We’re getting married!!!

David and I (who are both musicians) first met at a gig on Martha's Vineyard in 2007 -- he was singing and I was the pianist. We loved working together and we agreed that we really wanted to do a recital together one day. This of course proved difficult because I live in Boston and he lived in Austin, Texas. Occasionally over the years we would try to figure out how we could do a performance together, but the timing and logistics never seemed to work out. Then in 2018 David contacted me -- he was doing a residency in New England and wanted to do a recital. Although I could not do that particular recital, we reconnected and renewed our friendship. Both of us had been going through rough patches in our personal lives and I was surprised by how supportive and gentle he was. We finally got to do a recital together in Boston in February of 2019, and in the process of rehearsing and performing this recital I was again surprised at how much fun David was, and how sweet and gentle and kind. I immediately reentered therapy because I was NEVER going to date again, and was determined that this would be a friendship only. We kept in touch daily after that recital, and then when David mentioned that he had long wanted to take a well-known meditation course in Boston, I did something else suprising -- I suggested that he come to Boston and take the course over his summer break from teaching. I was not going to have a romance., even though he was so fun and kind and gentle and sweet. No. Friendship only. But then, after David had been in Boston for about a week, he told me (the day, incidentally, that I was prepping for a colonoscopy) that he was smitten. I was so surprised by his admission that I slopped lime jello all down the front of my shirt But then I did the most surprising thing of all. I told him I was smitten too. And the rest is history.

All of what Jean wrote is wonderfully true. I would only add that I remember so vividly the first time we rehearsed for that Martha’s Vineyard concert, and how it felt so easy, so comfortable; as if we had been doing this all our lives. And I remember thinking that I hoped we could do more serious concerts together in the future, and many of them. But it was all about the ease and quality of the musical/artistic collaboration. The idea that it could be what it is now, well that was not even a flicker of a possibility of a thought. Then when we started talking and supporting each other, advising each other, through some very rough life waters I learned how compassionate, wise, loving, and supportive a friend she is. Those of you who know her know exactly what I mean and have felt the strength and warmth of her friendship’s embrace. But then when we rehearsed and performed Schubert’s epically dark, passionate song cycle Winterreise, it was clear I was in love with her, but didn’t dare tell her for fear of making the artistic collaboration and/or friendship, well, awkward. Then last summer I stayed at her house while I was taking a class at John Cabot Zinn’s Center for Mindfulness at UMass Hospital and I could not keep it to myself any longer… We sat on her couch, while she ate lime green Jello in preparation for, uh…, well…, a procedure… and when I said I had to tell her I love her, regardless of the consequences to our artistic partnership or friendship, she indeed did spill lime green jello all over herself. And our love of lime green Jello was born…. Because then the most amazing thing happened. She said she felt the same way. After that everything else has been just details. Jean is the best parts of the best people I have ever known. And she is the person I have been trying to love my whole life. Finally, she’s here. Please join us (in spirit or in presence) in the celebration of this beautiful new life and joy we’ve found together. Peace, david