After months of self-isolation and learning to cope with the new reality of everything-DIY, a certain situation in my house could no longer be ignored: my Middle Eastern genes and a blossoming of dark, frustratingly dense body hair.

I used to wake up in the middle of the night, glance at my phone, and close my eyes again, smiling because I knew I got to spend a few more hours with you. Now when I wake up, you're not even here. I wait and wait and wait for you, and when you finally do come back, it's too late, and you've ruined my day.