Our Love Story
Going back to the beginning for National Coming Out Day
Header photo by Amy Semple.
The backstory
Our love story started as a friendship story. We were both studying musical theater at NYU - go Violets 🤣 - and I found myself (a local kine guy from Hawaii) drawn to this button-front choir boy from Minnesota, Eric. Never was there ever such a fresh Midwesterner ready to take on the big city. I don’t know if it was his taste in music or lack thereof in foodie culture that made me want to just be around him.
Semesters went by and we didn’t have much interaction until we were cast in the same show. For the thespians out there, you know the power of a showmance, and this one was a done deal. We were both hooked and happy. I remember it feeling like I could experience the city for the first time all over again. I felt like we gave each other permission to let go of the grind when we were together and take in all that Manhattan had to offer—which on a student budget meant that we were low expectations and high experiences. Not a drug-related pun. We’re as square as they come.
It took a few months for the friend vibe to turn to more than friends. It’s probably the most patient I’ve ever been for anything. But worth it. Our first “date,” which E says it wasn’t, was at Bryant Park where we shared a beer on a patio while my parents saw a show. They were in town for Thanksgiving. Anyway, that night, around curtain call, we said goodbye near the bathrooms in the park. I remember that hug. I was nervous. He was stiff. But we fit.
Two years later, E took me back to that same spot - the Bryant Park bathrooms - and asked me to marry him. Neither of us remember what was said, but we have some photos. So, we know it happened. E arranged for a friend to follow us in the park, and during his proposal, they hid in the landscaping. It was maybe all of 30 seconds after “yes” that a security guard yelled at our friend to get out of the bushes. Such a mood killer, but memorable. From there, we walked down Fifth to a pub where friends were waiting to toast us.
We always knew we were the marrying kind. Two years later, we said our vows in a friend’s backyard in Hawaii. To this day, it’s still the best day of our lives. The only thing missing from it is Boba.
