My partner, Greg, and my best friend, Ulf, and I drove to the Warrumbungles last night to look at the stars.

I only had my phone with me instead of a proper camera. Greg took this picture by increasing the exposure time and balancing the phone on a thermos of tea.

We sat out for about an hour before having to drive home, because I was driving and needed to make sure I'd be awake enough to get us all home safe.

We talked about astronomy, spirituality, Ancestors and my Aboriginality, our friendships, star dust, and the state of the world. We laughed, Greg cried (he's such a delicate man and I love the strength of his vulnerability), and I discovered that even though he and Ulf have been to Australia multiple times and joke about "everything is trying to kill you lol", they really don't have a sense of how dangerous this country can be:

"there's a look out 500m down this trail, let's just go down there!" (in a National Park at 1am with no hiking gear, let alone night hiking)

It was amazing, and I'm so glad I was able to share it with these two men that I love to the moon and back.

#stars #NationalParks #Warrumbungles #Astronomy #relationship #LongDistance #LongDistanceRelationship #NonMonogamy

Being in a #LongDistanceRelationship can be incredibly difficult, but I want to say it’s also so rewarding. You get an ability to work on your communication with the other person. LDRs have gotten me to tackle and continue working on some of my own #MentalHealth struggles. Those moments where you are alone with your thoughts get you to work on yourself.

Being in a relationship with @jsbilsbrough is worth the tough parts. I get to see him in two weeks. I would never choose anyone else than him.

Lilith isn't used to sitting in laps that have testicles in the way, and she doesn't understand why she can't just make biscuits in Greg's lap willy nilly..

Although, it does look like she's dealing with the disappointment pretty well..

#CatsOfMastodon #KittensOfMastodon #cats #kittens #relationship #LongDistance #LongDistanceRelationship #NonMonogamy

Tomorrow morning I'm driving to Sydney to pick Greg up from the airport!

And he's staying with me for 3 months!!

It'll be the longest time we've been able to spend together in person.

#LongDistance #LongDistanceRelationship #NonMonogamy

I am currently over the moon 💕🌙💘 Today I got to meet my long distance boyfriend of over one year in person for the first time ever 💗💕💗💕 I'm so so so happy. Hugging him for the first time was the best experience of my life. This is also my first time in Mexico!! Lots of fun 🇲🇽

#Relationship #LongDistanceRelationship #Mexico #love

Send video messages of you winding your pocket watch while telling your doll it is a good being is proper doll care at a distance.
#emptyspaces #dollposting #longdistancerelationship

Greg has covid.. again. 😔

It's so frustrating when he's sick, and I'm here and can't look after him. This is one of the really sucky parts of a #LongDistanceRelationship

#NonMonogamy
#LongDistance
#LDR
#ENM

One of my favourite things to do with Greg is watch shows like MAFS and Love is Blind, and talk about toxic monogamy culture and what we want with our relationships.

#love
#dating
#NonMonogamy
#LongDistanceRelationship

Dear insomnia, it’s time we tried a long-distance relationship

#upallnight #3amthoughts #5amwritersclub #sleepless #insomnia #WritingCommmunity #writerslife #loveletter #longdistancerelationship

I'm going to start using 'PolyNotPoly' (like SorryNotSorry) for the number of times I have to explain to someone that I'm non-monogamous, but not polyamorous.

#LDR
#LongDistance
#NonMonogamy
#LongDistanceRelationship

Some damn powerful ex-relationship advice toward moving on and leaving the past in the past! Wow. This really hit home!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2Mb5fe7obQ&t=24s

#relationshipgoals #relationship #relationships #relationshipquotes #longdistancerelationship #relationshipadvice #relationshipmemes #lovehaterelationship #relationshipgoal #relationshipcoach #healthyrelationships #interracialrelationship #breakup #separation #divorcesupport #divorce #selfgrowth #movingon #worthyoflove #joedispenza

Greg and I are both phobic about dentists and hate going, we both end up shaky and weepy after visiting the dentist.

We're talking about how one of the ways we can care for each other is to schedule our yearly dental visits when the other of us is visiting.. so his when I'm in the UK, and mine when he's in Australia.

That way we can bundle each other up in blankets and hugs afterwards, and take care of each other for being brave and doing the thing even though it's scary.

Sometimes #LDR can have helpful consequences.

#Phobia
#Dentist
#Relationship
#LongDistance
#NonMonogamy
#LongDistanceRelationship

Greg's wife, Z, came home from work last night after having a spectacularly bad day, and the first thing she said when she walked in was "I feel like giving Aby a hug, is that weird? Is it OK? Can I give you a hug? Is it weird to want to give you a hug?"

We all then spent time joking about Z coming home from work to her husband (Greg) and her new wife (me).

[to be very clear, Z and I are building an amazing friendship, and aren't dating]

#LDR
#LongDistance
#NonMonogamy
#LongDistanceRelationship

just ordered a gf-themed plushie
to match my gf's me plush.
now when either of the real us is unavailable,
we can talk to the plush in their place.
I think that's a very sweet idea.
#romance #longdistancerelationship

#Tattoo update!

This one is mine, and I absolutely love it!!

We got the done at Pastel Palace, in Colchester. They're #queer, #trans, #disability friendly.. and amazing.

The moment we walked in we were asked if we wanted fidget toys, something to eat and drink, if we were comfortable and if we needed anything to help us be comfortable.

The entire experience was amazing, so much so that I'm planning to get tattoos there each year when I come to the UK.

(I'll post Greg's in the comments - for some reason mastodon is force closing when I try to post more than one picture)

#adhd
#audhd
#autism
#disability
#LDR
#LongDistance
#NonMonogamy
#LongDistanceRelationship

We just attended a counter-protest at Colchester Library's #DragQueen Storytime, and Greg got to see me go toe-to-toe with #nazis for the first time.

The couple that protests together...

#LDR
#Trans
#Queer
#LongDistance
#NonMonogamy
#LongDistanceRelationship

Today we went to Costco and walked around a shopping centre.

I drive to Sydney every few months to do a Costco shop in an effort to save money any way we can. It was interesting to see what Costco was like in the UK (the exact same, down to the layout of the store!). We were also doing a recon run to take pictures of prices and report back to Greg's wife (Z) so she, Greg and her other husband can decide whether it's worth them getting a membership as well.

We picked up a few things, including a tray of baklava for my birthday party on Saturday and a bag of sriracha covered almonds to take back to Australia for my housemate. I had a Costco hotdog, because I love them.. although the ones in the Australian Costco are nicer, this was still yum though. Greg stood in line for ages to get our food, while I sat and rested my back.

Then we went for a wander around Lakeside shopping centre, and I was able to pick up some bits and pieces I needed as well as a new drink bottle that I definitely didn't need but was on sale (it's covered with cartoon cats!)

Greg lined up to get me a bubble tea (rose and peach fruit tea with peach popping boba), and then we drove home.

It was a fun day, and I enjoyed not only seeing the little differences between Australia and the UK, but also just loved spending time together doing everyday things.

#relationship
#LongDistance
#NonMonogamy
#LongDistanceRelationship

When my partner, Greg, has an old t-shirt he's going to toss because it's started wearing thin and getting holes, he sends it to me. I'm collecting them and am going to cut them up and make a quilt out of them.. so snuggling under the quilt will be like getting cuddle from him.

Long distance relationships are weird, man.

#ldr
#LongDistance
#NonMonogamy
#LongDistanceRelationship

Sometimes when I leave the loungeroom in the evening, Mia will jump into my spot on the sofa and sit in front of the ipad while my call with Greg is running.

It looks like she's on a business call because she is a business dog.

#DogsOfMastadon #LongDistanceRelationship

In today's expansion post of my #bio & #introduction

I'm #RA (relationship anarchist)

As I've already explained in another expansion post, I'm an #anarchist. For me, an important part of that #anarchism is letting my beliefs about #hierarchy inform my personal #relationships - including my #romantic & #sexual ones.

I'm not RA in the way a lot of #poly dudebros are, where they use RA as a sticker to cover their (imo unethical) relationship libertarianism. My RA is about having relationships that are defined by the people within them, that are communicated through generously, that are about bringing truth & vulnerability to the table and dealing with other people in ways that are kind and let them know how precious & valuable they are.

I'm in a #NonMonogamous #LongDistanceRelationship with someone who is married.. but this isn't the only relationship I have. I have a housemate who I've built a life with over the last 20 years, and friends who I rely on and support. None of these relationships are less important to me than the others, none of them are loved less by me. My relationships don't exist hierarchical for me.

Greg (my partner) and I often talk about how our relationship group works, and the importance of triaging and having a non-transactional style - if someone needs more time, energy, care, we try moving things around so they can get what they need, and we do so without the expectation that they'll 'pay back' that extra time etc.