21 Comments
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Justin's avatar

first time commenter, long time reader. can't wait to read more

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Moriah Mason's avatar

What great updates! That feeling that things are happening for you (good or bad) is really cool. I’d love the chocolate cake recipe!

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Rachel Cohn's avatar

It was a great cake - real crowd pleaser. It has an unusual ingredient: a hot cup of coffee.

https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1025466-easy-chocolate-cake?unlocked_article_code=1.1E4.bQuf.bWFcljPAJt3G&smid=share-url

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Moriah Mason's avatar

Thanks so much!

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Pleb Millennial's avatar

Glad things are going well. I'm one of the Hard Fork listeners who joined.

Your date broke two of my commandments:

1. No Coffee Dates: they're where exciting romantic opportunities go to die.

7. There is no immediate spark.

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Rachel Cohn's avatar

lol love your username - I hear you on coffee dates. I kind of think that’s their advantage. Hard to clear the bar of good coffee date - so the ppl who do rly stand out

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Chanaka's avatar

But isn't Coffee dates a good place to start when you don't know a person? What's your alternative?

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Natalie's avatar

I will say I do prefer getting a drink. Feels sexier. But I do agree with Rachel - if we can make it through a coffee date and feel a connection, that’s a good sign… not that I’ve ever tried it before 🤣 maybe I will now!

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Chanaka's avatar

That's fair. I feels like coffee or drinks sounds like the best place to start. Not too much stress 😅

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Pleb Millennial's avatar

My first date with my wife was ice skating.

"Getting to know" somebody isn't just about learning details and answers for a history test.

You're right that you want something that's a bit short and low stress, with both an easy out or a way to extend, but there are alternatives to a coffee shop.

If you're doing coffee or food, try a farmers market, food truck event, or community festival, because you can walk around and still have a third space to talk about.

Some kind-of successful dates I had: going for a run, art gallery, pop up exhibition, non-big five sporting events (lacrosse, roller derby), mini golf.

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Chanaka's avatar

That makes sense! Yeah!

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Laure Boutmy's avatar

The One Who Got Away link does not seem to work..!

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Emma In Law's avatar

lol thank you! I panicked when I saw the link didn't work haha -- always lovely reading you!

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Rachel Cohn's avatar

Haha as did I! Embarrassed

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Emma In Law's avatar

Noo but thank you for fixing, just read it and ugh, made me teary!

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Abel T's avatar

When are we getting updates on this Valentine's guy? Or generally any new edition of my favorite newsletter :)

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Rachel Cohn's avatar

this is very kind! very very soon! I took a long hiatus ... related to Valentine's guy... and I'm excited to have an update this weekend

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Abel T's avatar

Yippee! Can't wait!

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Lana Li's avatar

Yay! So glad to hear it’s been going promisingly well with new guy! I was a little confused by one numbered section only, I kept looking for a part 2 in this btw. And will we hear the questions for the Hinge CEO on your work podcast?

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Rachel Cohn's avatar

Thanks for this! Tweaked in light of your note. The interview with the CEO is out now - I recommend, interesting to hear Justin in his own voice. As for my specific questions for Justin, I'll include those next week when I share the newsletter

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