the middle👗

tina elise cohen-chang thirty-three. owner of modern vintage boutique. my shop consists of upcycled & thrifted clothing and jewelry, along with some homemade jewelry and trinkets as well. dance & theater enthusiast emo kid - it wasn't a phase mom!

[happyheidi]

[owenchang]

Gotta say, I really don't get more frequent reminders that I'm probably not ready to have kids than I do when I go to the grocery. I was there today just grabbing a few things and I see this kid just bawling their eyes out and, even though I know it's probably just a tantrum because they're not getting their way, my heart starts hurting and it genuinely upsets me. And if that's how a child crying makes me feel when it's not even mine then, phew... yeah, definitely not ready. Not that I'm in a rush or anything, for the record, but still. The curse of being a softie, I guess.

[tinacohenchangx]

I don't know, I don't think I totally agree with that logic. I feel like there's a pretty big difference between feeling bad because a kid is upset and automatically caving and giving them whatever they want to make them stop crying. Also, kids cry for literally all kinds of reasons. Sure, sometimes it's because they didn't get the toy or candy they wanted, but sometimes they're tired, hungry, or overwhelmed, or just having a really rough day and don't have the words for it yet. So honestly, the fact that your reaction is concern instead of irritation feels less like a sign you're not ready and more like a sign you'd actually care.

[kurtxhummels]

text message 📲 D³

Kurt: Thank you for the gifts, I love them! And we definitely need a night out just the three of us. Kurt: Though, should I be insulted you're calling me King Frog, Teens? 😂😂

[mercedesjonesx]

Mercedes: First of all, you are so welcome! You deserve all the gifts and then some, Boo! 👑✨ Mercedes: But yes to a night out! We are long overdue for a proper diva summit. Name the place and time, because I am already picking out my outfit!

[tinacohenchangx]

Tina: It’s the frog prince! Like from The Princess and the Frog. I promise it was meant in a cute fairytale way, not a “this is your new official nickname forever” kind of way 😂 Tina: Also you're welcome! I'm glad you liked it. I was kind of nervous making them because I wanted them to feel personal and not just random crafts. And yes, a night out sounds perfect, I feel like we’ve all been a little too busy lately anyway.

[jacksonrose]

Sounds good to me! I trust your taste way more than mine anyway, so whatever ideas you come up with I’m sure Amber will love. And yeah, I get the whole “can’t say too much out in the open” thing. Surprise and all that. Just let me know when you’ve got some pieces put together and I’ll come by the boutique to check them out. I really appreciate you doing this, by the way.

[tinacohenchangx]

Of course, I’m happy to help! Honestly, I always like getting to make something a little more specific for people instead of just general pieces, it makes it feel more personal. So yeah, I’ll put a few ideas together and we can go from there and then I'll let you know when I’ve got them ready for you to look. From there, you can pick what feels right for her!

[nick-duval]

I hadn't grown into my nose yet at seventeen, so that's probably saying a lot, ha. I submitted all the paperwork about a week ago though, so I guess we'll see what people think of the whole 'hometown boy makes good' angle come November.

[tinacohenchangx]

Well hey, if you got the paperwork submitted at least that means you actually followed through and went for it! I think that has to show that you were at least feeling a little confident in yourself to begin with, even if you had your own doubts and that's saying something.

[mackfabray]

Yeah, I might see about getting my nose pierced, see how I feel about that, then go from there.

[tinacohenchangx]

That sounds like a pretty good way to test it out without committing to too much all at once. I feel like sometimes you just have to try things and see if they stick, otherwise you can overthink it forever. Either way, I’m sure you’ll figure out what feels right for you.

[tinacohenchangx]

Kurt, I hope you know how much you're loved and how amazing of a friend you are! Especially on your birthday, you deserve all of the best wishes to come true and I couldn't ask for a better best friend than you! (And also Mercedes lol, but shh it's your birthday so the focus is on you!) I hope you like the friendship keychains I made for us!! @kurtxhummels

[nick-duval]

I mean, it probably counts for something that I didn't actually live in Ashford Valley for years after high school, so at least there's a little bit of a disconnect. I highly doubt most of them have followed my law career enough to have any idea what kind of attorney I am now though -- except maybe for the ones that I've worked with directly since moving back.

[tinacohenchangx]

I mean, honestly, that might almost work in your favor then? It gives people room to look at who you are now without only seeing you as the same person you were at seventeen. And I feel like even if people don't know the specifics of your career, just the fact that you've built one and came back here afterward probably says a lot on its own.

[mackfabray]

Yeah, exactly. Like, it was part of a very... questionable phase I went through and while I like the look I don't know if it really goes with who I am now, y'know?

[tinacohenchangx]

Yeah, I get that. I think it’s kind of interesting how some things can feel really right in one version of your life and then just not fit anymore later on. Either way, I think you’ve got a pretty solid sense of who you are now, so you’ll probably figure out what feels right if you ever decide to change it again.

[jacksonrose]

We'll see if Owen can work his magic. As for Amber, that’s the thing—I have absolutely no idea what to get her. Maybe some kind of statement jewelry? Maybe big dramatic earrings or a necklace with like theater masks or something sparkly? Or is that too much? I'm the worst at this, I'm telling you.

[tinacohenchangx]

Keep me posted. Hmm, I think I can work with all of that, it's definitely giving me ideas and it does help that I know her almost as well as you do, probably. I'll probably be working on my own ideas for her, too, of course. But I can't say much right out in the open. How about, I'll put together a few pieces and see what you think? Most of my work can be undone and re-modeled, at least with the jewelry. Sometimes with the clothing, depending on what the alterations were to start.

[tinacohenchangx]

Stars - are you into astrology? If so, what are your sun, moon, and rising signs?

Yes, actually, I love astrology! I am a Capricorn Sun, Taurus Moon, and Cancer Rising.

🌺SPRING ASK MEME

[tinacohenchangx]

Music - what’s been on repeat lately?

Ever since the Hannah Montana anniversary special aka the Hannah-versary (which was kind of underwhelming tbh like there just could have been more ya know?) because of course even I was a Hannah Montana fan back in the day... Younger You by Miley Cyrus, for sure. It just really hits.

🌺SPRING ASK MEME

[jacksonrose]

Yeah, honestly I’m not entirely sure. I know the basics from training, but I’m definitely no wildlife whisperer. I’ll figure something out though, I’m sure. Hey, I actually had a question for you. Is there any way I could commission you for a birthday gift for Amber?

[tinacohenchangx]

Well, Owen seems to be a pet whisperer, maybe he can channel it towards wildlife, too? Make it kind of a team effort thing. Couples animal therapy...nevermind that sounds weird, moving on! And of course, her birthday is just a couple months away! What do you have in mind?

[nick-duval]

Mostly because it involves me having to convince a large enough group of people that I'm mature and trustworthy enough to vote for, except a significant percentage of that group has known me since I was a very intense, very unfocused teenager. The commute isn't really an issue, not much different from being a working attorney and it's not exactly a large county. Most of the district court judges have an office in Allentown, but a few don't, so I don't think that's a requirement, either.

[tinacohenchangx]

Okay, so it’s bigger than say working out of our local courthouse, gotcha. I think the whole “people knowing you as a teenager” part probably feels bigger in your head than it would to them now, especially if you’ve put in the hard work that's got you where you are today. I also feel like most voters are probably going to care more about who you are as an attorney now than who you were in high school.

[mackfabray]

You're not wrong, not that I have any issues with permeance, have a lot of tattoos, and really want more. I'll have to think about it, though.

[tinacohenchangx]

Yeah, that makes sense. I think it’s one of those things where you just know when it feels right or not, and there’s not really a wrong answer either way.

[nick-duval]

Okay. So.

A little bird told me one of the lower level magisterial district court judges is retiring this year, and there's going to be a seat up for election soon. Like. This year. In November.

On a scale of one to ten, how much of a stupid idea would it be for me to try to get on the ballot?

[tinacohenchangx]

Why would it be a stupid idea if that's something you want to do? Would this be for a position as a judge at our own local courthouse or would it be for one of the surrounding areas like in one of the cities? Because if it's something where you have to factor in a longer commute or even potentially a whole move on it's own, then I totally understand any kind of hesitation and questioning.

[jacksonrose]

You're probably right — I didn't chase him off or anything, so maybe we're cool. Though, maybe I'll leave some kind of peace offering that doesn't tempt other wildlife to take up residence instead. As much as my fiancé would love that, I don't think we have the space for a full blown sanctuary.

[tinacohenchangx]

Is there something that raccoons would eat that other wild animals wouldn't? I've only really seen videos of what people put out, but for the most part all that they eat also attracts opossoms and skunks, possibly even stray cats. Which, at least with the cats Owen could take them to the shelter!