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Essays

Personal stories about parenting, health, pop culture and more.

Back to life

I took my fiancé wedding dress shopping — and he hated everything

No matter which dress I tried on, he had something to critique. 

I asked my fiancé to surprise me with our honeymoon destination. Here's how it went

I packed for the trip not knowing where we were going. Here’s how it turned out.
Elena Nicolaou and fiance, Dave
Elena Nicolaou and fiance, Dave

Nickelodeon child star Kira Kosarin: What it was like to go through puberty on national TV

In a personal essay, the 26-year-old actor and singer reflects on growing up in front of the cameras, leaving and returning to acting.
Kira Kosarin
Kira Kosarin

Divorce is having a moment. And I wish it had happened 10 years ago

I thought I needed some catastrophic reason to get divorced, and so I felt isolated and embarrassed — now, I see that my own happiness was reason enough.
photo collage of divorce woman shredding wedding photo
photo collage of divorce woman shredding wedding photo

I’m not into the royal family. So why am I so obsessed with what’s happened to Kate?

The saga seems to have transfixed everyone, and I’m no exception.
The British Royal Family Attend The Christmas Morning Service
The British Royal Family Attend The Christmas Morning Service

Bradley Cooper didn’t connect with his baby right away. Neither did I, but I got shamed for it

While I relate to his honesty, I wish moms were allowed to be as open about the difficulties of adjusting to parenthood.
Bradley Cooper
Bradley Cooper

When I became a mom, I rediscovered my father — 20 years after his death

Every night when he tucked me in, he would ask if I had any questions. I have so many now. But I do know this: You can die and still live.
Image of autor and dad overlaid by his writing
Image of autor and dad overlaid by his writing

A Black woman’s ode to nail art

“The nail salon, like the hair salon, is a sacred space for many women, but especially for Black women.”
collage of disposable photos at a nail salon
collage of disposable photos at a nail salon

I played Willy Wonka at the viral Glasgow event. I feel just as scammed as everyone else

"I was told I’d be Willy Wonka at an amazing experience for children. Instead, I was in a top hat bought off Amazon, in a warehouse with mobs." 

Craig Melvin on raising mixed-race children: ‘We figure it out as we go along’

For Black History Month, TODAY's Craig Melvin shares his experience of being a father to kids Delano, 9, and Sybil, 7, with wife Lindsay Czarniak.

My mom’s Haitian spaghetti is like a plate of confetti — a celebration of our history

It took me years to appreciate what it took for this dish to end up on my plate.
My mom’s Haitian spaghetti (espageti) recipe will blow your mind
My mom’s Haitian spaghetti (espageti) recipe will blow your mind