Sometimes, the people who change your life walk in when you least expect it. I met Miss Ch. over the counter at a French bakery—just a regular client at first. But one day, she let her guard down… and everything changed. This is a story about motherhood, burnout, healing, and the kind of unexpected friendship that reminds you: your village might be closer than you think.

I used to think burnout was something that happened to other  people—workaholics, high-powered executives, or those who never took a...