7 Years in Love: A Conversation with @offpuddinggirl
An interview with Emi Phuongnam
@Offpuddinggirl is a stylist based in NYC and LA. What you may not know about the it-girl is she’s been with her partner for seven years. In honor of Cœur Exposé, we met with Emi to talk about what it really means to love someone — and to keep loving them — for seven years. In a world where attention spans flicker and everything is fleeting, she offers something slower, deeper, and far more beautiful: commitment. Vulnerability. Softness that stays.
Just in time for our upcoming FW25 shoe, we asked her what love looks like when it’s lived in — and how it feels to be seen, completely.
When did you fall in love?
Early April 2018. Jon slid in my DM’s all those years ago because he saw that I had a Disneyland pass in one of my IG posts and asked if I wanted to go with him, so our first date was at Disneyland. After he got home from our date, he told his parents that he was pretty sure he was in love with me haha. I also knew pretty shortly after that I would be with him for a long time.
Who said I love you first, where were you when it happened?
Jon… on a camping trip to Kern River 3 months into our relationship after tripping on shrooms all day.
How do you navigate loving someone while staying close to yourself?
Making sure you allow yourselves to spend enough time alone or with friends outside of your relationship.
What song soundtracks your relationship?
At this point in our relationship, too many to name, but we love a good Smokey Robinson track.
What’s your favorite gift you’ve given to or received from your partner?
The fact that he indulges in whatever and whoever I’ve been and/or want to be. In the 7 years we’ve been together, I’ve never questioned whether or not Jon has loved me for me nor questioned whether he has supported me. Snowboarding, figure skating, bowling, photography, styling, producing content— he nurtures all of my interests/hobbies and even partakes in them (which is saying a lot given that he’s scared of half of them hahah).
What’s your fondest memory together?
So so many. If I had to narrow it down, I guess I’d say all of our dates to see some sort of nature exhibit or national park. He knows I love to people watch, takes photos and sight see, so any time we’ve gone out and done a combination of those three has always created the best memories.
What’s your favorite activity to do together?
Stay in, cook and binge watch a new show or find new movies to watch.
What does seven years of love feel like — in the body, in the day-to-day?
I can only speak for myself when I say this, but I feel proud of us. We started dating in our early twenties when we were still learning about love and, admittedly, making a lot of mistakes (in life and with each other). To see how much we’ve changed and grown is a bit surreal. Some couples grow apart, but luckily, we grew together. I think the hardships we’ve faced and overcome have only made us that much more solid. It’s easy to dismiss and forget about in the day-to-day, but whenever I’m reminded, I’m literally like damn… that’s crazy haha.
What advice do you have for long term lovers?
Communication and allowing yourself to understand your partner even if you may not agree is everything.