Tiny Love Stories: ‘Everyone knew it except him’
Fortunately, there is no other place
I owned a little laundromat called “The Laundromat” on Fire Island. Carol came in with musty sheets and towels from her shared home. I quoted her $48.50 (this was in 1976). “I’m from the Bronx,” she said. “I’m not paying $48.50 for laundry. I’m going to the other place.” She left in a huff and didn’t return until an hour later, all confused, hot and annoyed. “There’s no other place,” she said. “I know,” I replied, “but I couldn’t tell you because I know you wouldn’t have believed me.” And so I met my lovely wife of 43 years. — Rick Kushner
A dream, long postponed
I was 7 or 8 when I was first attracted to other girls. I dreamed of falling in love with a woman. But I belonged to an evangelical church and didn’t think it was possible. I married a man when I was 25, hoping it would be enough. But dreams don’t die easily. When I met Liz, married 24 years and three kids later, my soul was awakened. Now, at age 64, I am truly free. Free to be seen as I am, not as I pretended. Free to experience a love beyond my dream. — kim stamp
A good sport
September 2020, Hanoi, Vietnam: Leigh (American-Belgian, international literature teacher) and Kamil (Polish-Vietnamese, MMA fighter/martial arts trainer). I was so lonely. He wasn’t. I needed a sport to get me out of my deep depression. It worked. During two years of sparring sessions and board game nights, I fell in love with both martial arts and Kamil. Everyone knew except him. In February 2022, Kamil’s relationship was not working, Russia had invaded Ukraine, everything felt weak. A friend asked him, “Why don’t you go out with Leigh?” He did. A year later I asked him to marry me. He will. — Leigh Redeemer
Office visit
I was days away from giving birth, but still working. Someone said my name. I looked up and saw my first true love staring down at me. “What are you doing here?” I have asked. He replied that he was in town for work, on a lunch break, and determined to find me (in 1982, workplaces were much less secure). We were only together for five minutes, but then I knew that this man would always have a place in my heart. Throughout my daughter’s life, 41 years later, he and I still keep in touch. It’s a special friendship. — Amy Lamy