Love Letter: Coming out at 50

Plus: A sex scandal that wasn’t and “The Book That Taught the World to Orgasm and Then Disappeared.”
Love Letter
October 16, 2026

Our top story today is about Shelly, who embraced her sexuality at 50 and is running headfirst into a new life thanks to the help of a “coming out coach.” It’s a heartwarming story of grief, growth and family.

Click on the links below to find a story about a politician who embraces his kinky side, a discussion on whether a relationship with a chatbot is real and a look at the three-day wedding of Conor Kennedy and Giulia Be.

P.S. It’s cuffing season. For some, that means a new relationship. For others, it may mean moving in. Send this to someone so they have to guess what you’re implying.

POPULAR THIS WEEK

Closeup portrait of Shelly with a light shining on her face. The area around her remains shadowed. She wears eyeglasses.

Sophie Park for The New York Times

Living Her Truth

Coming out at 50 can be hard. Shelly found a coach. →

A black and white photograph shows a blonde woman in sunglasses and a high-necked brocade jacket and skirt set.

Trevor Leighton/National Portrait Gallery, London

Reads and re-reads

“The Book That Taught the World to Orgasm and Then Disappeared.” →

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The Ezra Klein Show

the ezra klein show

Is it a relationship if no one’s on the other side? →

A photograph of a black leather harness with an American flag pin on top of it. The background is yellow.

Photo illustration by Sam Whitney/The New York Times

Opinion

The sex scandal that wasn’t →

An illustration of two women sitting on the floor amid scattered photos that form the shape of a man's face.

Brian Rea

Modern Love

I met the unknown daughter of my late fiancé. →

LISTEN TO THE “MODERN LOVE” PODCAST

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Modern Love

Does My Son Like His Stepmother More Than Me?

How one mom found a place in her son’s new family.

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48 MIN LISTEN

MORE STORIES ABOUT LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS

TINY LOVE STORIES

“Fate, apparently, remains undefeated.” →

A red-and-black illustration of two women talking across the divide of their office cubicles.

Vows

Conor Kennedy and Giulia Be’s grand Rio wedding →

Conor Kennedy looks at Giulia Be, both in wedding attire, as he holds her up in his arms, and she has her mouth opened wide with an arm up in the air.

secondhand weddings

Something old? How about something newly thrifted? →

Groom, left, and bride stand under ribbons of various colors and patterns, and in front of a folding screen with various colored panes.

T Mag recommends

Engagement gifts that can double as wedding presents →

MINI-VOWS

He got her number only if he promised to call her. “She’s a lady. Do it right.” →

Bride, left, in a strapless ball room gown, poses next to groom, in a dark suit with a white rose on his lapel in front of windows in a room.
Warm your heart with our best stories on love, sex and relationships. Some will make you cry. Some might make you blush.

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Warm your heart with our best stories on love, sex and relationships. Some will make you cry. Some might make you blush.

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This newsletter was written by Michaela Keil and edited by Talya Minsberg.

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