Lifestyle
Tiny Love Stories: ‘Sex Is Just Sex’

Before ‘Polyamory’ Was in Vogue
Veronica’s prom date wanted to marry her, but I was her preference. Our honeymoon was nice but not exciting. After joining the Navy, I left on a six-month cruise of the Mediterranean. While I was away, Veronica’s old flame visited, reawakening affection. Sensing her need, he seduced her and gave her the intense pleasure I hadn’t. In the months and years to come, we realized that, in many cases, sex is just sex. We built a caring marriage by accommodating our sexual incompatibility with other partners, long before “polyamory” was in vogue. — Walter Dombrowski
Souls on Social Media
A 21-year-old man posted on social media: “Men have souls. Women don’t. Do you understand?” I didn’t, and I expressed my disagreement gently. In messages, he revealed his handle was a pseudonym. After a bad breakup, he’d allied with misogynists on the site; anonymity made that easy. We shared stories from our lives. The unexpectedly warm exchange, he said, was jolting him back into himself. He wanted to leave the social platform and heal. Days later, his account was gone. Now I wonder: How are you, kid? Do you think about my soul, as I think about yours? — Pamela Rafalow Grossman
Mom’s Favorites
I reached into a green bucket at the farmers’ market and grabbed a bunch of sweet-smelling lilacs to bring to my mother for Mother’s Day. I’d surprise her since she was under the weather. She greeted me in obvious pain, but half-smiled and said: “These are my favorites. How did you know?” All these years, I had no idea. My mother died unexpectedly a few weeks later. In my devastating grief, I attempted a word puzzle, her favorite pastime. That day the answer was five letters, L-I-L-A-C. I believe she was sharing the blooms with me. — Elana Rabinowitz
Devoted Detours
He suggests we skip the Napa trip, the one with the nonrefundable Airbnb. He searches “hikes with restrooms near me,” then swipes away photos from a far-fetched ski retreat. We shop for Gatorade and Jell-O before my semiannual colonoscopies. He makes me a broth that I’ll barely touch and hangs over my shoulder as we scour clinical studies. I’m grateful that he lets me be sick but never makes me feel like a sick person. I love him for all the times he’s rerouted to a gas station bathroom for me. All the times he’s rerouted his life for me. — Preeti Talwai

Lifestyle
Jake Paul Reveals He’s Sparring W/ Shakur Stevenson To Prep For Gervonta Davis

Jake Paul
Shakur Stevenson Is Helping Me Prep For Tank Davis!!!
Published
TMZSports.com
Jake Paul‘s admittedly nervous for his upcoming tilt with Gervonta Davis, but he tells TMZ Sports he’s got a bit of a secret weapon in his corner to help him make sure he’s ready — Shakur Stevenson!
The YouTuber-turned-superstar-fighter revealed to us on Wednesday that Stevenson — who’s had his share of beef with Davis over the years — is slated to meet with him in just a few days to give him an assist in the ring.
Paul said the two will spar — and he’s hoping it’ll get him as prepared as possible for Tank.
Paul also let us know he’s got a few other famed pugilists — Raymond Ford and Montana Love — working to prime his fists for the massive Nov. 14 bout as well.
Jake, though, did confess he’s still losing some sleep over the upcoming matchup … admitting, “Internally, I’m the most scared going into a fight that I’ve actually ever been.”
“Being vulnerable for a second,” Paul said, “this is crazy. This is scary. It’s kind of keeping me up at night.”
Paul did say he’s got a game plan — one that involves him trying to shed muscle so he can be fast enough for the smaller Davis. He also said he’s working on a way to “walk Tank into a knockout like I’ve done with other opponents.”
The scrap will all go down at Kesaya Center — and Paul was adamant, “I’m going to prove a lot of people wrong.”
Lifestyle
Video: The Knicks’ Josh Hart Shares His Secret to a Strong Marriage

new video loaded: The Knicks’ Josh Hart Shares His Secret to a Strong Marriage
transcript
transcript
The Knicks’ Josh Hart Shares His Secret to a Strong Marriage
Josh Hart of the New York Knicks takes us beyond the court to his home. Mr. Hart and his wife, Shannon, open up about their relationship and love languages, and he shares with us a side of him you don’t see on game day.
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“We’ve known each other for about 15 years, basically half of our life. And we’ve always been that consistent person in each other’s life. We always were there for each other.” “It was like consistent communication.” “We push each other to be better. We both give each other tough love. It’s never what we want to hear. But it’s always what we need to hear. We never try to sugarcoat anything.” “My love language, I would say quality time and probably physical touch.” “Definitely physical touch. That’s her love language. Back scratches is her love language. For me, my love language, I probably would say words of affirmation.” “I’m not very lovey-dovey in my words of affirmation, but I think just through my support during the season and my tough love — He doesn’t see it as affirmation, but it is.” “Do I see it as affirmation? That’s a great question. You always appreciate someone for always being real with you. I’m the super laid back, calm one. When calmness is needed, it’s a hundred percent going to be me.” “Yeah, but sometimes he’s too calm. Which is also like, What’s wrong with you?” “On the court, it’s totally different. My role on the court is to be fiery, to play with my heart on my sleeve and show that passion and that competitiveness. But me as a person is super chill, super laid back, kind of just going with the flow. Whatever happens, I’m going to figure it out.” “I’ve got to win every argument, every conversation.” “She’s super competitive. Becoming parents probably changed our relationship, for sure, for the better.” “You always hear that kids can tear you guys apart or it’s so hard, this and that. But we’ve honestly gotten closer, so it’s helped us.”
By Chevaz Clarke, Sadiba Hasan, Thomas Vollkommer and Srdjan Stojiljkovic
October 21, 2025
Lifestyle
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