Sam's story

Although I first met Justin through an adult recess league in September 2021, the first time he gave me butterflies was on a ski trip in January 2022: I was washing dishes post-dinner, and he decided to help by washing a sharp colander using his hand as a sponge. I flushed near him—and it wasn’t the wine.

Post ski trip, I flirted with him in my own special shy-person way: through play. I hid things for him to find; learned budget photoshop to edit bad movie posters and accompanied them with made up synopsis; and chased him down the bike lane in Lower Manhattan during late night tag games with friends. I hoped he would reciprocate.

We mined for information about each other's lives. I'd show up to friend hangouts just to be closer. I’d watched indie movies just to have something to talk to him about.

He cared so deeply for his friends and family. He was thoughtful and fun and never took himself too seriously. And after a couple months of terrible, skeletal embraces, he was comfortable enough with me to give a good hug.

On March 28th, 2022, Justin asked me to hang out one-on-one. We spent the evening at my apartment glueing priest crackers together with spray cheese, smashing vegan appetizers into each other's faces at a restaurant, and watching an awful wiener dog racing movie.

I’d probe him every once and awhile, questions like, "So why now?" trying to get him to admit something I refused to believe, but he'd just bounce the questions back, two people trying to out subtle each other.

I didn't want him to leave.

Around 2 AM, Justin said, "If it isn't obvious... I like you." His voice was cute and shaky.

All I said was, "I like you too."

And that was that.

Since then? LOTS of tea and coffee time together, feeding birds together, so many great days together. And now we're getting married.

Can't wait to celebrate with all of you.

Justin's story

Sam caught Justin's eye first because she was cute. And then he noticed she was shy, but warm. A little aloof and in her own world. She did not care what those around her thought of her, and had not a care to impress anyone. Justin was impressed.

Thankfully for two reserved people, their Adult Recess sports league made it easy to mingle after an hour of freeze tag and kickball. Justin had his mind made up to be her friend. If nothing else, this person would make a compatible buddy. He sensed they were similar.

Sam sensed no such thing. But that was okay.

Justin and Sam ended up on a group ski trip together. Sam barely made a peep on the four hour drive.

And on the drive back, Sam was much more her giggly self.

Justin learned of Sam's imaginitive brain and carefree nature. How she would get excited about little things like seeing birds and had a favorite tree. Her brain was fun to explore and unlike any other Justin had encountered.

The following two months were characterized by coy "just friend" flirtations. Justin and Sam initiated many group hangouts, and both had a spotless record of attendance. Sam greeted all with her signature hug, a full body clamp while jumping up and down and grunting.

Justin's crush boiled over. Though he was convinced his feelings were not reciprocated, he took a leap and asked Sam to hang out one-on-one... as a friend of course.

After a night of fingerpainting and a Netflix family film about the weenie dog olympics, Justin was not asked to leave.

Cuddling had even ensued, but still he felt it necessary to confess his feelings, just in case. He gleefully discovered Sam had been feeling the same way for quite some time, and it was one of the happiest moments he'd ever had.

Justin's love for Sam has not wavered since. Their love is easy, organic, and enriching in a way he'd never imagined. He eagerly awaits its celebration.