Our first date was on a warm evening in August, for a "Netflix & Chill" at Daniel's place in Silverlake. The connection was strong; for once, there wasn't any awkward silence but instant comfort and a feeling of "home." Covering the walls were all these photos of loved ones and airplanes. Daniel's pride and love came beaming off his face, and at that moment, he became the most attractive person I'd ever met. That attraction soon became the hope that I would someday join that wall of pride. Our second date was a bit more "traditional." He took me to Echo Park. They had these Swan Paddle Boats you could rent and take out on the lake. We discussed each other's plans for the rest of the year, family members, and dynamics. I commented that this boat reminded me of Fly Away Home with Anna Pacquin, and he gay gasped and turned to me to say, "That was my favorite movie as a kid." I responded, "Should we go back to your place and watch it?" you would have thought we were being chased by how fast he was peddling back to shore. After the movie, we jumped right into life's aspirations and goals. We both quickly established that we wanted a small town life, potentially in an area like the Catskill Mountains. Flash forward a few short months to January; we boarded a plane to inspect our future home. We moved faster than a pair of Lesbians with a U-Haul but were confident in our decision. Open communication has always been a cornerstone of our relationship. Since our first date, our thoughts, feelings, and experiences have been very open and vulnerable. Joy and laughter are also key ingredients. It's always shown with a full grin, a smile, and a warm embrace sealed with a kiss. Regardless of the day either of us has had, it's a great reset that makes one's worries fade away. Lastly, we are each other's best friends. We've seen each other through ups and downs and are always each other's biggest cheerleader. We're excited to take the next step in our journey together and celebrate with all of our loved ones.