We're getting married!

It was one of those days in September that lets you know fall is around the corner. As I walked through Ansley’s house and headed to the porch I passed a stranger in the hallway. “Newcomer,” I thought. She smiled the sweetest smile at me. When the meeting got going and everyone was sharing their experiences with steps 6 and 7, I remember sharing something very profound that I just knew impressed everybody. Others continued the sharing and shortly thereafter the Newcomer started talking. It felt like my real life version of Killing Me Softly by the Fugees: she was telling my whole life with her words. I was transfixed. We chatted after the meeting where she excitedly exclaimed to me “I’m gay too!!!” We exchanged numbers and the friendship began.

I remember the moment I first saw Amy- I was immediately drawn to her. She seemed so relaxed and confident and open. We were at a book study and I loved what she shared-she was honest and thoughtful and, like, dialed in. I usually know when I’ve met a soul mate friend and that was the feeling I got. I asked her to get coffee and started regularly showing up to climbing and yoga and her home group. We were “running into each other” several times a week and, thankfully, this did not creep Amy out as much as it should have. Instead, a friendship quickly developed. By the time Amy asked me out, I had had a crush for months and learning that Amy also had feelings for me felt like winning the lottery. Neither one of us had very generous ideas about how we were in romantic relationships and we were very careful to pay attention to every feeling and talk through things as honestly as possible. I think we were both surprised at how easy it felt and how, as time went on, it actually got easier and more exciting, not less. We started to trust ourselves and each other and the idea took hold that maybe we could stay together for...ever? Everything keeps falling easily into place and I just get more and more convinced that I’m on the right path. Amy is kind, open minded, and a deep thinker. She does her own work and trusts me to do mine. She’s fun and playful and hilarious. She really is the whole package and I’m endlessly thankful that I get to share my life with her.