How it became to be:

Michael and Richie met each other while they were in undergrad at Keene State in New Hampshire. It was Richie’s last year, and Michael’s first. It was spring when they both worked an electrics load-in for the yearly dance concert. Their professor, and now dear friend Craig Lindsay, assigned them both to be onstage together in the genie lift. Richie was a scenic artist and dancer, and did not like heights. Michael made them feel safe. There was something there. Ever so small at the time.

They would start dating that summer, working together at a summer playhouse for kids, making new work. They would spend late nights working onstage, and driving back home in the middle of the night. They would be so tired from the work. But they loved their world in Keene. They would go swimming together at Goose Pond. They would met each other’s family and friends. It happened so easily, and so naturally. Richie would meet Sarah, Michael’s sister, little to know they would find another soul mate in her as they did in Michael. Richie and Michael would face the world as two queer boys who loved each other, and kept each other safe.

There would be a period of time, as the larger world called on both of them, that they would split up. They would work in many other theaters. They would meet many other new friends. They would live many other lives, in new parts of the country. They would become better versions of themselves — through celebrations of success and times of hard struggle. After some time they would remain friends. And little did they know, they would find each other traveling together to Orlando. Ten years later, they were still each other’s best travel companion.

They returned to each other where they felt seen. They were more confident in their own selves. They missed each other.

Richie and Michael now share a life together in downtown Manchester. Both travel for work in lighting buildings, designing theater shows, venues, and restaurants. Their lives are so full. And they both know they can return home to a place that is safe. They can come home to each other.

Here’s to celebrating the upcoming day for Michael and Richie.