first date: rose.

Salem, Massachusetts. The late 1600s. Maxine Mayfield & El Hopper are accused of witchcraft, for no reason other than being in love.

I have gone out, a possessed witch, haunting the black air, braver at night; dreaming evil, I have done my hitch over the plain houses, light by light: lonely thing, twelve-fingered, out of mind. A woman like that is not a woman, quite. I have been her kind.

I have found the warm caves in the woods, filled them with skillets, carvings, shelves, closets, silks, innumerable goods; fixed the suppers for the worms and the elves: whining, rearranging the disaligned. A woman like that is misunderstood. I have been her kind.

I have ridden in your cart, driver, waved my nude arms at villages going by, learning the last bright routes, survivor where your flames still bite my thigh and my ribs crack where your wheels wind. A woman like that is not ashamed to die. I have been her kind.

- Anne Sexton, Her Kind

wir lieben nur die lila Nacht, die schwül ist, weil wir ja anders als die Andern sind // we only love lavender night, who is sultry because we are just different from the others!

- Das lila Lied

Many crowns of violets, roses and crocuses

…together you set before more and many scented wreaths made from blossoms around your soft throat..

…..with pure, sweet oil …you anointed me, and on a soft, gentle bed.. you quenched your desire...

…..no holy site...

we left uncovered, no grove...

U.S. Women’s Soccer Stars Max Mayfield and El Hopper Find Love Off The Field

Washington D.C. When the US Women’s Soccer Team won against Canada in the final round of the CONCACAF W Championship, it felt almost routine. They had been dominating their competition the whole tournament after all. But for two members of the team, it would change their lives forever. When the final whistle blew and the team was celebrating their victory, cameras caught teammates Max Mayfield and El Hopper sharing a tender kiss on the field for the whole stadium– and the world– to see. A few hours later, it was confirmed in Out Magazine that they are in a relationship with an exclusive interview, marking the first time the two of them have ever discussed their sexual identities in the media.

Jane “El” Hopper, known for her impressive strikes as a forward, and Max Mayfield, a talented midfielder with quick passes, have been teammates for several years. But their connection goes beyond just playing on the same team; they have been friends since they were children before being scouted by the USWNT while in college. Soon after, the team started gaining prominence both nationally and internationally, all the while a romance was brewing between the two players.

As for why they chose to share their story with the world now, Mayfield says that it was planned weeks in advance, “We were ready for the world to know. We’ve been together for years now, there was no reason to hide. The interview was coming out whether we won or not, so I’m happy that it was prefaced with a victory.”

The announcement was met with outpouring support from their teammates, fans and the broader soccer community. It has also sparked a new conversation about LGBTQ athletes as well as same-sex relationships in the sports world. Experts have noted that this marks a significant step forward for LGBTQ representation in professional sports, especially within the traditionally male dominated world of soccer. While there is still historical stigma and fear of discrimination that makes it challenging for professional athletes to come out, Hopper and Mayfield’s story has been considered by many as courageous and inspiring.

Going forward, Hopper and Mayfield hope that their story can help others embrace their true selves and make sports more inclusive for everyone. Hopper remarks, “It’s time for LGBTQ+ athletes to feel supported and empowered in their teams and communities.” Their impact has been tremendous already, with many people expressing their resonance with the players. One parent of a teen soccer player is grateful that his lesbian daughter has role models like Hopper and Mayfield to look up to.

As the sports world takes steps towards greater inclusivity, Max Mayfield and El Hopper’s decision to share their relationship will stand as a pivotal moment in the ongoing effort to break down barriers and create a more accepting environment for LGBTQ+ athletes in all disciplines.

daytime: a trip to a street market. hand running through racks of clothing, fingers rubbing against denim and silk and polyester. the haziness of the afternoon sun mixing with the cold ice cream. vendors proudly showing off antique treasures with decades and centuries of history. picking out jewelry and records for each other. the gentle hum of activity as shoppers bustle about, browsing and bargaining.

oh, to be in love

and never get out again

- oh to be in love, kate bush

i wanna hold the hand inside you

i wanna take the breath that’s true

There’s something magical about summer. Being enveloped by the warmth of the sun, Helios shining down on us. El has never looked more beautiful, radiant and glistening under a thousand rays. There’s a brilliance in her eyes as she toppled over and rolled into me down the hill, her laughter bringing about warmth that could rival the sun’s. The days felt long, with a syrupy quality like molasses, but I remember everything. I remember the chemical smell of sunscreen, the shapes that the clouds took under our gaze, the feeling of her hand in mine as we cycled down an unfamiliar path. The flowers were in full bloom, but all I could see was her. And as she reached out to touch a petal of a lone daisy, it was almost as if the flower responded to her touch, and she’s just that magnetic. We ran wide-eyed down the fields stretching as far as the eye could see. The feeling of the freshly cut grass underneath my bare feet, I want to stay in it forever. I remember the clink of the ice cubes in our lemonade– too tart for my liking but I didn’t mind. I can still feel the ghost of her touch along my spine as I lay there on the checkered blanket that’s far too expensive for what it was. But now it’s almost the end of summer and all the ice cream has melted and the bubbles have burst and the ferris wheel has stopped, but she’s still here. She’s here in my embrace, and it’s better than any long walk on the beach that has our toes curling against the sand. El sighs as the sun sinks below the horizon like clockwork and paints the sky pink and orange in front of us. A parting gift of breathtaking wonder. I place a soft kiss on her head, playing with her hair, sending ripples of the last light of the day through the strands, “So… I’m guessing summer’s your favorite season, huh?”. And her sweet giggles are enough to emulate the feeling of the warm breeze in your hair for the next year, until the evenings are filled with a chorus of crickets chirping once again.

The Great American Road Trip

Day 2. 07/22/1993. St. Louis, MO to Cuba, MO. (Day 1.)

List of songs they played in the music alphabet game before it got interrupted when Jonathan spotted a sign to a nature reserve:

Another One Bites The Dust- Queen

Bastards of Young- The Replacements

Careless Whisper- George Michael

Death or Glory- The Clash

Eternal Flame- The Bangles

Friday I’m In Love- The Cure

A couple of dashing young gentlemen, according to the server at a roadside diner.

“Yep, we’re definitely lost.”

“How?! We’re literally driving on one highway.”

“Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. We must’ve missed the exit a couple miles back.”

“So why the hell are we still driving, Steve?”

“Hey, it’s okay. So what if we’re lost? Let’s embrace it… it’s not like we have to be somewhere by the end of the day. Let’s just take it easy, okay? Who knows where we’ll end up?”

“Ugh, I hate that you’re right. It’s just… I planned this perfect road trip for us and I wanted everything to go well.”

“Aw, come on, Jonathan. We’re going on this awesome adventure together, that already makes it perfect for me. Who cares if we miss out on some roadside attractions?”

“I know, I know… let’s embrace the lost.”

Directions to Missouri Baking Co. from a friendly guy they met near the motel

Day 2: We didn’t get in a lot of mileage compared to yesterday, but still a lot of fun. We spent the morning in St. Louis, going around the neighborhoods. We tried both the gooey butter cake and the concrete (bad name) since everyone we met said we had to try them. Jonathan couldn’t finish his root beer concrete so I finished it off for him, but I think my butterscotch was better. 10/10 desserts. Then we got out of the city and continued on our journey. We escaped the summer heat in the Meramec Caverns, which had some really interesting rock formations. It’s weird. I never realized America could be this beautiful, but it’s only been two days and I’m in awe of all the natural beauty around me. We spent the better half of the afternoon exploring near Stanton. Jonathan also got footage of some cowboys that we happened to run into, so we’re both pretty happy. We’re finally staying at one of the historic motels along the old route, and Cuba is such a charming little town that honestly reminds me of Hawkins a bit. I’ve realized on this trip so far that it’s not the destination that makes the journey memorable, but all the moments in between– the sights, the mishaps, the jokes. We plan to make it to Carthage tomorrow… I hope I can find some more souvenirs to take home.

The Great American Road Trip

Day 1. 07/21/1993. Chicago, IL to St. Louis, MO.

Day 1: Jonathan and I are on the Route 66. Finally. We have been planning this trip for a while, and we’re going from Chicago to Santa Monica the whole way through, then visiting Argyle. I’ve been wanting to go on a cross country road trip for a long time, so it’s great that we get to go now. We stopped by a vendor at the pier first and got some sunglasses for the road. Jonathan said I’m too obsessed with sunglasses. I don’t think so though. It’s not my fault I look incredibly cool in them. He looks really good in them too, not that he’ll ever admit it. He wouldn’t let me take a picture of him with two sunglasses on at the same time, but he looked pretty silly. We drove for a few hours to Springfield where we stopped for a quick lunch at a diner. Actually, Jonathan drove and I provided meaningful commentary the whole way. Jonathan also won’t stop filming everything he sees with his video camera… he’s making a film later of our trip. Robin told me I should keep a journal too, write down stuff I find interesting along the way. Which I saw a lot of. One of which is this big statue called The Gemini Giant in Wilmington. He had an astronaut helmet that looks more like a mask for welding, but it was pretty cool. My favorite stop of the day was the detour to the old brick road which is part of the original stretch of the Route. We’re already out of Illinois and made it to St. Louis even with all our stops. But it was already dark when we arrived so we’ll have to see the Arch tomorrow. I’m absolutely wiped because I took over the driving role after Springfield, but today was more fun than I even imagined.

“Do you really have to record everything?”

“Oh yes, this is very important. We’re capturing the essence of Americana… gorging yourself on a hamburger with bacon. Pure American decadence.”

“Give me that, I’m not being the only one with my mouth open on camera.”

“Alright, alright. Here you go, get a shot of our milkshakes together.”

“So, Jonathan. Tell the camera, how have I been as a road trip companion so far?”

“Hmm, very distracting.”

“What? I’m offended.”

“Don’t look at me like a kicked puppy, I mean it in a good way. I’ve just never seen you this lively or taken with anything, that’s all. This is about fulfilling your dream as much as it is about mine. It is like being a kid all over again, isn’t it? Going places we’ve never been before and seeing new things. It’s just hard to focus on the road when your eyes are lighting up beside me with every weird landmark we pass.”

“Nice save there, Jon. I am glad we get to do this together. It’s already some of the most fun I’ve had, and you are a great partner to go on a road trip with.”

“Likewise, Steve. I can’t believe we’ve never done this before.”

“And why don’t you give us something from that book of yours as parting words for anyone who might be seeing this?”

“I don’t think we’ll be showing this to anyone but sure… let’s see… okay, here. ‘What is that feeling when you’re driving away from people and they recede on the plain till you see their specks dispersing?—It’s the too-huge world vaulting us, and it’s good-bye. But we lean forward to the next crazy venture beneath the skies.’”

“Alright… I think I understood what that means… now, back on the road!”

Steve & Jonathan listen to this on repeat for about 5 times before they both grow tired of it. Steve then wonders if there are any other songs about Route 66 to which Jonathan goes on a 15 minute long lecture about the origin of the song, from Nat King Cole to the other renditions. Steve listens with a fond smile as Jonathan becomes more animated behind the wheel, and plays the tape again just for the fun of it.

Souvenirs obtained: one fridge magnet that says Route 66 Illinois for Joyce, one miniature car to put on Steve’s shelf, one postcard set for the memories.

Meals make the society, hold the fabric together in lots of ways that were charming and interesting and intoxicating to me. The perfect meal, or the best meals, occur in a context that frequently has very little to do with the food itself. - Anthony Bourdain

Unspecified modern year. New York. Nancy is the chef de cuisine at a causal fine dining restaurant that specializes in modernizing classic French cooking. She’s formally trained at culinary school and hopes to open her own French bistro one day. Jonathan, a self taught baker and pastry chef, owns a small bakery right next door to Nancy’s restaurant. He makes familiar and comforting pastries every day, and finds the exacting nature of baking soothing. Nancy first meets him when she gets breakfast from his bakery, and they immediately hit it off and start dating soon after.

Their schedule is not very flexible; Jonathan has to wake up really early in the morning while Nancy usually works late nights at the restaurant. But that doesn’t stop them from spending quality time with one another. They have other interests– like photography and writing– but at the end of the day, food is their love language. Nancy loves introducing Jonathan to new food, laughing when he grimaces through trying oysters for the first time. They often go restaurant hopping, showing each other their own hidden gems in the city. Jonathan has an extensive list of unknown hole-in-the-wall places all over the city that Nancy hasn’t even heard of, and they try everything from hot dogs to Korean BBQ to crepes.

Nancy doesn’t really like to cook for herself after a long night at the restaurant, so Jonathan always prepares something for her when she comes home. Even after years of working in the food industry and tasting some of the best food in the world, Jonathan’s lasagna is still Nancy’s favorite food in the world. Jonathan didn’t like being adventurous with food before, but dating Nancy and taste testing her new menu ideas, he has begun to develop a broader palate. Similarly, Nancy, who hated how precise and scientific baking is, has an appreciation for the art now. She even makes Jonathan’s favorite cookies for him, adding something fun like marshmallow to the classic recipe.

music is how we decorate time- Jean-Michel Basquiat

a decade of decorating time

1989. their favorite albums of the year.

1990. records shop date. jonathan gets nancy 'faith' by george michael. nancy picks out 'peepshow' by siouxsie and the banshees for jonathan.

1991. left under their door from their neighbor after they played pet shop boys the whole night at high volume.

1992. a gift from nancy to jonathan. the cure's 'wish' pendant necklace.

1994. lollapalooza, taken from jonathan’s camera.

1993 & 1996. two of many concert ticket stubs.

1995. nancy is learning how to play the guitar. they make the drive to hawkins, humming along to fantasy by mariah carey.

1997. scribbled on a piece of paper at a bar. then endlessly fretted over and tweaked and added until it feels right.

1998. nancy's new cd player to listen to while writing. jonathan puts his own spin on the cd covers.

1999. after an evening at an unplugged gig. photo taken by will.