed OK with).


Or even if that couldn't work for a full session, to just have a brief meeting outside, so you could see and talk to her in person?

Lonesome, I would love to have an in person session with her.. However, I will not ask. The reason she is still not holding in person sessions is because she has a young son. I do not want to put her on the spot. I respect her to much for that.

This morning my husband and I attended church (which we have done multiple times there) again I never saw her there. This week she was the Cantor. I sat on the other side from where she was. She has a great voice. At the end of the service I thought to myself I want to go say hi...Then my desire to allow her space... In the past we discussed how we would handle running into each. Plus my social anxiety kicked in. What of she didnt want me to say hi? What if she thought I was staulking here. In no way my intention
..So I decided to just let whatever was supposed to happen happen...We never were close enough to talk or even acknowledge each other.

I assume you have talked about being in the same spot sometimes before, right? I've seen you mention it before. So she knew it might happen at some point, I don't think you're intruding into her personal space or stalking her, even if you do go up to her a tiny bit. But I would totally not feel like doing that either, I get that. If you feel something about the meetings, I'd definitely voice it in your next session. Seeing my T for the first time after half a year was already difficult, I can't imagine how it'd be if it were just a random encounter. I also already struggle with imagining just seeing my T in a normal setting during normal times, so I think it's definitely a common reaction to not quite knowing how to handle it.