Recently, I was sick with a stomach bug.

I woke up with a weird sensation in my stomach that I misinterpreted for hunger.

About a week earlier, my son woke up saying his stomach felt funny and that he needed to eat something. He was looking in the fridge for food when he became close friends with the trash bin because it was closest.

At the time, I laughed internally at his logic. That day, though, I understood.

I kept eating, hoping the feeling would go away. After lunch, it became clear what was actually happening.

I got sick on a Tuesday and left work. On Wednesday, I did not work at all. I thought I was better by dinner on Wednesday. I got ambitious with what I ate. I lost it all on Thursday. By Friday, I started my day safely. I had a popsicle and Pedialyte. I was afraid to eat anything else.

My husband, who had just been taking care of our son (so I wouldn’t get sick), was now taking care of me. He’d already gone to the store for oranges for my son, and once to get things I needed. But he asked me if I needed anything else.

I just looked at him and froze.

I really wanted ginger ale. But I kept thinking about how many times he’d already gone out, how cold it was, how I didn’t want to inconvenience him… even though I couldn’t get it myself.

I was willing to stifle my need, so I wouldn’t inconvenience someone who loved me.

But, I told him, yes, I needed ginger ale.

I felt bad asking, but I also felt free.

It made me realize how often people offer help and we say, “No, I’m good,” just to avoid being a burden.

Sometimes we only want help from certain people. I get that. You don’t want everyone to see you at your worst. But someone has to eventually.

We are often left wondering why we had to carry everything alone when, honestly, we didn’t let anyone show up.

I get it, especially if you’re a Gen X-er like me.

Our mantra is, “I can do it myself!”

But can you, really?

Should you, really?

Relationships aren’t just about being the strong one. They are also about letting someone else be strong when you’re not.

Turns out, sometimes strength looks like ginger ale…and letting someone bring you some.