A short love story about fantasies that should remain fantasies — They had been texting for months, and it felt like a game. She wasn't sure about the rules, but she knew they were intricate. No one was allowed to mention his family. So they talked about major events in his life as if he didn't have a wife and kids…

The joy of being untethered from reality — As long as I put other peoples' needs first, I don't have to worry about mine. And now that I'm wandering the streets of a ridiculously photogenic Portuguese village, 2500 km away from home, completely free of other people's needs, I have no idea what to do with mine. Or…

What if the only goal of a relationship is simply to enjoy each other’s time? — “So, when are you guys moving in together?” Not in the mood to have this conversation again, I shrug and stare at my screen. “It’s been what, four years? Aren’t you guys ready for the next step?” This question triggers me. My temples start throbbing. I turn towards her; “and…

I never had the heart to tell them he didn’t even like them — Felicia and I met right after I had hit rock bottom. All the girls in my therapy group were somewhat hostile, except for her. She struggled with group therapy but still went out of her way to make the new girl feel welcome — which meant the world to me. …

He played me like a fiddle — He didn’t answer, so I repeated my question. A quick smile flashed over his face. “Honestly? I wasn’t even that worried because I knew you’d come back. You always have. I go too far, you leave, and after a lot of hard work from me, you come back.” I was…

Your kid isn’t welcome; deal with it — And there it was, the question I dreaded so much. “So, why did you cancel the wedding?” Saying the truth out loud felt humiliating. Every time I had to say that my fiancé had been living a double life for five years, my heart tried to lunge out of my…

Why you shouldn’t fall for potential — “He is already drinking less, so that is promising,” she looks hopeful while she talks. I don’t have the heart to interrupt her. An alcoholic who temporarily drinks less isn’t promising; he shouldn’t be drinking at all. She’s not stupid. For their relationship to succeed, a lot has to change…

For women, dating is Russian roulette — Nothing had gone according to plan that day. The plan was to wake up early, feel refreshed and well-rested, ready for a day of excitement and adventure. Instead, I woke up panicking and disheveled. I’d slept through my alarm because I’d spent the entire night contemplating canceling my date. …

It’s never all bad — People always respond the same way when I tell them about my previous relationship— with shock and disbelief. And I can’t blame them. When I look at my life through their eyes, I feel the same Picture this. A man and a woman meet. After a year, she breaks up…