A Gay Valentine's Day

Chad and Tshombe (AfterElton readers)
There are certain pivotal moments in a relationship that define the direction the relationship will go. In our exciting, emotional, and slightly tumultuous new relationship of little more than 2 months, we had already talked about moving in together. Still, neither one of us had as yet uttered the L-Word.

Chad and Tshombe

It was a beautiful Sunday morning in November. Tshombe woke up early and had an agenda, while Chad took the opportunity to sleep in late. While Chad was grading papers, Tshombe phoned to ask if he could come over to bring him something.

“Oh no. I’m not cleaned up, yet.”

“What’s that got to do with anything?”

“I just haven’t gotten ready or taken a shower . . .”

“If we’re going to live to together, I think I’m going to see you not cleaned up pretty much every day.”

“You can come over.”

Chad was at the table, drinking coffee and grading papers when Tshombe arrived at his apartment. While Chad remained seated, Tshombe knelt down next to him and took Chad’s hand, explaining that the last couple of months with Chad had been the best experience of his life.

“They haven’t been easy, and already we’ve had our ups and downs, but I want you to listen to this CD by Whitney Houston that expresses how I feel because no matter what I want you to know that I love you and I believe in you and me.”

“I love you, too, Tshombe.” They hugged. They kissed.

And Tshombe placed the headphones on Chad’s ears, as Whitney sang

“I believe in you and me / I believe that we will be / In love eternally / Well as far as I can see / You will always be the one for me / Oh yes you will / And I believe in dreams again / I believe that love will never end / And like the river finds the sea / I was lost, now I’m free / Cuz, I believe in you and me”

Mushy, huh?

Michael and Brent (AfterElton editor and AfterElton contributor)
Valentine's Day coincidentally happens to mark the same week as our anniversary (#16 this year!) and while we don't do a whole lot to celebrate the day, it does always cause us to pause and reflect on what we have.

Michael especially recalls how, growing up gay, he never imagined himself in a relationship even though he is basically a homebody who wanted nothing more than a partner. He never dreamed about Fire Island parties or West Hollywood discos, but settling down and building a life with the right guy. Unfortunately, that was never the media presented in the image.

Fortunately, he did meet Brent, but instead of leading the conventional life Michael expected, he and Brent have turned into the nutcases who produce bizarre video blogs like this one to celebrate Valentine's Day wherein Michael actually barfs up flowers. How is that for romantic?

For the record, Michael wouldn't have it any other way.