|
I
have gone through many changes in my life, most of them
motivated by a search for myself. I have spent a great
deal of time (years, in fact) looking for my place in
the world. I have been an artist, a singer, an actor,
a monk, a priest, a salesman, a manager, a teacher,
a dreamer; but all without a companion to share my life
with. Don't get me wrong, I have many friends...I have
always had friends; some of them closer than my own
family. I have loved them all...I still love them. But
there is so much to share in this life and it is a shame
to be alone. The major turning point in my life came
when I first ventured onto the Internet; up until that
point; certain aspects of my life had been repressed.
I was unable to function safely. The Internet changed
all of that. You see; I am Gay. It isn't easy to be
different; most of us want to be the same as everyone
else. But when we mature we see that we are who we are;
and so we are faced with a choice: To live forever in
misery, afraid of the world around us, or to live our
lives responsibly and have the same chances for happiness
that everyone else has. So one day I decided enough
was enough. I told my parents and my friends. They took
it very well. My parents had always suspected (even
known), as had most of my friends. And since then my
life has been great. I am a very careful and loving
person...I picked my friends well. The Internet has
many places for gay men and women to meet and talk.
There are also gay and lesbian dating services. It is
through one of these (Pride Matchmaker on CompuServe)
that I met the man I would choose to spend the rest
of my life with: David.
David
and I corresponded for a month before we met. We first
saw each other in front of a restaurant in Fullerton,
CA and we hit it off right away. All through the summer
of 1996 we spent our weekends together. It was a long
commute for both of us but it was worth it. Then in
September we decided to move in with each other. On
January 6th, 1997 David asked me to marry him. I Said
Yes!!! We didn't rush things. We wanted to work out
the logistics of how and when to do it. We wanted to
save enough money to do it right. We contacted a "gay
friendly" lawyer and set a date to sign our lives
to each other. That wonderful day was October 16th,
1998. The next day we took our very best friends out
to a special dinner and David and I exchanged rings.
Then on July 10th, 1999, the 3rd anniversary of our
first meeting, David and I had our formal reception.
It was celebrated at Craig Regional Park in Fullerton,
CA. The day was absolutely perfect. The sun was bright
and warm. A light breeze helped to cool everyone off.
Both my parents attended - which surprised me because
my father is in poor health. David's parents were there
also. Quite a few people showed up including David's
Aunt who is a nun - Sister Michelle. All our friends
were there as well as co-workers and newly made friends.
Afterward, our Best Man, Terry Baxely and Best Woman
Liz Thomas hosted the "After the Party" party.
We all got pretty wild. It was great fun. David and
I then had a two week honeymoon. We went to Disneyworld.
It was wonderful but also very hot. I might also mention
that it was just prior to our reception that we met
Liz's future husband, Kevin...We liked him from the
start.
I
never thought that I would be where I am today. David
and I couldn't be any happier. I always wondered if
there really was someone out there who was perfectly
suited to me...and I was right! Now I sit here just
after our 6th anniversary and everything is still wonderful.
We are very happy to be together and to be able to share
our joy with other people. I feel, at last I have found
a reason for my life. I feel that all the lonely days
were worth it because they have lead up to this day.
We
live with our very best friends Liz and Kevin and their
1 1/2 year old son, Zach. They have given us the most
wonderful of opportunities: to share in the raising
of their son. I can say that we have been part of Zach's
life since half an hour after he was born. The joy of
raising child and contributing to his forming personality
cannot be compared to any other kind of pleasure. Today
he is working on learning how to talk, he is very imitative...I
lift my leg, he lifts his...I turn on the music and
dance, he dances...its quite cute. David is continuing
his education, working towards a Master Degree in computer
science (one more year to go). I am a web master for
a telecommunications parts manufacturer with a developing
hobby in growing Orchids. In June I joined the Orange
County Orchid Society...I am having fun. For our anniversary
this year we took our friends to Sequoia and had a great
time.
I'll write more soon,
Thomas
|
