As a part of our maudern people series, we asked San Diego-based designer Emma Brooks for insights on modern intimacy. Emma is the founder of Pair Up—a small batch fashion line.
Relationship Status:
Married to Bubba Brooks, Biologist
With social distancing & quarantine, how has intimacy and human contact changed?
My husband and I moved from Boston to San Diego right before the quarantine hit. We don't have a community down here (yet!) so the few months leading up to all this were spent exploring our new home, making friends, enjoying the beaches... now that we've had to pull back from that, it's just the two of us in our little home. Spending this much time with one person, even if it's your life partner, is difficult. Honestly, I've found our most intimate moments to be when we're talking... whether the discussion is positive or negative, holding that space for each other has never felt more important.
How do you make time for intimacy?
Every day is different and I love it that way. Repetition drives me absolutely bonkers so I try not to create routines or schedules. If I'm feeling inspired, I'll work. If I'm sad, I'll sit in the sun, etc. Moments of intimacy occur when my head and heart tell me I need them :) I try to keep it simple.
What is a new activity you are planning to try?
We got rollerblades, ha. I'm horrible!
What is a movie you will definitely watch?
Anything that Le Cinema Club is playing - they release a new film every Friday, for free! Although, my newest obsession is The Criterion Channel. They have a library of over 1,000 classic and contemporary films for streaming. It feels so good to get off Netflix and watch works of art from the 40s, 50s, and 60s. It's my primary source of inspiration right now.
A favorite literary or on-screen romance:
Elio and Oliver has already been taken so... Pam and Jim
