If you ever want to understand someone deeply—like, truly know what makes their heart skip a beat, their voice light up, or their Google search history start to look like a conspiracy theorist's dream—ask them this one question: "What are you obsessed with?" Because nothing reveals a person quite like their quirks. And me? My list of obsessions is longer than a CVS receipt, but here are some of the greatest hits, all of which I swear have shaped my relationships for the better.
Let’s unpack these, shall we?
1. Slow Dancing with a Vinyl Record Spinning
Some people love grand declarations. Me? I’ll take a vinyl crackle and a two-step in the kitchen every time. I was raised on the poetry of pedal steel, the twang of heartbreak ballads, and my parents swaying in our living room while an old George Strait record spun on our beat-up turntable. It’s hopelessly nostalgic, sure, but there’s something magic about dancing for no reason—and that magic refuses to leave me. It’s stayed through every relationship, a non-negotiable tradition.
There’s a tenderness to slow dancing, y’all. It’s vulnerable but safe, low-effort yet high-intimacy. It’s the opposite of your 98th pointless text conversation on the apps. Want to create connection? Grab someone’s hand and sway to Patsy Cline or Sam Cooke in your socks. It doesn’t have to be a perfectly choreographed YouTube moment (and for the love of Dolly, don’t lift your partner unless you’re 100% sure you won’t drop them). Let it be simple, slightly awkward, and entirely lovely.
Pro-Tip for the Romantics: Build your own "slow dance" playlist. Blend some classics with a few modern hits. And yes, Chris Stapleton’s "Tennessee Whiskey" belongs on there, no questions asked.
2. Hyperfixation-Level Trivia Mastery
You know that moment when someone casually asks, “Hey, why is Nashville called Music City?” and you suddenly morph into a TED Talk presenter? That’s me. I call it charming, the way I hoard weirdly specific knowledge about things like the history of the Ryman Auditorium or why Hank Williams would’ve burnt out on TikTok faster than your average influencer. However, not everyone considers this level of trivia… cute.
But here's where my endless well of niche facts ties into relationships: being curious makes you interesting. Whether you’re three margaritas into a playful first date or snuggled up in year three, what’s sexier than someone who’s always learning? Having a random bank of facts is like being a human jukebox at parties or during long car rides. (For example: Did y’all know Dolly Parton wrote "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You" on the same day? True story.)
The Dating Wisdom: Be proudly weird about the things that light you up. And if your partner starts glazing over because they just can’t take one more factoid about Elvis? Hey, at least you tried. The right person will ask for an encore.
3. Making Every Meal a Love Language
Confession: I won’t trust you if you don’t love biscuits. Growing up in Nashville, my family taught me that making food wasn’t just about feeding people—it was about saying, “I love you," without needing to actually say it.
Now, my definition of a "meal" ranges widely. Sometimes it’s gumbo that took six hours and made the house smell like heaven. Sometimes it’s a bag of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos because we’re feeling spicy and it’s Thursday. It’s not about gourmet flair; it’s about sharing something, even if you’re just arguing over who gets the last slice of pizza or struggling to eat your way through a charcuterie board you clearly overdid.
Food became my relationship trademark. Whether I was baking cookies to calm my nerves before a new date or convincing a boyfriend to try breakfast-for-dinner, meals always carried meaning. It’s the comfort of simplicity: sitting cross-legged on the couch and discovering what kind of sauce someone always slathers on their fries.
Pro-Tip for Date Night: Don’t sleep on cooking together. It’s part survival skill, part flirtation, and 100% a test of patience when someone pretends they can dice onions faster than Gordon Ramsay.
4. The Art of a Perfect Walk-and-Talk
This obsession only became obvious after too many rainy solo strolls during my semester in London. Nights spent walking cobblestone streets, headphones playing some soulful mumble of Bon Iver and Adele—what started as escapism turned into essential self-care.
Walking is where I work out problems, dream up stories, and, if I’m lucky, craft moments of effortless closeness with someone else. There’s an easiness to walking conversations. Maybe it’s the lack of forced eye contact or the way moving together puts you in rhythm with the other person. I seriously recommend it for tricky talks or first-date nerves. Proximity without the pressure. Therapy, but free!
Here’s a hot take: The best relationships sometimes feel like a good walk. Less about where you’re going, more about pacing yourself with someone who doesn’t mind meandering through your mental detours. Bonus points if they stop to pet stray dogs with you.
Walking Wisdom: You don’t need to act like a couple doomed for a Jane Austen rainstorm moment. Just grab your sneakers, pick a scenic route, and let the conversation wander.
5. Serenading Someone (Who’s Not NPR-Host Caliber)
It’s no surprise as a songwriter’s kid, I’ve got a soft spot for serenades. I’m not saying I’ll perform a Shania Twain medley after one good date, but at some stage in the romantic journey? It’s happening.
Let me clarify: my “serenades” are less Whitney Houston powerhouse ballad, more half-whispered Broadway lines after too much wine. But I stand by this—singing (whether you can actually hit the notes or not) instantly builds intimacy. It lets you drop your guard and be silly. I don’t need perfect pitch to hear how relationships grow stronger when we’re willing to laugh at ourselves.
One ex was so shy about singing that I shamelessly kicked things off on a road trip by belting every lyric to John Denver’s "Take Me Home, Country Roads" until he caved and joined me. (Fun fact: We still quote him mis-singing “West Virginia” as “Best Virginia.”)
Takeaway for Non-Singers: Start small. Sing karaoke to your pets before inviting someone to duet with you. And remember: song choice matters. Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” might overwhelm; Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’”? Never disappoints.
Obsession, but Make It Connection
Obsessions, quirks, passions—whatever you call them—are the fingerprints of our identities. They don’t exist in a vacuum. The things we love pull double duty as personal joys and ways to bond with others. So, instead of smoothing out your edges in the hopes of being more appealing, let those quirks shine because they’re what make relationships real.
I’ve learned this much: my next “forever person” might not know their Patsy from their Dolly just yet, but they’ll dance with me on hardwood floors and teach me new trivia I can’t wait to memorize. And if all else fails? At least we’ll walk it off.
