On love...
t still floors me how one can be engulfed by love. How deeply and ardently we can feel for another person – so much so that we might write them public declarations of our devotion, as Ayò.bámi Adébáyò. and Emmanuel Iduma reveal on page 24, or choose to lie on top of them, bodies morphing into one, like the two men in Erica Reade’s Beach Lovers portraits on page 32 (I first saw this exhibition in New York last summer and I am so happy to now be sharing it in Red). Indeed, Skye Mcalpine’s newest book, A Table Full Of Love, is her expression of affection in food form, and, as she says, on page 108, ‘There’s no better way to make someone fall head over heels for you than to cook them a meal.’
This issue is dedicated to love and all its dimensions. From the challenges of starting a relationship in the midst of a mental health crisis, as Clare Mohan did with her partner Erin, on page 144, and the complexities of managing your money as a couple on page 56, to comedian and podcaster Cariad Lloyd’s thoughtful and wise advice on how to navigate the loss of a loved one on page 36. And, of course, because we all know love must first take root in ourselves, we sent writer Chloe Gray to a ‘pussy consciousness experience’ on behalf of Red, to investigate the promise that embracing her body would be the first step to a life of happiness. Intrigued? Turn straight to page 140.
The joy of reading Red from cover to cover, is that I always find something game-changing for my own life. This month – apart from learning double denim and kohl pencils are both back – it’s former monk Jay Shetty’s advice for ‘practising love’, on page 40. He suggests using a framework called ‘The Four Es’: first, you partake in Entertainment (like watching TV), you level up with Experiments and Experiences (trying something new together), then it’s Education (learning in tandem) and finally Engaging (taking part in meaningful activity that requires you to support each other). My husband, Jaron, and I are currently choosing between climbing (his suggestion) or rollerskating classes (mine). I’ll keep you posted!