Haha! I think they might have a lot more rizz than me. My wife thinks I am corny now lol Thanks for commenting! What's the one thing you went to Target today for but ended up getting more?
Kimia, I love a good app story! I think it’s gradually becoming the norm. It’s going better than good! You’re getting married - congrats. Shoutout to the soulmate power - I think that’s the same thing that got us to be in the same place at the same time on the subway platform.
So sweet and funny! I really enjoyed this read. Hearing the nuances of your thoughts as you experienced her AND yourself made me feel like I was in your personal romcom. 5 stars ⭐️
Maureen, thank you. It's something I am still grappling - writing for him, but also knowing that people are reading. The best advice that supported me this week was remembering why I started writing in the first place. Thank you for reading and always making en effort to engage!
Diauni, thank you for the kind words. I am still working on my voice in my writing - this really lets me know that's it's coming through clear. Appreciate you!
Marc, this is such a precious memory and you told it with such tenderness! Thank you for sweeping us into this NY love story. I chuckled at the grits loool
The world needs more of this beauty. I think there was a time before history when this was the norm. Otherwise, why would I desire so strongly a peace for earth? A peace full of kindness and desire to please one's mate and children. I want it again!
I think about this a lot. I wonder if these letters resonate more with people because men don't often share these stories . I'm hoping sometime next year to highlight and carve out a space for the men in my life who love the way I do. These voices are so important!
Donna, thank you for the kind words. Love does something to a man 😍 I appreciate you for always engaging since you've subscribed. Going to keep this up as long as I can!
You've relit a fire that went out inside me. Hearing you and your son talking to each other did something to me. I'd lost my empathy. It calcified and was close to desolving. That's all it takes, I guess? A few soothing sounds and my world opened again. Thank you, young man. Thank your Mom for me. She must be an angel?
Aw Donna, I don't even have the words. Thank you so much. I really owe this work to the women in my life. I worked at a really progressive school when I was teaching - those women really helped me a lot talk about my feelings. My wife is really my soulmate. All of this is because of God - I can't take the credit.
I think God may be speaking through your mouth or fingers. I can hear echoes of eternal love for humanity. You must have tapped into something awesome.
I know I sound silly, but I was almost disconnected from my life source. I'm 74, so it wouldn't have taken much more for me to just not wake up. My despair of knowing children are dying every breath I take has overwhelmed me. I could barely function when I thought of Gaza.
Your words with your son, your affirmations to him of his special place in the universe was and is a lifeboat for me. Thank you for saving me from drowning!
Donna, I'm so grateful for your comment. It reminds me how sharing our stories is liberating for not just me, but for others as well. The fact that these letters give you hope, joy, and love is the most rewarding feedback. I am going to keep this going as long as I can - for Myles of course, but for others who need to feel something different in a world so rife with pain and suffering. I am encouraged - thank you. You are not silly - you are passionate and loving.
Marc - I’m sending this (as I have your other work) out to different publications. There was I time I knew what printed media was out there - and even agents - but that was long ago. Still looking and asking the young parents I know where they look.
Patris, I can't thank you enough for going above and beyond. I need to add you to my weekly Monday to do list. Change Myles ✅ Make Breakfast ✅ Thank Patris! 📋
You worded this together so well, I could see the entire experience in my mind’s eye 🥰 #HopelessRomantic
1. Semi life changing in the sense of confirmation. I met a Florida based poet at a show in New York on Black Friday 2022. Unknowingly, he was also sitting at my table. We kept in touch on IG and I’m always mentioning to him about performing at another one of the shows (it happens monthly or bimonthly). We were having a conversation recently about mental health and he said something that gave me food for thought about how I show up in the professional space as a social worker and therapist so I shared that thought with him. He asked what I did and I told him. Immediately, I was invited to sit on his panel on IG live which was discussing mental health and coping as a creative artist. To sum it up, I was scared as I don’t enjoy the spotlight and took 2 days to agree while he was offering reassurance and it was amazing. It’s life changing for me because people that don’t know me recognize the gifting God gave me and even if I try to shy away there goes another encounter where what I know needed to be shared at that time.
3. The guy who runs the poetry show, I been wanting to say something to him for like a year now and don’t know what to say as an opener because I’m more concerned that it won’t go well and then I’m going to not want to come to the shows to avoid him.
5. Walking out the nail salon with a fresh manicure, pedicure and newly waxed eyebrows.
I agree with Patris! You should talk to him - you miss all the shots you don;t take, so shoot it! I also understand how much you enjoy the shows. It can be awkward if it might not go well. I would hate for you to jeopardize that. I'm also wondering, if he may already get the vibes 👀. Keep me and Patris updated!
I don’t think he already get the vibes and if he do I’m obvious to it lol. I’m at majority of his shows so maybe that could help with the vibe check. We exchange greetings and a hug, sometimes I strike up a a little conversation and then that’s it. Next show is November 25, what should I say🥴?
I can't believe you want my advice after reading what I wrote lol
But since you're asking - Because you both know each other, why not ask if he is interested in getting something like coffee, drinks, ice cream when you see him? That feels super low stakes - I would even make sure it's during early afternoon. If this fails, promise you won't subscribe? lol
Course I’m asking cuz I feel like i would’ve been reacting the same way if I was on that platform. You had time to think about it lol. If it fails I’m not unsubscribing.
Marc, I literally smiled my whole way through this. I love reading about love and you captured this so well. Just unique to y’all. I feel like I wanna watch y’all movie.
Thank you, Disney! No movie. BUT - We use to actually make YouTube videos before little man. If you’re interested I can email you the link! Just let me know.
🥹 this was beautiful, thank you for sharing Marc. I think you and your wife have one of the best meet cute stories I’ve ever heard, I smiled the whole way through reading. My partner & I met through mutual friends and became part of the same friendship group at university. We started off as friends, then became best friends and then fell in love. It felt like a real Monica & Chandler moment when it happened all those years ago because we kept it a secret from everyone for months (!) as we didn’t want to mess with the group dynamic. It was a very sweet pocket of time when our love was only known by us, sometimes I miss it a lot! An intoxicating bliss that nothing else elicits? Like a lovers high if you will haha
Martha, you can't simply just throw such a story in the comment section like this. I need the whole story - don't cheat me with the TLDR version. This sounds good! I appreciate you for reading. Few people really know what this kind of feeling feels like. We are lucky and blessed!
Adebola, thank you! I am still working on my voice and tone in my work. It's good to see it landed for you and others. Thank you for sharing and engaging!
“...they had a flavor to them like someone took all her vowels and dipped them in butter.” All I can say is beautiful- that sentence, this piece. Beautiful. I can only imagine how much your son will appreciate reading these letters. I’m sure anyone who reads this appreciates it
Sakina, thank you! Originally I had the word "batter" there - I think butter fit better. I am oping to keep this up as long as he and time allows. Appreciate your kind words!
“How do you approach a woman to ask her for her time? To let her know that, even though, outwardly, you matched every other man who approached her that day, that inside you possessed something worth knowing?” I love thinking about this in the context of a message for your son.
And this meet story is wonderful. Alignment of the universe to put us on various paths is such a crazy thing to contemplate. Love the rubric cube analogy and the way the cube aligned in this moment for you and your wife (and son)! ♥️
Thank you Holly! I’ve told this story so many times, I’m happy I finally decided to write it. I’m convinced nothing happens by just happenstance. There is something in store for all of us - maybe we just have to step into it? Idk
I still can’t believe it. Glad we connected Kimia. Only good things and more after this for us.
Haha! I think they might have a lot more rizz than me. My wife thinks I am corny now lol Thanks for commenting! What's the one thing you went to Target today for but ended up getting more?
Kimia, I love a good app story! I think it’s gradually becoming the norm. It’s going better than good! You’re getting married - congrats. Shoutout to the soulmate power - I think that’s the same thing that got us to be in the same place at the same time on the subway platform.
So sweet and funny! I really enjoyed this read. Hearing the nuances of your thoughts as you experienced her AND yourself made me feel like I was in your personal romcom. 5 stars ⭐️
Maureen, thank you. It's something I am still grappling - writing for him, but also knowing that people are reading. The best advice that supported me this week was remembering why I started writing in the first place. Thank you for reading and always making en effort to engage!
Diauni, thank you for the kind words. I am still working on my voice in my writing - this really lets me know that's it's coming through clear. Appreciate you!
I could really feel the tension of approaching our Maya for the first time. Glad you have heart. ♥️
ALSO, beaming at being a part of the MIA experience. Good times.
Lowkey going to miss MIA! That time was so much fun! I struggled with this letter so much - I almost sent it to you the night before haha.
Marc, this is such a precious memory and you told it with such tenderness! Thank you for sweeping us into this NY love story. I chuckled at the grits loool
My mother actually reads these letters - I am secretly hoping she doesn't make it to the bottom!
ooop!
prayers up 😂😂
If ya'll don't get another one next week - you know what happened ☠️
🤣🤣🤣 aww man
Remind your mother your wife also reads these letters.
You are the most endearing man I've ever read. I'm so lucky to be able to read your words and feel your joy. Good going!
I feel the same. He’s pretty beautiful - and so - unsurprisingly - is his wife.
The world needs more of this beauty. I think there was a time before history when this was the norm. Otherwise, why would I desire so strongly a peace for earth? A peace full of kindness and desire to please one's mate and children. I want it again!
I think about this a lot. I wonder if these letters resonate more with people because men don't often share these stories . I'm hoping sometime next year to highlight and carve out a space for the men in my life who love the way I do. These voices are so important!
I agree, you don’t see this from men enough or at all. A lost art form that needs revival.
I'd love to know that all men feel like this. There's but a few who know how to articulate it as well as you. Maybe you're just special?
Donna, thank you for the kind words. Love does something to a man 😍 I appreciate you for always engaging since you've subscribed. Going to keep this up as long as I can!
You've relit a fire that went out inside me. Hearing you and your son talking to each other did something to me. I'd lost my empathy. It calcified and was close to desolving. That's all it takes, I guess? A few soothing sounds and my world opened again. Thank you, young man. Thank your Mom for me. She must be an angel?
Aw Donna, I don't even have the words. Thank you so much. I really owe this work to the women in my life. I worked at a really progressive school when I was teaching - those women really helped me a lot talk about my feelings. My wife is really my soulmate. All of this is because of God - I can't take the credit.
I think God may be speaking through your mouth or fingers. I can hear echoes of eternal love for humanity. You must have tapped into something awesome.
I know I sound silly, but I was almost disconnected from my life source. I'm 74, so it wouldn't have taken much more for me to just not wake up. My despair of knowing children are dying every breath I take has overwhelmed me. I could barely function when I thought of Gaza.
Your words with your son, your affirmations to him of his special place in the universe was and is a lifeboat for me. Thank you for saving me from drowning!
Donna, I'm so grateful for your comment. It reminds me how sharing our stories is liberating for not just me, but for others as well. The fact that these letters give you hope, joy, and love is the most rewarding feedback. I am going to keep this going as long as I can - for Myles of course, but for others who need to feel something different in a world so rife with pain and suffering. I am encouraged - thank you. You are not silly - you are passionate and loving.
Marc - I’m sending this (as I have your other work) out to different publications. There was I time I knew what printed media was out there - and even agents - but that was long ago. Still looking and asking the young parents I know where they look.
Patris, I can't thank you enough for going above and beyond. I need to add you to my weekly Monday to do list. Change Myles ✅ Make Breakfast ✅ Thank Patris! 📋
You worded this together so well, I could see the entire experience in my mind’s eye 🥰 #HopelessRomantic
1. Semi life changing in the sense of confirmation. I met a Florida based poet at a show in New York on Black Friday 2022. Unknowingly, he was also sitting at my table. We kept in touch on IG and I’m always mentioning to him about performing at another one of the shows (it happens monthly or bimonthly). We were having a conversation recently about mental health and he said something that gave me food for thought about how I show up in the professional space as a social worker and therapist so I shared that thought with him. He asked what I did and I told him. Immediately, I was invited to sit on his panel on IG live which was discussing mental health and coping as a creative artist. To sum it up, I was scared as I don’t enjoy the spotlight and took 2 days to agree while he was offering reassurance and it was amazing. It’s life changing for me because people that don’t know me recognize the gifting God gave me and even if I try to shy away there goes another encounter where what I know needed to be shared at that time.
3. The guy who runs the poetry show, I been wanting to say something to him for like a year now and don’t know what to say as an opener because I’m more concerned that it won’t go well and then I’m going to not want to come to the shows to avoid him.
5. Walking out the nail salon with a fresh manicure, pedicure and newly waxed eyebrows.
Talk to him!
I agree with Patris! You should talk to him - you miss all the shots you don;t take, so shoot it! I also understand how much you enjoy the shows. It can be awkward if it might not go well. I would hate for you to jeopardize that. I'm also wondering, if he may already get the vibes 👀. Keep me and Patris updated!
I don’t think he already get the vibes and if he do I’m obvious to it lol. I’m at majority of his shows so maybe that could help with the vibe check. We exchange greetings and a hug, sometimes I strike up a a little conversation and then that’s it. Next show is November 25, what should I say🥴?
I can't believe you want my advice after reading what I wrote lol
But since you're asking - Because you both know each other, why not ask if he is interested in getting something like coffee, drinks, ice cream when you see him? That feels super low stakes - I would even make sure it's during early afternoon. If this fails, promise you won't subscribe? lol
Course I’m asking cuz I feel like i would’ve been reacting the same way if I was on that platform. You had time to think about it lol. If it fails I’m not unsubscribing.
Keep us updated. What’s for you can’t miss you. Knowing and being sure is much better than anything else. Rooting for you!
Marc, I literally smiled my whole way through this. I love reading about love and you captured this so well. Just unique to y’all. I feel like I wanna watch y’all movie.
Thank you, Disney! No movie. BUT - We use to actually make YouTube videos before little man. If you’re interested I can email you the link! Just let me know.
Oh yes I would love to see!
#1 - yes, and nope, I have a young adult kid, he is all about bribery! 😎
The more you and I talk - I can't tell whether to be excited about him getting older or not lol
Enjoy every stage of his life!
🥹 this was beautiful, thank you for sharing Marc. I think you and your wife have one of the best meet cute stories I’ve ever heard, I smiled the whole way through reading. My partner & I met through mutual friends and became part of the same friendship group at university. We started off as friends, then became best friends and then fell in love. It felt like a real Monica & Chandler moment when it happened all those years ago because we kept it a secret from everyone for months (!) as we didn’t want to mess with the group dynamic. It was a very sweet pocket of time when our love was only known by us, sometimes I miss it a lot! An intoxicating bliss that nothing else elicits? Like a lovers high if you will haha
Martha, you can't simply just throw such a story in the comment section like this. I need the whole story - don't cheat me with the TLDR version. This sounds good! I appreciate you for reading. Few people really know what this kind of feeling feels like. We are lucky and blessed!
You're my hero on substack, Marc. Loveeeee the kind of depth your writing often communicate! This was so profound. Thank you for sharing 💓
Adebola, thank you! I am still working on my voice and tone in my work. It's good to see it landed for you and others. Thank you for sharing and engaging!
“...they had a flavor to them like someone took all her vowels and dipped them in butter.” All I can say is beautiful- that sentence, this piece. Beautiful. I can only imagine how much your son will appreciate reading these letters. I’m sure anyone who reads this appreciates it
Sakina, thank you! Originally I had the word "batter" there - I think butter fit better. I am oping to keep this up as long as he and time allows. Appreciate your kind words!
“How do you approach a woman to ask her for her time? To let her know that, even though, outwardly, you matched every other man who approached her that day, that inside you possessed something worth knowing?” I love thinking about this in the context of a message for your son.
And this meet story is wonderful. Alignment of the universe to put us on various paths is such a crazy thing to contemplate. Love the rubric cube analogy and the way the cube aligned in this moment for you and your wife (and son)! ♥️
Thank you Holly! I’ve told this story so many times, I’m happy I finally decided to write it. I’m convinced nothing happens by just happenstance. There is something in store for all of us - maybe we just have to step into it? Idk
Not me gasping when Maya saw you at MIA 😂 I loved this. Written in the stars for sure.
Appreciate you for reading Dajahnae ❤️