My Happy Beginning

I was never one of those girls who believed in prince charming or happily ever after, probably because I didn’t like boys – it only took 20 years to figure that out 🙄 Then again, time, patience, and of course, the universe have a special way of allowing for life to come full circle.

If you follow me on Instagram then by now you’ve heard my coming out story. If not, here it goes…

My Coming Out Story

My partner and I met in college 15 years ago. As a freshmen, I was an immature “heterosexual” – or so I thought – jock. She tried to gain my affection, but always fell short because I didn’t know that I was gay. No, seriously! I was one of those girls who entered college dating their “high school sweetheart.” To this day, it blows my mind that I ever had a boyfriend, but that’s a different conversation. Any who, my partner and I met in the cafeteria of Manhattan College and hit it off right away. As my partner tells it, she saw me and thought “who is that?!” I thought the same thing, but for a long time I didn’t know what that feeling meant.

We quickly became best friends, kicking it on a regular basis. I don’t quite remember when or why, but at some point she became my “wifey”. Mind you, I STILL thought that I was straight. Go figure.

Looking back, there were several experiences that should have caused me to realize that the heterosexual societal norms that I was subscribing to was not me. For example: I vividly remember being mad at her for being late to my basketball game. Like mad to the point that after the game when she had been waiting for me, as she always did, I walked passed her as if she didn’t exist. Geez, I was such a JERK! I also use to barge into her room nightly, get into her bed, roll over, and say don’t touch me. Like who did I think I was and why did she put up with me?!

It wasn’t until I transferred that I came to terms with who I was and my feelings for her. At that point, it was too late. I was in love and she was over me. I remember sending countless Facebook messages, texts, and calls in the hopes that she would give me a chance, but it never worked. She ignored every call and message. In fact, the only time she would call me was when she was tipsy or had a few too many. Now who’s the jerk? Lol. Looking back, I guess I deserved it for treating her so poorly and taking her for granted for two years.

For the next 10 years, we played tug of war with each others feelings. Timing was never right. One of us was always in a relationship or situationship.

Two years ago, we reconnected on Facebook via random status’. I’m a huge foodie. She wrote a random message on her page about cooking that I decided to respond to. We went back and forth on Facebook before exchanging numbers. I don’t know what texting did, but it opened our pandora’s box. I remember laying in bed blushing while we texted and anxiously waiting for her to respond back to my every message. A few weeks after exchanging numbers, I invited her to the Tribeca Film Festival Screening for the documentary of The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson. That was the beginning of our beginning.

The Ring

I still can’t believe that we are engaged 😳😄 I never imagined that after years of playing cat and mouse that my coming out story would be my happy ending.

Now, don’t get too excited, I’m not going to share all of the details of the proposal as we are still enjoying the moment, but here’s the short version…

In February 2018, I began the ring making process. Keep in mind that I didn’t know anything about engagement rings, diamonds, and don’t get me started on diamond cuts. I was clueless! But, without knowing, my partner taught me a thing or two about rings. For example – when watching a movie or walking passed a jewelry shop, I would ask her questions like ‘what’s your dream ring? What cut diamond do you like and why? What’s your ring size?’ She must have thought a proposal was so farfetched because she never asked any questions or showed signs of suspicion.

The Proposal

In previous posts, I’ve shared that my partner was born in England. Even though she’s spent most of her life in America, she still considers London her home. So, being the hopeless romantic that I am, I thought it would be special to create a new memory and connection to her hometown, which is why I proposed in London.

There was so much that went into prepping for this day like her mom flying in to surprise her from Boston, her brother (the chef) organizing the intimate engagement dinner, and her best friends supporting me throughout the process and making sure that on the day, everything went as planned.

As 4pm approached, I knew it was almost time! My heart beat rapidly as we made our way onto Tower Bridge. I was hoping for a cotton candy sunset, but the sparkling lights of the bridge were just as magical. She walked in front of me, turning around every few steps. Just as we crossed the middle of the bridge, I got down on one knee. I’ll never forget the look on her face.

W Leicester Square

Our night wouldn’t be complete without a stay at our home away from home, the W London at Leicester Square. Everyone from W Insiders – Jamie and Jackie – to the room service staff. Their attention to detail and ability to personalize every experience never seizes to amaze me.

Our stay at the W London, was as always memorable, but this time it sealed the deal on one of the most important trips of my partner and I’s life. So, thank you W Hotel family. Until next time!