Little Love Stories: "Everybody Knew It But Him"

Modern love in miniature, with reader-submitted stories no longer than 100 words.

Fortunately, there are no Else Place

I owned a little laundromat called "The Laundromat" on Fire Island. Carol came in with moldy sheets and towels from her shared home. I quoted him $48.50 (that was in 1976). "I'm from the Bronx," she said. “I don't pay $48.50 for laundry. I'm going to the other place. She left angry and didn't come back until an hour later, all disheveled, hot and annoyed. “There is no other place,” she said. "I know," I replied, "but I couldn't tell you because I know you wouldn't believe me." And that's how I met my dear wife of 43 years. — Rick Kushner

ImageTogether during one of our many summers on Fire Island.

A long-deferred dream

I was 7 or 8 when I felt attracted to other girls for the first time. I dreamed of falling in love with a woman. But I belonged to an evangelical church and I didn't think it was possible. I married a man at 25, hoping that would be enough. But dreams don't die easily. When I met Liz, 24 years of marriage and three children later, my soul awakened. Now, at 64, I am truly free. Free to be seen as I am, not as I claim to be. Free to live a love that far exceeds my dream. — Kim Stamp

ImageIn Jacksonville, Florida. My wife and my dream come true, Liz, are on the right.

A Good Sport

September 2020, Hanoi, Vietnam: Leigh (American-Belgian, Professor of International Literature) and Kamil (Polish-Vietnamese, MMA fighter/martial arts trainer). I was so alone. He was not. I needed a sport to pull me out of my deep depression. It worked. In two years of training sessions and board game nights, I fell in love with martial arts and Kamil. Everyone knew except him. In February 2022, Kamil's relationship was not working, Russia had invaded Ukraine, everything seemed tenuous. A friend asked him, "Why don't you go out with Leigh?" He did. A year later, I asked her to marry me. He will be. — Leigh Redemer

ImageEnjoying Hanoi together.

Office visit

I was days away from giving birth but still working. Someone said my name. I looked up to see my first true love looking at me. "What are you doing here?" I asked. He replied that he was in town for work, the...