Stitcher - 15. My Forever Family

So, it was great having lunch with Liz. She looks so happy now. But that comes with a new girlfriend, who she has started a party-planning business with. Good for her! She says good for Ian and me!

When I asked her how she knew about the wedding thing, she told me that Charlie had mentioned it to Jacob, who had mentioned it to her. She mentioned it to Sarah (her girlfriend/business partner), and the ball began to roll.

“Liz, I don’t know what you think is going on, but Ian and I are getting married so that it will be easier for him to adopt Eli. The wedding is probably going to be in our living room with just the family there.”

“Cam. That’s what you say. And while it’s a noble idea, you can’t leave out the fact you two boys are madly in love with each other, and if you get your head out of your ass, that’s the real reason you want to marry Ian.”

“But we don’t want a huge production, Liz. I don’t know what you think we want, but it really is something small and intimate.”

“So let us plan ‘small and intimate’ in a way that’s so special and beautiful that it will be something you will look back on for the rest of your lives.”

Shit. That girl is so fucking persuasive. I asked her what she had in mind—uh oh.

“So—Charlie’s folks were thrilled when I asked them about having the wedding on the beach behind their home. And we can use their home as ‘wedding central’ for the big day.”

“What the fuck? You already asked them?”

“Well, sure. And they agreed on the condition that you agreed.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake—go on.”

“How many people do you think would attend?”

“Well, no more than twenty—maybe twenty-five tops.”

“Excellent. Since it’s less than forty people, we can have the reception right there at the house. Do you have a date picked out?”

“October 10. And then Sam got us scheduled at Family Court on the 12th for the adoption hearing.”

“Perfect! It might still be warm enough to have the wedding on the beach instead of in a tent.”

“A tent? Really? We don’t need a tent!”

“Oh, there’s a tent. Already planned. It’s where the reception will be held. And if it’s too cold for outdoors, the wedding will be in it, as well. That way, we don’t mess up the Danner’s house.”

“Tent? Reception? Liz—really, it’s already getting too expensive. We can’t—"

“Stop, Cam. I didn’t want to tell you yet, but you know Sarah and I love you guys so much. We both agreed that planning your wedding would be our gift to you. Like—the tent is ours—there won’t be a charge for that.”

“Liz—you can’t—”

“Too late, wedding boy, already taken care of.”

We continued eating and talked more about her plans for our wedding—even though there weren’t many to be made. It turns out Liz and Sarah had spoken with everyone except Ian and me and set the whole thing up. At first, I was a little pissed off, but then she turned me around, and I realized that both of our families and all of our friends wanted to take care of things for us since we had just been through so much bullshit in the last couple of months. The more she explained—the more I thought—it really was an awesome thing.

Now I had to talk with Ian and get him on board. But first, back to work and have a little sit-down with Charlie.

I walked into the shop and into the back, where Charlie was changing Eli’s diaper. “I don’t know if I should spank you or kiss you, Charlie Danner!”

“Dammit, Cam! Why do you always have to give me such hard choices in life?”

He fucking cracks me up! How could I even pretend to be angry with him? So, I held out my arms, gave him a big kiss on the cheek, and thanked him for all the work he had already done to make our wedding day special.

When I told Charlie that I still had to convince Ian, he told me it was already handled. Claire filled him in on the plans. Apparently, he was a little pissed at first, too. But when Claire explained that the entire family wanted to plan things for them so he and I wouldn’t have to worry about a thing. Ian changed his mind.

We still wanted to work out a couple of details, but they were simple and would cause zero stress.

Things were happening so quickly! Dad came to the shop and took my measurements. He was going to make tuxes for Ian and me since our prom tuxes wouldn’t fit anymore. Thank you, gym!

Ian was working his ass off with his physical therapist. He was determined to walk with me down to the beach on our wedding day without worry or pain—and was almost there! Like, just a couple of weeks after he got home, he was moving up and down the stairs without that slow-as-fuck chair.

Before we knew it, October 9 was here, and it was time for our wedding rehearsal. Ian, Eli, and I got in my Charger and headed over to Charlie’s. Thank God we were in the middle of an Indian summer. The temperature was in the high sixties.

We asked our dads to stand for us. Charlie was going to do a reading. Vic sprung for a string quartet from the high school. We got the pastor who baptized Eli to perform the ceremony. Hayden volunteered to be our photographer and said he would also video the service.

The rehearsal went off without a hitch, except when the pastor asked me if I had finished writing my vows, I had to admit that I hadn’t finished them yet. Actually, I had finished about fifteen versions but just couldn’t get the right words to sound natural and heartfelt.

The rehearsal dinner took place at my parents’ home. Mom set up tables all over the house and had it catered. Again, the goal was zero stress!

After dinner, Claire and my mom asked Ian and me to join them in the kitchen. Mom spoke up first.

“Boys, I can’t tell you how proud and happy I am to see you getting married. Now, I know things are a bit different with you since you’ve been practically married for over two years.”

“But there’s one thing we are insisting on,” Claire continued. “Cam, you are going to spend the night here with your parents. Ian, you’ll come home with Sam and me.”

What the fuck? “Mom! Are you serious?”

“Ian. Cam,” Claire continued, “We were talking the other day and were thinking back on our weddings. The thing about the night before, spending it apart was the best thing we did. It gave us a chance to think.”

“Son, you and Ian should take one last night to think about all you’ve been through—what you mean to each other. What your family will be like after the adoption hearing. I know you both hate the idea now, but you’ll thank us later. I know that for sure.”

Then she did it. She started to cry—the nuclear arsenal of mother weapons.

“Besides—it’s the last chance I have to spend time with my little boy. Tomorrow you take your last step in becoming a man.”

Fuck me. I pulled Mom into my arms as Ian grabbed Claire. We looked at each other. Ian took charge.

“Okay, we’ll do this for you. You both have done so much to make this wedding special. I guess we can give you this.”

Soon, everyone had left, and the caterers were packing up everything and loading their van. We were sitting in the living room. Eli was fast asleep in my arms while I rocked him in Mom’s chair. I reached for my cell phone so that I could send a quick text to Ian. Dad stopped me.

“Son. Put the phone away. I’m pretty sure Ian survived the trip home, and I’m also pretty sure that right about now, Sam and Claire have asked him for his phone. Your mom is right—you shouldn’t have any contact with each other tonight.”

“But—”

“No buts, Cam. Let me have your phone. You’ll get it back when we get to the wedding tomorrow. Make this night about yourself and the amazing man you are and the even more amazing man you are about to marry.”

Well, fuck me. This is going to be the longest night of my life! Looking back, I don’t think I’ve ever gone an entire night without, at the very least, texting my boy—okay, except for when he was in a coma! But I didn’t want any arguments or fights tonight, so I gave my phone to Dad. “Hey, don’t be lookin’ through my stuff Dad. Okay?”

He proceeded to turn off my phone, and then he got up. “I have something to show you, Cam. I think you’ll be happy to see it, too!”

Dad left the room and came back with a garment bag. “I don’t think I’ve ever had so much fun putting something together for you. I should tell you, Charlie designed them and was a great help in making everything a reality.”

He opened the bag, and I started to tear up immediately. It was my tuxedo for the wedding. It was one of my favorite colors—the deepest burgundy I’ve ever seen with black satin trim. The shirt matched the tux, and there was a black, narrow tie. But the killer part—and I’m sure totally Charlie’s doing—the pants were actually long shorts—it looked like they were going to come down just below the knee.

Dad said Ian’s was identical but then—in the back of the bag was the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. It was another tux—for Eli!—and it matched mine perfectly! Dad said Charlie made that one. I could see it in his eyes that Dad was sooo proud of Charlie.

Mom got up and took Eli out of my arms. She said she was going to put him up in their room so I wouldn’t be disturbed.

Dad walked behind me and went over to the bar to pour himself a drink. He asked if wanted one, but I just asked for some water.

“Son. You know, the night before a wedding, the father is supposed to impart some words of wisdom to his son. I’ve been thinking for the last three days about what I would say to you and have just come up short every time.

“I guess the truth of the matter is that you probably could give me some words of wisdom after all you’ve been through the last couple of months. When I saw how strong you were during the initial days following Ian’s accident, I wondered if I could have been so strong if it was your mother in the hospital bed.”

“But Dad, I was such a total mess. I wasn’t strong. I was terrified!”

“Oh, I know. But it took mountains of strength to fight your feelings and be there for your baby boy—and the rest of us.

“And then there’s that baby boy. Someday, I hope Eli will grow to realize how, despite all the tragedy surrounding his birth, you stepped up and raised him without an inkling of hesitation. When I see you with that baby, and I see how much he adores his daddy, my heart bursts with pride when I see nothing but unconditional love.”

“But again, Dad. I couldn’t have done any of that without Mom and Claire. They had to teach me practically everything!”

“And you not only learn from them, but you also didn’t let your teenage pride get in the way of letting them help you. Someday, you will realize exactly how proud I am to call you my son—and I’m pretty sure it will be a night just like this when you are talking to Eli before his wedding.”

“Dad—I wouldn’t be any of the things you’ve said if it weren’t for you. You made me the man I am today. I love you, Dad.”

“I love you, Cam. Now, tomorrow’s a huge day for all of us. Why don’t you head upstairs and try to get some sleep? I’ll see you in the morning.”

We had a nice long hug, and Dad headed off to bed. I just stood there and watched him, hoping that twenty years from now, I’m half the man he is—then I know I’ll be alright.

* * * * *

I couldn’t believe it when Sam and Claire took my cell phone away. We were sitting around the kitchen table, talking about life and all that Cam and I had been through—and survived. The more we talked, the more I began to see how spending the night alone with my family was probably a good idea.

Yeah, I was thinking about Cam pretty much the entire night. It was more intense when I finally went to bed.

I think I fell in love with Cam all over again as I was lying in bed and thinking about how amazing he is. How he held up and stayed strong while I was in the hospital still blows me away. How he has been the perfect daddy to Eli makes me want to be a better man.

And then I think about how it’s going to be—married to this amazing man. It brings tears to my eyes, just thinking about it. But when I think about sex with Cam—Ooooooooooh—time to stroke out another nut.

* * * * *

I woke up with the remnants of three dried loads of cum all over my abs and chest. Damn, just thinking about my life with Ian got me so fucking hot! When I thought about how his ass would wrap around my throbbing cock—I had to bust a nut. When I thought about how his amazing cock would do things to me that I never thought were physically possible—had to bust a nut.

My biggest nut happened when I thought back a little over two years ago and our first night together. No matter how hard I tried to deny it—no matter hard I tried to tell myself I didn’t want it—I totally and completely fell in love with that beautiful boy.

Yeah, I call him beautiful a lot. You have to realize it’s so much more than his eyes, his dimples, and even his so-fucking-hot-it-should-be-illegal body. It’s his heart, his spirit, and the way he makes me a better man every day I spend with him.

Then I smelled the bacon. I dragged myself out of bed and made my way to the bathroom. I had to pee and clean up before I started the day—my fucking wedding day! Our fucking wedding day.

When I finally got downstairs, Mom had set out French toast, bacon, and a fresh melon salad. The orange juice and coffee hit the spot. She made hot baby cereal for the little man, and he apparently loved it since more ended up inside his tummy than on the table and floor around him.

It was nice having a slow, leisurely breakfast with the parents and my little boy. It kind of set the pace for the day and just allowed us to keep the stress off to the side.

We had to be at Charlie’s house at noon, and the wedding was scheduled to start at 1:00. At 10:30, Mom said I needed to go up and shower, shave and get dressed. She was going to bathe the baby and get him ready to go.

By 11:45, we were all on our way. I looked down at Eli in his perfectly-made baby tux and just smiled. He looked back up at me, and I swear he had this little smirk on his face that said no matter what anyone says, he was going to be the star of the day!

I couldn’t wait to see Ian! It had been too long since I’ve kissed him. Okay, so it’s just been overnight, but still—you know what I mean!

When we got to the house, Dad and I were ushered into the master bedroom, and the door was shut behind us. A few minutes later, Liz came in and pinned a beautiful white rose boutonniere to my lapel.

“Ian’s here, and he’s also all set.”

“Cool! I want to go see him!”

“No, Cam. You’ll see him on the back porch when you’re ready to walk down to the beach. Just like we rehearsed, okay?”

“You’re a total hard-ass, Liz!” I smiled and thanked her for all she had done for Ian and me. She kissed me on the cheek and said it was her total pleasure as long as we did what we were supposed to do and not sneak around behind her back.

She asked me if I had the rings. I gave them to her so she could tie them to the ring bearer’s pillow. I was shocked when Charlie asked if we would mind having a ring bearer. When I asked him why, he said when he was telling Timmy about being in our wedding, he decided he wanted to be in it, too. So Timmy will walk down the aisle beside Charlie. Jeannie, Timmy’s mother, was thrilled that Charlie was having such a positive effect on her son.

Just as the sound guy finished hooking me up with a wireless mic, I heard knocking on the door. It was Liz asking if I was ready. It was time to head to the back porch. Hell yeah, I was!

Dad and I got to the back porch just as Ian and Sam were. Oh, my God! He looked fucking amazing in the tux! I leaned into him and whispered that into his ear, adding, “but I can’t wait to get you out of that tux tonight!”

My beautiful boy flashed me his dimpled smile just as Mom handed the little munchkin to me. So, this was the first thing that Ian and I insisted on. The two of us would make our way down the aisle—together—with Eli. We were more than getting married as a couple. We were making our family complete—the three of us.

The string quartet started playing “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring,” and our parents were the first to walk down to the beach. Claire and Mom were sat on the front row while Sam and Dad took their place on either side of the pastor.

Next was Charlie and Timmy. They sat next to Claire, and then it was time! My beautiful family walked down together. I guess you could say Eli was my very special bouquet! When we got down to the front, I handed my baby boy to Charlie. Ian and I then took our places in front of the pastor. Here we go!

The pastor began:

“We have gathered to celebrate the joining of Cameron, Ian, and little Eli in a covenant of love and family. This covenant is the promise of hope between people who love each other, who understand their love as a gift of God, who trust that love, and who wish to share the future together.

“It enables these separate people to share their desires, longings, dreams, and memories—and to help each other through their uncertainties. It provides the encouragement to risk more and thus to gain more. In this covenant, these people belong together, providing mutual support and stability, and as it is God’s will, a place in which their children may grow.

“Here, in the presence of God, we recognize and bless their relationship as they begin their married life together in the community.

Cameron, will you have Ian to be your husband, to live together in this covenant of love? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?”

“I will.”

“Ian, will you have Cameron to be your husband, to live together in this covenant of love? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?

“I will.”

“God, faithful and true, whose steadfast love endures forever: we give you thanks for sustaining Cameron and Ian in the life they share with Eli and for bringing them to this day. Nurture them and fill them with joy in their life together, continuing the good work you have begun in them; and grant us, with them, a dwelling place eternal in the heavens where all your people will share the joy of perfect love, and where you, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, live and reign, one God, now and forever.”

“Amen.”

“Cameron and Ian have come before God and the Church to make public their commitment to one another and to ask God’s blessing. Will all of you gathered here give your pledge to honor and uphold Cameron, Ian, and Eli; to recognize them as a family in this community, to guide and pray for them in times of trouble, to celebrate with them in times of joy, to respect the bonds of their covenant, and to seek to discern the continuing presence of Christ within them?”

“We will.”

“Then let us pray for Cameron, Ian, and Eli in their life together.

“Gracious God, grant Cameron and Ian understanding and devotion in the ordering of their common life, that each may be to the other a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity, a comfort in sorrow, and a companion in joy.

“Grant them calm strength and patient wisdom to care for the children you entrust to them.

“Give them such fulfillment of their mutual affection that they may reach out in love and concern for others.

“Grant that their wills may be so knit together in your will, and their spirits in your Spirit, that they may grow in love and peace with you and one another all the days of their life.

“Grant that all present who will witness these vows may find their lives strengthened and their loyalties confirmed. Amen.

“It is now time for Cameron and Ian to exchange their vows. We had to flip a coin yesterday to see who would go first. Ian? You’re up!

I stood there looking deep into my beautiful boy’s eyes. Wow! He started to tear up before he even started!

“Cameron, I still feel a little cheated for the way you proposed to me. When you asked me to marry you, I was in a coma. A coma! At least you knew I couldn’t say no. And I know you know I would never say that. And yes, after I woke up, I heard you clear as a bell when you asked me to be your husband.

“Cameron, the strength you have in every situation we find ourselves in gives me hope that we can handle anything that might come our way. Your fearlessness gives me the confidence to make sure every day I share with you and Eli is one that will make a difference in our lives.

“Every day I am with you, I find that I become a better man. You make me a better man. You make me a complete man. You have given me a perfect life. I vow to be with you, wholly and completely, for as long as we both live.”

Holy crap! He did all that from memory! I just finished writing mine last night. And I have to use a sheet of paper. I suddenly feel so inadequate.

“Ian, I have to confess to you that I’ve written about thirty versions of my vows, and none of them seemed to do you justice. And then last night, I understood why our families insisted we spend the time alone.

“I thought about the time we met—when I turned around and saw you looking at me across the room. I thought about how my heart began somersaulting while I found myself walking to you.

Dammit! I had to pull the paper out of my jacket pocket! Sure hope I can read it through my teary eyes!

“It was what I saw in you that first night together that made it so incredibly easy to fall in love with you. Through all my awkwardness, nerves, and even denial, you were loving, caring, patient, and kind.

“And then, over time, I found that those qualities weren’t just something you turned on and off when you needed them. They are all a part of who you are. They are a part of your DNA.

“Your love, your care, your patience, and your kindness are my rock. When I wake up in the morning, I know that I can do anything with you standing beside me. I know I can do nothing wrong—well, most of the time.

“But when I see you with my son—no, OUR son—there is nothing in the world that could make me more proud—or happier. You are an amazing father, an incredible partner, and the source of everything good that is in my life. I will be with you, and everything I do from now on will be for you and our family.

It wasn’t part of the rehearsal, but we both just leaned forward and touched foreheads. The tears were flowing, and I sure hope the sound guy turned off our mics. At the same time, we both said, “I love you,” and just held hands.

It was time for Charlie to do his readings. We didn’t want Bible verses, but Charlie and I found a couple of passages from Shakespeare that were perfect. The first practically told the story of Ian and me.

“A reading from William Shakespeare’s AS YOU LIKE IT: ‘No sooner met but they looked, no sooner looked but they loved, no sooner loved but they sighed, no sooner sighed but they asked one another the reason, no sooner knew the reason, but they sought the remedy; and in these degrees, have they made a pair of stairs to marriage.’

“Another reading from William Shakespeare’s ROMEO AND JULIET: ‘My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep. The more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite.’

“I picked one final reading as a surprise for Cam and Ian. It’s from Robert Fulgham’s ‘All I Ever Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten:”

“All of what I really need to know about how to live, and what to do, and how to be, I learned in Kindergarten.

“These are the things I learned…
Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. Give them to someone who feels sad.
Live a balanced life.
Learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day.
Take a nap every afternoon.
Be aware of wonder.

And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.”

Wow! I totally loved that last reading. Not exactly what you’d expect to hear at a wedding, but it was perfect! Charlie returned to his seat, and the pastor began the last part of the ceremony.

“Timmy, can you bring me the rings?”

It took a little coaching and coaxing from Charlie, but Timmy stood and brought his pillow to the pastor. She untied the rings and placed them in her book as Timmy went back to his seat next to Charlie.

“Let us pray. Christ our light, encircle these rings with your blessing to show the love of Cameron and Ian. Blend them together and keep them in your love eternally. Amen”

I put the ring on Ian’s hand—it was tough! I was kind of shaking! What the Hell???

“Ian, receive this ring as a symbol of my never-ending and limitless love.”

Funny, as soon as Ian held my hand to put the ring on my finger, I stopped shaking.

“Cam, receive this ring as a symbol of my never-ending and limitless love.”

“May God so join you together that nothing shall ever part you.

“My friends, inasmuch as Cameron and Ian have exchanged vows of love and fidelity in the presence of God and the Church, I now pronounce that they are bound to one another in a holy covenant, as long as they both shall live.

“Cameron and Ian, with abiding confidence and affection, we send you forth on your journey of life together. Go and meet it gladly! And now, it is my pleasure to introduce to you for the first time, Cameron and Ian Greenely-Franklin!

Holy shit! It’s done. I’ve just married the most amazing man on the planet! And he married me back!

The reception was a blast. There was lots of toasting, lots of kissing, and a ton of dancing. We spent our wedding night in our bed at home. And we just kissed and held each other. Damn! We were both exhausted!

On Monday, we went to Family Court with Sam, Claire, Mary, and my folks. In less than fifteen minutes, Eli officially became Elias Cameron Greenely-Franklin. Our family was complete.

And to think I resisted this whole thing when it all began.

 

EPILOGUE

Eighteen years ago, that beautiful kid came into our lives and scared the Hell out of us. Now he was standing on the same stage his Dad once stood on, delivering the valedictorian speech to his Senior class.

Our entire extended family was there, too. Charlie and Jacob sat next to us with their son Noah. Sam and Claire were joined by Mary and sat in front of us next to my parents. Vic was there with Jack (I’ll explain in a minute, okay?) and their twin girls.

And sitting between Ian and me was Olivia, our stunningly beautiful eleven-year-old daughter. I should say she is stunningly beautiful because she’s Ian’s biological daughter. It was Liz’s idea. She wanted to be a surrogate for Ian and me. After weeks of debating, we all agreed, and it happened—only this time with a turkey baster in the doctor’s office! Livvy knows that Liz is her mom but calls her Aunt Lizzy. And let me tell you how adorable it has been watching Eli take on the role of protective big brother.

Ah yes, Eli. He has truly been a fantastic kid. When he was four, he would make his way upstairs and sit at Claire’s grand piano and start playing. By the time he was ten, he was entering competitions (and winning a significant number of them).

By the time he was a freshman in high school, he had started swimming on his Uncle Vic’s swim team. That’s where he met Emma, and he soon had a girlfriend. It was rather funny watching him come out to us as “straight.” As with most high school first romances, it didn’t last. About two months later, we noticed his friendship with his best friend Eric (also a swimmer) was blossoming into something quite intense.

Eli then came out again—this time as “fluid,” and the funny thing is, he and Eric are still together. Eric’s parents spend a lot of time out of town for work, so it’s like we gained another son—which I loved, especially since we didn’t have to go through the diaper stage with him!

And then there’s the amazing Charlie. He and Jacob finally tied the knot a couple of months after we did, and soon into their marriage, they fostered Noah, the most adorable special-needs kid you could imagine. Yes, he still had his walls—but Charlie was able to tear them down at his first meeting with the boy. Jacob soon followed, and they were able to adopt Noah.

I mentioned Vic and his partner Jack. About two years after Vic and Hayden met, Hayden was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. It was very aggressive, and Hayden passed away after just four months. Vic was a mess, and while he still was great with his students, he would go home and just sit—barely existing at the end of the school day. It broke our hearts when Vic would push away the people who cared so much about him.

Then, about a year later, a new history teacher arrived at the high school. Jack Fletcher was instantly attracted to Vic and, with some fellow teachers' help, was able to break through to him. They are perfect for each other, and now that Vic is the principal of the high school, their relationship is stronger than ever. About a year after they married, they adopted twin girls, Cassidy and Caroline.

The folks are doing great. Ian is a partner in Sam’s law firm and handles all the cases involving victims' rights and family law. My dad’s arthritis has gotten worse, and he’s now terrorizing the community in his motorized wheelchair. Mom, Claire, and Mary are thick as thieves and are always plotting and planning the next surprise celebration for someone in our wonderful extended family.

So here we are—listening to our beautiful son wrap up his speech:

“… so here I stand. In the same spot my dad stood nineteen years ago. I look out and see all the people who have made my four years at this school the most amazing experience I could have ever dreamed of.

“When I listen to the stories my dads tell me about what it was like being in high school twenty years ago, I can understand how they ended up being two of the most amazing men in this city. Oh, and did you know they were the school’s first prom kings? So cool!

“But I think back on the last four years of my life, and the one constant is the unconditional love and encouragement I have received each and every day of my life. When I came out to them as straight, they didn’t bat an eyelash. And then when I brought Eric home and came out to them again—this time as fluid. They took both of us in their arms and loved us—unconditionally.

“I hope that I turn out to be a supportive and loving parent, just like the ones I have. And when I have a kid or two of my own, I know the lessons I’ve learned will help them become extraordinary.

“So, the lesson I’ve learned—and want to share with all of you—is that everyone in your life is there to teach us. They teach us how to live—and some teach us how not to live. They teach us how to love and respect others—and some teach us how not to treat others.

“My fellow Seniors, I ask you to take those lessons with you as you go out into the world. And if we all learn from the lessons we are taught, we can make the world even better than it is now.”

I stood up with the rest of the crowd packed into the gymnasium and felt the tears falling down my face. Yes, I’ve been blessed with a beautiful life, a wonderful family and have had the most incredible man in the world by my side the entire way.

 

 

 

This story's wedding service is based on the Episcopal Church’s Book of Common Prayer services.