Unpacking My Obsessions

Let me start with a confession: I’m a little obsessed with obsessions. The way they sneak up on you, pulling at your focus like a persistent golf buddy convincing you to play just one more round. Obsessions make life interesting, colorful, and—let’s face it—just a touch ridiculous. But isn’t that the beauty of it?

Some people geek out over comic book villains or their sourdough starter. For me, my quirks lie somewhere between a perfectly unbroken desert horizon and why cowboy boots might just be the ultimate accessory for literally any outfit. But my obsessions aren’t random—they’ve shaped how I navigate life and relationships, sprinkling a little desert dust over everything I do. So, here we go: A deep (and only lightly self-deprecating) dive into the things I can't shut up about and how they tie back to relationships.

Desert Sunsets: Your Free Dose of Therapy

I’ve always felt a deep connection to the Sonoran Desert, where the sunsets are so stunning they could make a grown man tear up (and, okay, they have—just once or twice). There’s something spiritual about watching the sky layer itself in watercolor hues of orange, pink, and indigo every evening.

Now here’s the thing: I unapologetically judge potential partners based on their sunset appreciation levels. Do they pause to soak it in? Or do they dismiss it with a casual glance while scrolling TikTok? A person's ability to genuinely revel in everyday beauty says a lot about how present they are in life—and in relationships.

We often underestimate the power of stillness, of closing Netflix and standing in awe of the world for a second. Sunsets, to me, are a reminder to slow down and observe. Whether in the early sparks of a flirtation or the comforting silence of a years-long partnership, savoring tiny sacred moments makes all the difference.

Takeaway: Relationships are built on shared appreciation of the little things—be it a beautiful sky or a shared pizza craving. Look for moments to pause and soak it all in together.

Cowboy Boots: A Lifestyle, Not a Footwear Choice

Listen, I’m not about to tell you to swap out your Jordans or Allbirds (though they’re crimes against the boot aesthetic, frankly), but I do need you to understand this: There’s something wildly empowering about cowboy boots. They’re practical, sturdy, and fearless—built for both harsh trails and dance floors. If that’s not relationship goals in a nutshell, I don’t know what is.

In college, I bought my first pair from a dusty boutique west of Phoenix. That day, I learned a boot isn’t just a shoe; it’s an attitude. You walk taller in them, more confidently, like you’re the main character in a modern Western about love and reinvention. What’s cooler than that? Ten years and three pairs later, I still look for someone who matches that energy—the willingness to metaphorically (or literally) cowboy-up when life gets hard and stride into the unknown with guts.

Boots also represent something I value in relationships: Timelessness. They're not trendy; they’re built to last, to weather the storms of a desert monsoon or a couple’s first epic fight about brunch plans. Sure, not everyone needs their partner to invest in handcrafted leather from Fort Worth, Texas, but choose someone with substance and grit. Find someone with—dare I say it—sole.

Takeaway: Whether it’s boots or other icons of durability, value what lasts. Style’s nice, but substance is what carries you through the rough patches.

Golf: It’s Therapy, But With Funny Pants

If asking someone to meet you on the course for a first date screams “dad vibes,” then, yeah—I guess I’ve leaned into my fate. But golf isn’t just a sport to me; it’s a metaphor for life and relationships. You can slice your drive, land in the sand trap, and swear oaths your grandmother wouldn’t approve of, but when you hit that one perfect shot? Everything feels right again.

Golf taught me patience—and trust me, patience isn’t exactly native to me. I’m a planner, a fixer, someone who hates when a dinner reservation runs five minutes late. But learning to accept the ebb and flow of a good game helped me realize that relationships, like golf, will always be beautifully imperfect. Sometimes you spend three hours hacking away, only for a random eagle to remind you why you started playing in the first place.

And just like love, it’s all about the company. A round of golf is really about the shared time: the jokes, the good shots, the quiet stretches where you both scan the horizon for where the ball went. In relationships, being there matters more than your scorecard. (That said, I’m very competitive and won’t hesitate to gloat if I birdie the 9th.)

Takeaway: Things won’t always go as planned, but how you handle the rough patches shows your character. Be patient. Be present. Laugh about the terrible shots.

Frank Lloyd Wright: Design the Life (and Love) You Want

My admiration for Frank Lloyd Wright isn’t just about architecture; it’s about imagination. Wright’s designs blend seamlessly into their surroundings, like they’ve always belonged there. His bold, modern approach inspires me the same way a great relationship should: Be authentic, stand out, and still fit perfectly into the bigger picture of your life.

Taliesin West is one of my happy places. Walking through those halls feels like stepping into someone’s deliberate attempt to build something as beautiful and functional as possible. And isn’t that the goal of every partnership—to create something great, sturdy, and inspiring out of two unique things? I can’t help but think of Wright’s designs as a relationship metaphor: Balance the flashy with the unshakably strong, the personal with the practical.

Also, it’s worth noting that Wright could be a bit of a perfectionist, which is... relatable. I’ve fallen into that trap—holding too tightly to a romantic ideal that didn’t suit reality. What I’ve learned (and, honestly, am still learning) is that love works best when you’re both willing to honor each other’s individuality instead of trying to make your “design” too rigid. Leave wiggle room for mistakes, surprises, and joy.

Takeaway: Like good architecture, every relationship needs a solid foundation—and room to grow. Work on creating something uniquely yours.

Conclusion: Learn What Makes You, You (Then Share It)

Here’s the ironic thing about unpacking my obsessions: They're less about the objects themselves (sunsets, boots, golf clubs) and more about what they reveal about me. What I value most in life and in relationships is what these quirks bring into focus—patience, appreciation, adventure, reinvention, and a touch of fun.

If this resonates, take a second to reflect on your own obsessions. Maybe you’re passionate about National Parks or can’t resist diagramming the perfect cup of coffee. Maybe it’s indoor plants, vintage vinyl, or Star Wars minutiae. Whatever it is, lean into it and own it. The quirks you bring to the table are exactly what make you interesting. And when you find people who geek out about them as much as you do—or, better yet, respect them even if it’s not their thing—you’ll know you’ve found something real.

Final Takeaway: Celebrate what makes you unique. Because true connection starts when you stop hiding the bits of yourself that make you weird and start sharing the ones that make you wonderful.