34 Comments

I love this and will share it with my daughter. I top of the laughter this line "confident in her solitude." Great and efficient.

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Jun 12Liked by Nan Tepper

I love this. Stories don't have to end with romantic couplehood! Best friendship = dazzling treasure.

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Yup. And my friend Jeanne IS a dazzling treasure. Who knew that a night out on the town would yield this lovely connection. I simply adore her. I'm so lucky.

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Jun 10Liked by Nan Tepper

Loved the sweet story. Loved how you described your smile - which is so much a part of you, so welcoming and joyous. I was called a fucking dyke in 1982 while walking in Washington Square Park with an ex. I can look back now and find it funny. But in those days, it was a bit scary. So yes, happy Pride!

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Thanks. It's a great memory. It's totally frightening to be targeted with hatred, and words have power. If the guy had been in our faces, it would have been completely different. And we were both pretty happy, enjoying the night. It was a ridiculous moment. I was thrilled that I was able to laugh at it.

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This was fantastic!! Really enjoyed reading this tender, funny, real piece. I love that you are still friends & laugh about this evening!!! You took ignorance & hate & spit it out- made it something new with the power of your joy, your new love. That you still do this together, brings me some kind of deep delight. Thanks for sharing!!!

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Thank you Colleen! Wow. You really got it. I appreciate that you read it, and enjoyed!

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This was a fun memory to read (and full of great detail). I am glad that the random connected turned into a lasting friendship.

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I'm glad you enjoyed reading it. I had dinner with that random connection last night, and she was so happy that I shared my impressions of her confidence as her younger self. She said she'd forgotten that aspect of her personality. I am truly blessed. When I read your second sentence I was momentarily confused, because I thought you were talking about the random connection you and I made here on Substack. I hope it turns into a lasting friendship...time will tell! I'm very lucky to have a wonderful assortment of beloved friends I've bumped into in different ways. Lots of years of love. I keep my people. Sending my best to you.

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Looks like a typo on my part. Sorry for the confusion. I am happy for you that you have such sustaining friendships. Some people have that knack and that skill. Some of us don’t.

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Me too! Almost as much as stripes. No, wait. Polka dots more? I'm not sure. xoxo

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I love polka dots.

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I want to see the outfit! do

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It's long gone, my dear. And I have no photos, much to my dismay. I felt very snazzy in it. And I recall wearing the whole thing with a pair of turquoise suede low-heeled jazz shoes. The shoes didn't make it up to the Hudson Valley, but the rest of the outfit did.

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I loved this, Nan. I met my best friend in the girls’ bathroom in 8th grade. Just one of those things where your eyes lock and you just know that somehow you already know this person. Still best friends to this day. Happy Pride xx

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Thanks, Ally. I wrote this from a prompt from @JeannineOuellette. The prompt was “a brief moment of exchange.” Prompts are awesome. xoxo

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Jun 5Liked by Nan Tepper

Love this! And you!

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Thank you, Mor! I love you "write" back! xoxo Happy Pride.

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Great story. Happy Pride!

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Thank you! Is this Lisa or John? Or both of you? Big hugs, and Happy Pride! xoxo

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I can listen to you tell this story over and over and over again. You bring so much hilarity to the phrase, "Fucking Dykes!" that I'll never hear that phrase any other way. Love this piece so much.

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Thanks! It was super fun to record...I love the voiceover feature...I'm a vegetarian ham.

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Jun 5Liked by Nan Tepper

Fun essay! It's cool that you're still friends!

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Thanks, Marguerite. Not just friends...BEST friends! xoxo

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Jun 5Liked by Nan Tepper

This essay was a great way to start my day. I’m still smiling.

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Happy Pride, Meryl! Sending love! xoxo

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Nan!! This was such a wonderful story!! So very vivid- I felt like I was right there with you!! Thank you for sharing this and Happy Pride!! 🌈😍🌈😍🌈

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Thank you! The story poured out of me because of a prompt from Writing in the Dark's @jeannineouellette Love when that happens! @jeannineouellette Happy Pride, Mesa!

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I love that!! She gives some of the best prompts!!

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It was my first time in the Write-In. I loved it. Heading over there soon. Are you?

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Jun 5Liked by Nan Tepper

I know I say this a lot, but this is SO BEAUTIFUL! So sweet. My eyes are still filled with tears.

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author

Thanks, Nome! I loved writing this piece. It was fun to go back and relish that memory. It was a really great night. xoxo

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