Love Letter: A One-Sided Relationship

You can't improve sex and communication or equitably divide household tasks with someone who isn't there, or learn the love language of a ghost.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story November 3, 2023 By Miya Lee "I'm aware that I am technically not married anymore. I have checked the 'widow' box on more forms than I can count," Emily Suon writes in this week's Modern Love essay. "But being widowed doesn't feel the same as being single." MODERN LOVE "It's hard to know if what I'm doing is 'healthy.'" Brian Rea Modern Love A Marriage Problem That Can't Be Solved My husband and I haven't spoken in more than a year. It can't go on like this, but it will. By Emily Suon MORE MODERN LOVE Read the latest Tiny Love Stories or listen to the newest Modern Love podcast episode. Brian Rea Modern Love Tiny Love Stories: 'I Shied Away From Telling Him' Modern Love in miniature, featuring reader-submitted stories of no more than 100 words. Brian Rea My Sweaty Revenge As Christi Clancy was about to teach a spin class, her best friend's ex-husband walked in. She decided to let him have it. By Anna Martin, Julia Botero, Christina Djossa, Hans Buetow, Emily Lang, Reva Goldberg, Jen Poyant, Anabel Bacon, Dan Powell, Pat McCusker and Rowan Niemisto Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT LOVE AND MARRIAGE "Morgan kept saying, 'I'm going to die alone,'" Mr. de Amezola said. "I wasn't going to let that happen." Gesi Schilling for The New York Times Vows Trudging Through Sobriety and Other Challenges, One Step at a Time As Morgan Hartman and Phillip de Amezola supported each through personal health crises, their relationship and a "love plant" flourished. By Alix Strauss Mario Villafuerte/Getty Images What Is a Covenant Marriage? A marriage contract that makes divorce difficult is a way for some couples to protect their partnerships. However, some experts believe that this type of union has both advantages and disadvantages. By Alyson Krueger Electric Love Studios Finding the Right Match After Reconsidering a Swipe Left Katherine Corrado was hesitant about dating someone in broadcast journalism. But after seeing Paul Gerke's dating profile three years ago, she changed her mind. By Robbie Spencer Tom Leung mini-vows A 'Professional Crush' Turns Romantic When Leah Wong met Dennis Fan, she was inspired by his passion for his work. His advice helped shape a future they are building together. By Anna Grace Lee Kevin DeMassio Mini-Vows Magic in the First Five Minutes. Love Within 15. After their first date, Banks Clark slipped a note into Jackie Patmore's purse. "You have changed everything," it read. By Rosalie R. Radomsky ASK THE EXPERTS "One of us would prefer to invite couples over without their children, so the adults can have a conversation." Miguel Porlan Social Q's We Don't Want Kids at Our Dinner Parties. Do We Have to Include Them Anyway? A couple is eager to be closer with their new friends, but they worry that insisting that guests arrange for child care will start the relationships off on the wrong foot. By Philip Galanes Continue reading the main story ADVERTISMENT LOVE IN THE NEWS "Mr. Johnson, an evangelical Christian, has spoken out harshly against gay rights." Kenny Holston/The New York Times Where Mike Johnson Stands on Ukraine, Abortion, L.G.B.T.Q. Issues and More The new House speaker, an evangelical Christian, has a staunchly conservative record on gay rights, abortion, gun safety and more. By Kayla Guo Todd Korol for The New York Times Olympic Hopefuls Needed a Home. A Retirement Community Stepped Up. New Zealand's curling team wanted to train with the "big boys" in Canada, and a group of enthusiastic seniors has provided housing, a cheering section and lots of advice. By Scott Cacciola John Fleenor/ABC Times Insider Engaging and Aging on 'The Golden Bachelor' Two members of The New York Times's Culture section discuss how a twist on a decades-old reality series has become must-watch television. By Sarah Bahr Tony Cenicola/The New York Times On Location Is Buying Real Estate With a Friend Really a Good Idea? For two art enthusiasts who went in together on a "cathedral-esque" country house outside New York City, it seemed brilliant: "Why wouldn't we do this?" By Tim McKeough Outerloop Games In Thirsty Suitors, the Dance Battles Are Powered by Family The video game, which follows a South Asian bisexual woman as she navigates relationships, tells a distinctly immigrant story. By Shannon Liao We want to hear your stories. Here's how to submit a Modern Love essay or an Unhitched column. Don't feel like writing more than two posts on X, an Instagram caption or a Facebook post? Consider submitting to Tiny Love Stories, which are no more than 100 words. 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