
Ali, 37, PR and marketing consultant, Philadelphia
SUNDAY
8 p.m., home: My live-in boyfriend of two years is acting tired and crabby, so the possibility of sex tonight does not look good. He's been working as a mechanic, but his dream is to be a writer - he just can't seem to buckle down. Now he's outside fixing a car. I'm six years older than he is, and it doesn't help that I'm on a financial upswing.
MONDAY
7:30 a.m., bed: Boyfriend wakes me up with kisses along my spine. It's been awhile since we've had sex. He says he hasn't been so interested lately. Sometimes I worry that because I'm older and more sexually experienced, he feels inadequate. Now he has to go to work.
6 p.m., work: Excellent day! Sold $30,000 worth of neon signs, which is more than enough to pay for our vacation next month. Pick up boyfriend's favorite dinner: cold fried chicken. There's a thunderstorm brewing - could be romantic.
8:30 p.m., home: Boyfriend comes in and falls asleep on couch in 15 minutes, then wakes up in a funk. He's pissed at me, and I don't know why. We end up sleeping in separate rooms.
10:30 p.m., bedroom: Watch the Sex and the City episode where Miranda tries to buy Steve a suit.
TUESDAY
8 a.m., home: Boyfriend leaves without saying anything to me.
7 p.m., home: Just got back. Boyfriend is at a friend's house working on another car. He's spending the night there . . .
WEDNESDAY
6 p.m., bedroom: We're going to my mom's house tonight. Hoping to have make-up sex before we go.
8 p.m., home: Have make-up chat instead. He was just in one of his moods, he says. He has some dark times when it's best to give him space.
THURSDAY
2 p.m., back from Mom's: Boyfriend's back hurts from driving. Then he pulls a muscle putting in a new A/C. Needless to say, no sex.
FRIDAY
8 a.m., home: Boyfriend is basically immobile. Fun times over here at the convalescent home.
SATURDAY
6 p.m., garden: It's a beautiful night, and my boyfriend's mood has improved considerably. Maybe it's the twinkly lights I strung up or maybe the steak I grilled, but finally, finally, finally . . . we run into the bedroom. Even though we have our ups and downs, I love him so madly.
- as told to Jessica Grose
More: Sex Stories You Have to Read! (opens in new tab)
-
The Agenda: Los Angeles
How to prepare for a visit to the City of Angels.
By Brooke Knappenberger
-
Our Editor's Favorite Curl-Defining Leave-In Conditioner Doubles As a Moisturizer for Skin
Stay hydrated, stay happy.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
Lucy Liu Opened Up About Her Decision to Have a Child Via Surrogate in Her Late 40s: "I Didn't Have a Plan"
It felt like the right time for her.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
How a 551 Square-Foot Condo Helped Me Come Out
When a purchase is more than just that.
By Bonnie Horgos
-
My Boyfriend Left Me on the Day of Our Closing—I Still Made the Purchase
I'd always wanted to own a home; a last-minute hurdle wasn't going to stop me.
By Jessica Hoffman
-
My Husband Left Me After 16 Years—So I Bought a Fixer Upper Across the Country
"This house could hold me. It had survived being abandoned, too."
By Danelle Lejeune
-
This Duvet Cover for Couples Is Actually Genius
When you want to sleep together, but can't agree on anything else about the situation.
By Cady Drell
-
This Artist Uses Gold and Glitter to Destigmatize Period Blood
Historically, we associate menstruating with shame. No more, says Fahren Feingold.
By Christina Cacouris
-
This NSFW Artist Is Reimagining What It Means For Women to Feel Erotic
“Feminism is just reclaiming sex as your own.”
By AnnaLiese Burich
-
Who Does the Dishes in Your Relationship Could Have an Impact on Its Success
New research shows men and women have distinct preferences when it comes to household labor—and that can impact relationship happiness.
By Rebecca Gale
-
Single Girl's Guide: How To Build Your Own House
Instead of just buying a home, at 24, Jessica Gilmore picked up a hammer. Single Girl's Guide To: Flying Solo | Traveling the World | Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro | Driving Cross Country | Meditating for a Month | Starting Over | Spending, Splurging, & Saving
By Marie Claire