The joys of being in the dating stages with a new partner are unmatched. Not only are you able to try new foods, activities, and experiences with each other, but you’re deepening your bond and making lasting memories all the while.
The zeal for exploration is still fresh throughout the honeymoon phase, and planning dates come with the same ease that falling in love did. But there comes a point in every relationship when finding new ways to spend bonding time with bae can feel redundant or even stale — and it’s at that point when it’s time to add a dash of spice back into your date nights.
What Is Alphabet Dating?
A new trend called “alphabet dating” is here to rescue couples from the impending boredom in their dating life. As the name implies, this spin on date nights leaves your next outing in the hands of the alphabet. Starting from A and working their way to Z, daters can organize their plans all by associating them with each letter of the alphabet.
The trend first rose in virality in 2022 from creator Abby Benson-Schwallie, who shared her list of ABC-themed dates on TikTok. Since then, the trend has garnered millions of views from hopeless romantics looking for their next sweet move with their sweetheart.
Okay, So What Is Alphabet Dating?
@t0nit0ne TikTok · TONI TONE
The goal of ABC-dating is to re-spark the excitement of a couple’s dating life when the fire hasn’t quite been flaming the same.
Making time for your significant other is essential to maintaining a thriving love life, but it’s not always as easy when responsibilities, children, and major life shifts come into play. Hitting bouts of boredom in your dating life is natural and doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re headed toward “the end” after a couple of nights in.
However, if you feel like you and your lover are approaching a place where the spice of your dating life is no longer hitting the same, it may be a good time to hit the emergency brakes and add a few new ideas to your date nights.
What Are the Rules for the Alphabet Date?
@honeychocolatedrip A-Z #alphabetdating, countless memories, and even long distance couldn’t keep us apart🫶🏽 🤎 here’s to never stop DATING your partner 💌 • • • • • #atozdating #datingideas #couplesdate #dateideas #alphabetdates #alphabetdateseries #couplesgoals #couplesgoals #dating #datingtips #datingadvice #coupleslove #blackcouples #blacklove #relationshipgoals #relationshipadvice #longdistancelove #datediaries
What makes this trend so appealing is that you can never really run out of ideas as long as you have the creativity to build new concepts around the alphabet.
Maybe you only want to do S-themed dates for one month and then B-themed dates the next. Or perhaps you want to start at the end of the alphabet and work your way up. Maybe you and your beau are the traveling types, and you want to explore cities that only start with M. Whatever you and your partner choose, there will always be an option available to you, and possibly discover a new hobby together while you’re at it.
To get you started, we’ve put together a list of date night ideas that are boo-, BFF-, and solo-girl-friendly.
Alphabet Dating Ideas From A-Z
A - Art Museum, Arcade
B - Bowling, Bookstore
C - Concert, Cooking Class
D - Drive-In Movies, Dinner At New Restaurant
E - Exercise Class, Exhibit
F - Flea Market, Festival
G - Game Night, Go-Kart
H - Hiking, Home-Movie Night
I - Ice Skating, Ikea Shopping
J - Jazz Club, Jewelry Making
K - Karaoke, Kite Flying on The Beach
L - Laser Tag, Live Band
M - Movies, Mini Golf
N - Night Club, Netflix & Chill
O - Organize Together, Outdoor Camping
P - Picnic, Paint & Sip
Q - Quick Bite to Eat, Quilting Class
R - Road Trip, Random Act of Kindness
S - Sports Game, Spa
T - Theater, Target Run
U - Unplug, Uncommon Date Night
V - Vineyard, Virtual Reality Game Night
W - Wine Tasting, Waterpark
X - X-plore a New City
Y - Yoga, Yacht Day
Z - Zipline, Zoo
Happy dating!
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Aley Arion is a writer and digital storyteller from the South, currently living in sunny Los Angeles. Her site, yagirlaley.com, serves as a digital diary to document personal essays, cultural commentary, and her insights into the Black Millennial experience. Follow her at @yagirlaley on all platforms!
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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There’s caviar, and then there’s Black-owned caviar. With the recent explosion of #CaviarTikTok, this luxury delicacy seems to be everywhere these days. I can’t scroll through my feed without seeing our favorite celebs and influencers diving headfirst into extravagant caviar spreads.
From Rihanna pairing her caviar with chicken nuggets (I wonder if our Fenty queen shares with RZA and Riot Rose or if this is just for mama) to Bethenny Frankel educating us on caviar with her series "Caviar University," there’s just no escaping it.
And let’s not forget the elite king himself, DeAndre Brown, indulging in fried chicken and caviar! From videos with caviar-topped burgers, potato latkes, deviled eggs, and pasta dishes—folks are topping everything with caviar. Yet, I had not come across any Black-owned caviar brands until I discovered Caviar Dream.
My Introduction Into Caviar
I started off eating caviar in undergrad on top of sushi, exploring with a variety of roe and tobiko but as an adult, I knew I was ready to try something a little more refined. The first time I fell in love with caviar was in grad school at a southern Italian restaurant in Flatiron.
I tried an appetizer that featured caviar on bruschetta, served with thick garlic bread and burrata cheese, and from that moment, I was hooked. That has become my favorite way to enjoy caviar next to this filet mignon crostini appetizer that I served recently at a dinner party.
Everything You Need To Know About Caviar Dream
Caviar Dream is the first nationally distributed Black and woman-owned caviar business, redefining how people experience caviar. Founded by Kendra Anderson, a Chicago based chef and sommelier, the company’s mission is to make caviar more accessible and inclusive, breaking down barriers and demystifying this delicacy.
@caviardreamkendra so you’ve got your Caviar Dream…now what to eat it with? i’ve probably had cavi with just about anything you can imagine at this point {topped some fried cheese curds with my California White a few months ago and it was 💥} but i gotta say that i have some on my scrambled eggs every week 😌 no need to get fancy — just scramble your eggs however you usually do and scoop that cavi right on top 🤤 you can upgrade from there in a few ways: ✨ add a dollop of crème frâiche {see my previous video for a 30 second make-at-home recipe} ✨ sprinkle some chopped chives or green onions on top ✨ put the whole caviar / scrambled egg situation on a toasted + buttered bagel, croissant or onion bun! p.s.: i love our Smoked Trout Roe with scrambled eggs too 💖 if you try any of these combos, let me know what you think! 🩵💭✨👩🏽🍳 #CaviarDream #caviarforthepeople #putsomecaviaronit #caviar #caviartok #fyp #caviarparty #caviarnight #affordableluxury #chicagotiktok #homecooking #galentines #valentinesday #tiktokuniversity #cooking #easyrecipe #caviar101
What Caviar I Tried
Caviar Dream Kaluga Hybrid ($105-$420 depending on the ounce)
How I Experienced The Caviar:
For this review, I opted for a more traditional approach by pairing Caviar Dream's Kaluga Hybrid with crème fraîche, blinis, and my favorite Black-owned champagne, Le KOOL Champagne by Robert Kool Bell.
My Honest Review:
I do not say this lightly - this was by far the best caviar I’ve ever had in my life. It was buttery, had no aftertaste, and truly felt as luxurious as it looked.
Prior to this, my favorite caviar was Imperial Caviar. I’ve tried many brands, from well-known to affordable, while recreating my favorite decadent appetizers at home or enjoying caviar bumps at parties with my friends and they were my favorite until now.
Caviar Dream boasts that chefs are obsessed with this versatile hybrid, which tastes more expensive than it actually is—and they were right. This buttery caviar would pair well with any recipe, especially if you’re looking to impress someone or even treat yourself.
As a Black woman, a business owner, and someone who understands that an extension of financial wellness is circulating our dollars, I recognize the importance of incorporating Black-owned businesses throughout every aspect of my life. From my skincare to my favorite sustainable wine, my bank, and even indulgent experiences like caviar, it matters.
As we celebrate culinary innovation and expand our palates, let’s also take the extra step to support Black-owned businesses while doing it. So the next time you’re tempted by the allure of caviar, order from Caviar Dream—it just might become your new favorite.
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