FINALY: 3-19-2022

The sun was high on the spring afternoon in Redlands. Iyan had hurried home from work to shower and get ready. He and Christian had scheduled their first date for that evening at Market Night in downtown Redlands. As the weather was nice and his stress was high, Iyan debated if he should walk or drive. He chose to walk as parking would be bad as always. He arrived at Market Night, the stands were up and the market bustling. He messaged “Here, where would you like to meet” ... “I am at the comic shop.” This was on the opposite side of the event. Iyan started down the street, checking his phone to review the profile of Christian so he could recognize him. At 5th street a coworker of Iyan’s passed by and they said a hand full of formalities and Iyan moved on, focused on getting to the comic shop. As Iyan turned the corner onto Orange Street, he looked head to the comic shop, past the crowds walking down there was a single person resting at the light post. As Iyan walked closer the figure became clear, it was not the same as the picture, Iyan worried he had been catfished. Iyan moved to the building wall and messaged “here" the person did not answer their phone… “just finishing up be out in a sec.” Iyan exhaled as he realized the man outside what not the person he had been messaging. Moments later a well-dressed man with a devilish mustache came out, this person matched the profile. As Iyan moved forward to meet with Christian, the man who had been by the light moved to intercept. Christian had recognized Iyan, but the other man had already engaged Christian in a conversation, the two had met before. This hindrance increased Iyan’s stress as he stood close to the group, he was left with so many questions. Not wanting to interrupt the conversation Iyan let it happen in his stressed state. As the conversation ended Christian and the other man smiled and said their goodbyes after what felt like forever, we walked off for our first date.

Gay Days Anaheim, just another happy and sunny morning in Disneyland I wasn’t surprised by Iyan’s rush into the other park to do the character meet with Stitch, he is probably our favorite Disney character and Iyan always likes being super early for everything. After arriving in the queue for the character meet, Iyan ask the cast member to be sure “Is Stitch going to be here?” we get the confirmation and I go to playing Emoji Blitz Happy to wait to finally see our favorite blue alien. When the first party ahead of us is called we get our bags ready and tidy ourselves up to meet Experiment 626. Always must be picture perfect at Disney Parks. Iyan gestures to me to lead the way. I scream “STITCH!” me and Iyan embrace the cute fuzzy guy in a quick greeting. I then move forward a bit to place the bag downs for better pictures. Behind me Stitch steps out to the side and Iyan gets down on one knee. I turn around to him in shock, I’m like a deer in the headlights. He asks me something but I was to lost to fulling comprehend, knowing the queues I ask “Are You Serious…?” my hands trembling to his and the ring in the box. Tears are welling up in Iyan’s eyes and he mutters softly and shakenly “yes…” “I will” I reply. He then gets up from off his knee and kisses me. The Cast member screams of excitement. Underneath the scream and between our kiss we whisper to each other “I love you…”