Today is the 9th anniversary of Patrick and my first date. After initially meeting on AOL in the Orlando M4M room, we talked frequently beginning in March of 1997. One of my first memories of him was hearing his stories about eating gator out by the swamp where his grandparent’s lived. It may surprise you to know that this life-long Florida native has only since then tried gator, and the thought of eating that was still quite alien at the time.

We first met in person at the UCF MIDI lab where I was holding lab hours with my friend and now coworker Ken. Patrick brought his friend and ex-girlfriend Wendy along for moral support, who mysteriously disappeared once we started walking around UCF and talking. Anyway, he must have been impressed because we had our next date that Friday, April 18th.

One of the funniest/worst things people have said when we tell them how long we’ve been together is “Wow…that’s a long time!” meaning “Wow…that’s a long time for gay men!” Its not that their wrong, either. So many men, gay or straight, out there would much rather cut and run when problems present themselves. Patrick and I might not always see eye-to-eye on things, but the one vital thing we’ve learned in the past 9 years is how to get past our differences and move forward together. Its never easy, but its always important and totally worth the effort.

As Sam Keen said originally (and Patrick quoted in his card today),

Tags: flickr, Patrick, Personal, UCF

Categories: Public

---

3 Responses

1. 

   Brad:

   That Sam Keen is a pretty shrewd dude.

   19.04.2006 08:26

2. 

   BT:

   Congratulations, guys. All the best of hairy, beefy muscle hugs to the both of you. You set a fine example for other gay couples to strive for.

   19.04.2006 12:50

3. 

   Spider:

   Congrats men! Here is to 9×90 more!

   19.04.2006 13:12