Modern Love (Times Column)

July 29, 2026

Tiny Love Stories: ‘Women Undulating Underwater’

Brian Rea Back on Land After years of trying for another baby, I couldn’t stop thinking about Florida’s Weeki Wachee mermaids — women undulating underwater in […]
July 22, 2026

Tiny Love Stories: ‘A Full, Hiccuping Meltdown Over Nothing’

Brian Rea Introducing Uncle Jay My daughter’s birthday falls three days after my late brother’s. Every July, while I hang lanterns and fill gift bags, grief […]
July 15, 2026

Tiny Love Stories: ‘How to Woo Her?’

Brian Rea Juanita’s Last Laugh “Oh, dear,” my aunt murmured when my grandmother’s gravestone arrived. We had chosen a loving inscription, “Nunca nos olvidaremos de ti,” […]
July 8, 2026

Tiny Love Stories: ‘Why Aren’t You Having Sex Anymore?’

Modern Love in miniature, featuring reader-submitted stories of no more than 100 words. Brian Rea Two Unexpected Questions Finding love as a single Jewish mother of […]
June 3, 2026

Tiny Love Stories: ‘As He Dressed, I Slipped Into His Closet’

Modern Love in miniature, featuring reader-submitted stories of no more than 100 words. Brian Rea In Aunt Dottie’s Eyes “What if that baby looks … Irish?” […]
May 20, 2026

Tiny Love Stories: ‘A Misdirected Midlife Crisis’

Modern Love in miniature, featuring reader-submitted stories of no more than 100 words. Brian Rea All Those Notes My daughter, age 44, has died. One thing […]
May 6, 2026

Tiny Love Stories: ‘I Could Feel Him Watching Me’

Modern Love in miniature, featuring reader-submitted stories of no more than 100 words. The First to Fall The first night he came over, I was already […]
April 29, 2026

Tiny Love Stories: ‘Everyone Was a Few Drinks In’

Modern Love in miniature, featuring reader-submitted stories of no more than 100 words. Brian Rea Begrudgingly Enchanted When I worked at Disneyland, I mercilessly mocked people […]
April 22, 2026

Tiny Love Stories: ‘Even Our Waitress Was Bored’

Modern Love in miniature, featuring reader-submitted stories of no more than 100 words. Brian Rea Through the Storm When the depression deepens, he retreats. Others won’t […]
April 15, 2026

Tiny Love Stories: ‘Embarrassed Yet Unable to Stop’

Modern Love in miniature, featuring reader-submitted stories of no more than 100 words. Brian Rea Asking a Plant’s Permission When I was young, my grandmother would […]