Friday Links

Posting a picture of my adorable cat, Miles (who had his own column here back in the day!) because it’s been way too long since I shared his face here and this crazy-news week calls for a bit of adorableness. Yes, Miles – who turns 18 next month! – is wearing a yarmulke and sitting on my lap at our Seder table Wednesday night. Happy Passover to all who celebrate, and Happy Easter to those who observe. Though my kids are Jewish, we celebrate Christmas but not Easter (other than occasional neighborhood egg hunts), which I once worried would be confusing – “Why does Santa come to our house but the Easter Bunny doesn’t?” – but, thankfully, it’s never been an issue. I also worried that the kids might think it strange that I never converted to Judaism even thought we’re raising them Jewish and celebrate most Jewish holidays together. Again, it’s never been an issue. It’s been a curiosity to them, but when they ask why I never converted (even my sister has converted!), they seem satisfied with my answer and it doesn’t seem to compromise their own Jewishness.

Anyway, the kids’ spring break officially kicks off today, and on Monday we’re headed to DC to see the sight for a few days. We’ve got a pretty solid itinerary so far but there’s room for additions and tweaks, so if you’ve got any great recommendations for things to do or places to eat, let me know!

Have a great weekend, and here are some links that might interest you, including about a woman who went on 34 first dates in 19 countries and a couple who accidentally got married this week at a place they probably immediately regretted.

A club in London specifically for lonely women to make friends has seen an explosion in membership recently. Would you join something similar where you live?

After her mother died, she set off to travel the world with a plan to go on a date in every country she visited. She’s gone on 34 first dates in 19 countries over the past year. Here’s something she’s learned:

“In the past, I looked at dating as a pass or fail. If I went out with someone on a date and it didn’t end in a goodnight kiss, or it didn’t end in the second date, I considered it a failure,” she says. “I don’t think of that anymore. I now realize the value of going on a date and being so grateful that someone opened up and gave you their time … shared their story with you.

“I’ve learned that romance comes in many forms,” she adds. “It doesn’t have to be expensive and there isn’t a certain formula that makes romance happen. For me, it’s when there’s connection and intentionality. It is the person who listens to you, who seeks to make you feel special, who wants to bring a smile to your face with a thoughtful gesture and the person who wants to know what you think and seeks to truly get to know you.”

“Catering to the overworked, the introverted and the way-too-baked, a new barbershop in San Francisco offers silent haircuts so that you no longer have to talk to your barber as they line you up.” Would you be into this if a salon near you incorporated this sort of service?

Oops: This Couple Accidentally Got Married At The Site Of Trump’s Arraignment: “I Did Not Plan For This”

Idaho has become the first state in the US to ban interstate travel among minors to obtain abortion care in states where it’s still legal:

The new “ abortion trafficking ” law signed on Wednesday, is the first of its kind in the U.S. It makes it illegal to either obtain abortion pills for a minor or to help them leave the state for an abortion without their parents’ knowledge and consent. Anyone convicted will face two to five years in prison and could also be sued by the minor’s parent or guardian. Parents who raped their child will not be able to sue, though the criminal penalties for anyone who helped the minor obtain an abortion will remain in effect.

Another awful news story from this week is the expulsion of two Black democrats in the Tennessee house over their gun-control protest (the third democrat who protested, a white woman, was not expelled). In events like this, I try to find the hope in the story. Gen Z gives me hope.

Apparently, if you “use any of these 9 phrases, ‘your relationship is more successful than most’ couples.” The first one on the list sounds a lil passive-aggressive, right? Like, if Drew, who isn’t as experienced a home cook as I am, made dinner one night and my response was “I appreciate your effort,” I don’t think that would land so well.

This therapist is right with the 5 relationship red flags most people ignore in the honeymoon stage

In case anyone needs this advice now or in the future: When a Friend Gets Too Much Botox