Third Spaces & Why Meeting People Organically Is Good for the Soul

Today started off like any other basic weekday for me. I got up, washed up, got dressed, made a coffee beverage of some sort, and turned on 101.9 The Mix while I sipped and slowly got into gear.

Somewhere in the middle of that groove, I decided to have my oven do a 4-hour self-cleaning task. But about an hour in, the smell of burnt bacon juice had my entire house smelling like a campfire-gone-wrong, and I knew I had to get out of there. So, I did what any self-respecting suburban mom would do, I ventured out to my local coffee shop, Primo’s Cafe & Deli, for a much-needed escape and an iced vanilla oat milk latte (because yes, I am that suburban mom).

One of the many reasons I love Primo’s is because it’s not just a cafe; it’s a true third space—a place that’s not home and not work, where community can just… happen. I know the owner and the barista, and walking in feels like walking into a familiar rhythm.

As I waited for my drink, the barista was chatting with another customer. He looked up, noticed my Detroit Lions hoodie, and commented on the team. Just like that, we were suddenly talking about football, reality shows like Hard Knocks, and of course, the Chicago Bears. Another woman joined in the conversation and for a good five minutes, we were all just in it…laughing, exchanging stories, connecting.

Eventually, the barista got back to work, and we each went back to our personal bubbles…emails, laptops, phone calls. But a little later, a father walked in with his daughter, who was probably around three or four, and somehow, that same woman and I struck up another conversation. This time, we talked about careers, raising kids, good restaurants in town…real, everyday things. We didn’t know each other’s last names, but we felt connected. And that was enough.

Even though we both had to pack up and head into the rest of our days, it stayed with me…that warmth of unscripted conversation, the power of being present with strangers, and how nourishing that can be.

We need more third spaces like that. Coffee shops. Bookstores. Community gardens. Parks. Places where you don’t need a reservation or a reason to be there…just a willingness to show up and maybe make eye contact with someone new.

In this digital, fast-paced world where so much of our interaction happens through screens and apps, these spontaneous in-person moments are healing. They’re the real reminders that, despite everything, people still want to talk. People still want to connect.

So today I left Primo’s with more than just a great latte, I left with the reminder that community doesn’t have to be curated or scheduled. Sometimes, it just brews naturally—right alongside your morning coffee.