We met on December 31st, 2022 on New Year’s Eve, and immediately saw stars. A few days later we had our first date at Jam on Hawthorne, and stretched the day out as long as possible. Among the racks of vintage clothes and stacks of comic books, we realized how much we had in common—our love of sequins and 80s t-shirts, our affinity for moon-themed art and animals, like Kalin’s beloved cat Skooma—it felt like we had known each other for years. As we got closer, we each navigated serious health issues, sobriety, and loss. We’ve had our fair share of “for worse” and “in sickness.” Next on our list: for Better and in Health! Amidst the hardship, there was beauty. We joined a Murder Mystery company together, adopted two more cats, cosplayed iconic gay couples Frodo & Sam and Pain & Panic, and bloomed into beautiful versions of ourselves. We built our relationship on gentle care, kindness, and love. Two years later, we share a beautiful apartment with our three cats (Skooma, Mabel, and Mouse), a love of D&D and shiny things, acting and teaching careers, and an affinity for fostering a beautiful community around us. We are looking forward to spending the rest of our lives together!

We will be taking the last name of 'Harlowe' as a symbol of our new family! One of the many things which felt serendipitous from the beginning was sharing initials—KH. We chose an 'H' surname to give a nod to that sweet coincidence! We discovered 'Harlowe' in Kalin's ancient ancestry, after a long search through our family lineage; we wanted a name which felt connected to the people who gave us life, while also encompassing who we are as a couple. Harlowe comes from Old English; it has a variety of meanings, ‘rock hill’ or ‘temple hill’ among them. A Harlowe is a gathering place, sacred and connected. Our relationship has been a haven, magical and beyond anything we could have ever dreamed of. We survive together, on our hill, our rock. We create magic. We grow. We dream. To quote Brandi Carlile, again: I build my house up on this rock, baby Every day with you There's nothin' in that town I need After everything we've been through Me out in my garden and you out on your walk Is all the distance this poor girl can take Without listenin' to you talk I don't need their money, baby Just you and me on the rock It's you and me on the rock.