My GLBT family: How did you meet your significant other?

[Amimnoch]

3. Picture it, New Years Eve, Dec 31 1996..

I had just got out of the US Navy in June that year, and after a couple months back in my home town of Lafayette, Louisiana, I landed a job in Houston, TX and moved there in September. Even then, I always attempted to use GLBT family businesses and people for services or goods, and my real estate agent invited me to his, and his partners New Years Eve party in the Heights of Houston.

It was around 7pm when I arrived at the party with a couple that I'd befriended. It was still early, so there weren't many people there. It was at the BBQ pit that I met my Rudy. A few looks, a few light flirts, and the rest of the night we laughed, and brought in 1997 together in each others arms, and midnight was our very first kiss.

From that very first night, there was a chemistry I'd never felt with anyone. Before January was even over with we could often finish each others sentences. Many of our friends were apprehensive about our relationship. It was moving too fast, and many would tell us "too soon" all the time. Thing is, Rudy and I KNEW we were moving VERY fast.. but it just felt so damn right, so we decided to ignore our heads and just follow our hearts. It didn't mislead us. In April of that same year, I flew my mother from Seattle, and Rudy's sister, Rudy and myself to Montreal for a suprise vacation. I'd bought Tepan Rouge (VIP) front row seats at the Cirque Du Soleil performance of Quidam. I'd arranged limo service for the evening. On the way to the show, with my mother and Rudy's sister in witness, I dropped knee and proposed.

We had our commitment ceremony in Houston in May of that same year.

In May, 2006 (one year after it was legalized in Canada) I flew the 4 of us back to Montreal and Rudy and I had our full marriage ceremony at the site where we'd watched the Cirque Du Soleil show.

Today, over 15 years later, I couldn't love someone more, and I can't imagine life without him in it.