all illustrations, including lead art, by Aubrey Casazza
Dating is an adventure for the daring and intrepid, often requiring resources like self-awareness, a group chat, clean jeans, and therapy. Sometimes it requires even more concrete things to throw into our bags before we leave the house! Here are the things we try never to leave home without if we’re headed to a first date or a hopeful hookup.
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At my first date with my gf, in my bag I had used shower stuff and gym gear. Because it can only help to be freshly showered but also, still pumped from the gym right? Only bringing my best arms on a first date yknow.
this is making me realize I am a woefully unprepared gay
I’ve been known to go on a first date with nothing but my wallet, because let’s be honest, we’ll be going back to my place. I’m a Taurus: I’ll always have the comfiest bed, softest mood lighting and best snacks. Pre-date rituals center largely around house cleaning :)
god I love Taurus’ and that entire situation
I’ve never been that lucky on a first date so the extra I usually bring is cannabis(usually in a handy pen form with maybe) & if it’s a scenic place a camera setup that fits in my pocket. Both have been useful conversation starts in casual environments. Then again I haven’t been on enough dates as the last five were canceled the day of. Boo. But, this round table does look useful.
on my last first date i brought freshly baked sugar cookies shaped like skulls so read into that what you will
i also always have at least one multitool, a first aid kit (size determined by my bag), headphones, and a phone charger. swiss army butch 4 life
HEATHER.
Heather Hogan. I just. 💛
I love these illustrations, they’re gorgeous. Is Aubrey going to be making art regularly for AS? I hope so. I clicked on her name in the intro but it said “Page not found”.
This just makes me want to stuff more into my overstuffed handbag. I’ve never had a first date kit.
HEATHER what was the book?!
The Tale of Despereaux, by Kate DiCamillo!
“‘Once upon a time,’ he said out loud to the darkness. He said these words because they were the best, the most powerful words that he knew and just the saying of them comforted him.”
heather you are an actual soft butch lesbian disney princess
But like with Dimitri’s style from Anastasia (which I know is not a Disney movie!). 🧡
back when i was aggressively slutting about I had my normal going out fanny pack (small, black, tasteful) as well as a neon pink 80s monstrosity I’d wear on tinder dates, dubbed “party bag!”
my roommates would know immediately when i stepped into the living room what kind of night I was gonna have. we had a little call & response where they’d go “party bag!” and i’d go “getting laid!”
i miss those days. party bag holds pens now. sometimes I go to get an eraser and let out a wistful “getting laid!”, just for old times sake.
I knew making out and/or sex was thing people could do on a first date, but after reading this I didn’t realize how common it actually is.
Gotta say this makes me feel more demi/ace than I usually do ^^;
Of course Heather would have the loveliest most romantic thing to contribute.
I’m still waiting for the date that ends in staying up talking all night, partially about how Willow and Tara and Buffy the Vampire Slayer as a whole shaped our adolescence haha.