Life right now is weird, to say the least.
Naturally, I reached out toLove Is Blindcontestant Lauren Speed for answers.
SELF: You and Cameron have been together for a year and a half now.
Jason Mendez / Getty Images
Are you learning new things about each other during this time?
Lauren Speed:He’s going hard withStar Warsright now.
Its like, Okay, I get it, Cam.
If I watch one moreStar Warsmovie, Im going to explode.
My favorite movie isCluelessand I recite all the words, so that gets on his nerves.
How did you mentally prepare to go on a reality TV show and marry someone you couldnt see?
Did you have a prayer, a vision board, a list…?
Honestly, all of the above.
And that might extend to spirituality and religion.
So you never know.
When I think about dating during this pandemic,Love Is Blindcomes to mind.
Do you think quarantine dating is similar to pod life?
Are single people all living in pods?
Well, it’s definitely similar because you’re able to’t be physical, right?
you’re free to’t touch, hug, or kiss.
But dating right nowdoesgive you a chance to grow with someone outside of physical attraction.
I’m not saying that the physical is irrelevant, because we all need some now and then.
But it’s important to build on other things too.
So should everyone whos pandemic dating right now ignore pictures and focus on profile blurbs instead?
It’s tricky ondating appsbecause you basically pick based on looks.
So start off with a person that you’re attracted to, but jump into it.
Im not saying you should lead with, Hey, I want three kids.
But be upfront about things you might see being a priority in a long-term relationship.
Lay it on the line: This is who I am.
But on the show everyone seemed to be looking for an authentic connection.
On dating apps, thats not always the case.
Vulnerability is so hard and scary.
How did you do that?
It was tough because, in the past, I would get close with someone and shut down.
Happiness would make me afraid of disappointment.
So I had to fight myself and decide that I wasnt going to limit my happiness.
It was terrifying, but it also felt so freelike jumping out of a plane.
I knew this relationship was special, so I had to let go of myphobiasand go for it.
You guystook noteson your pod dates.
What were you writing in those notebooks, Lauren?
Should I start taking notes when Im dating?
At the beginning of the process, there were 15 guys and 15 girls.
Since we couldnt see faces, Id write things down like: Cameron is an A.I.
He loves his family.
Or Mark is intoworkoutsand fitness.
Just notes to remember what stood out about each person.
Otherwise, it was like, Wait, who are you, again?
How did you deal with cabin fever in the pods?
We didn’t really getcabin feverbecause our schedule was literally pod life and sleep.
And we would sleep for about five hours.
Everyone was so emotionally invested in the process that nothing else mattered.
We didn’t have aphone, TV, or radio.
So people ended up wanting to spend more time with each other.
Sometimes the vibe is just not there.
But it helps to remember the things that you liked about each other when you weren’t face-to-face.
What advice would you give married folks or couples that are isolating together?
verify to have me time.
If you’re gonna wanna go into a room and terminate the door, do that.
And attempt to find ways to keep things fresh inside the house.
Each night, be a different person.
Role-play if that’s what you have to do.
Just give a shot to find a balance between keeping things spicy and your me time.
Well, now I have to ask: Are you and Cam keeping things spicy?
What are you guys doing over there?
This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.
