Tuesday, February 17, 2026

A Tiny Love Story

 The Sunday New York Times has a column titled “Modern Love” in which different writers relate a love-related story from their lives. It’s really nice. Included in the space is “Tiny Love Stories,” also by various writers, “regular people.” You get a total of 100 words to tell your story, making it an interesting writing challenge. I decided to give it a try. I submitted it, so we'll see! In any case, it was fun to write.


Meet Cute

It was 1976, summertime. A fellow French horn player was going on vacation and asked if I would sub for her in a summer band. At the first rehearsal, one of the tuba players approached me and asked, “What kind of horn (brand) do you play?” “It’s an Alexander,” I replied. “I play an Alex too!” he said. A couple months later I saw him again at a concert in Chicago. “Hey, I’m a band director. Would you like to teach my horn students?” he asked. A coffee date followed. We have been married for 46 years.


nytimes.com/tinylovestories



10 comments:

  1. I *love* Modern Love but have gotten out of habit of reading the long and the short stories. I love your "meet cute" and am tucking this idea away for March :)

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    1. Thank you! I look forward to reading yours in March.

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  2. This is so fun and enlightening. It would be a great task for h.s. students, maybe changing love story to date or friendship story. I’m sharing w/ h.s. teacher friends. And I learned so much about you in 100 words, Becky. I might need to submit one. I often tell folks my husband and I are a cliche: We met in a country and western bar and got married in Vegas.

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    1. Thank you! Yes, it would be a great assignment for students. The word limit is a good challenge, making one really consider one's choices.

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  3. Becky, I love the NYTimes mini stories AND yours as well. It is very powerful to condense your thoughts into fewer words. You did it

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  4. Becky, thanks for introducing me to something new. I loved your mini love story and look forward to checking out the ones in the NYTimes.

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    1. I think you'll probably get hooked, like me! I always read them, and the longer story that is published with the Tiny Love Story.

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  5. I love those features in the NY Times. I am dlighted that you wrote it. I hope they publish it!

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  6. Oh, what a great feature! I love your sweet love story about playing your horn and meeting the love of your life. I'm glad you wrote it, shared it, and submitted it! Best wishes!

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