Love Letters
In a haunted house, an author realized her date was the biggest scare there.
I’ll say good morning with a story for the antisocial:
I was interested in Gwen Egan’s take on why we should be throwing more parties.
I have been thinking about parties, in general, lately — ever since I went to my friend Fran’s 80th birthday party in New York last month.
I told Fran, the morning after the celebration, that the night felt wildly special, not just because she was celebrating her 80th, but because it had been so long since I’d gone to a party that wasn’t for work, or where I didn’t already know everyone like a best friend.
At Fran’s, I saw close connections, acquaintances, and strangers. There were about 30 people, and everyone could find something in common — even if it was just Fran.
It made me think: maybe parties are good. That might be obvious to some, but I had been guilty of what Gwen describes in her essay as avoiding gatherings and social interaction to “protect one’s peace.” I was keeping to myself as self-care.
But perhaps some of us (stares in the mirror) have had a lot of peace. Maybe I’ll have a party.
Problems, Problems
This was a very vegan letter, in the Love Letters column.
This was a letter about a marriage that’s more like friendship.
This was a letter from someone who wants to be a step-mom.
How to get to the sequel
It’s Halloween time! That means today’s Love Letters podcast episode is a wonderful story from someone who realized she might be a Final Girl in dating.
What’s a Final Girl? In horror films, it’s the girl (or anyone, really), who lives to the end. Jamie Lee Curtis is the final girl of “Halloween,” and in “Scream,” it’s Neve Campbell.
Our Final Girl in Love Letters is Rory Uphold, a Los Angeles friend who has written a book called “A Final Girl’s Guide to the Horrors of Dating,” which is a collection of essays about Rory’s experiences dating scary clowns, vampires, monsters — and let’s not ignore the witches she meets along the way.
It’s all metaphor, my friends.
On this new episode of the podcast, Rory tells us a story about how years ago, she went to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios in L.A. and realized, mid-haunted house, that the scariest thing about the evening might be her date.
Yes, there were jump scares and costumed people holding fake weapons. But Rory’s boyfriend? He was a different kind of monster that night.
This episode is funny, sweet, self-aware, and it’ll get you into the holiday spirit.
It’s also a great pep talk for those experiencing dating fatigue. Feel free to send to friends who need a boost.
LISTEN HERE and be wildly entertained.
Royal haunts
On that note, I’ll leave you with a scene I saw at a neighbor’s house. There’s a King. I believe one of these guys is being knighted. There were so many more I couldn’t fit in the picture.
Gratitude for those who take this holiday and make it art.
— Meredith
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