Matthew--Happy Birthday

He came roaring into our lives January 3, 1968. Fifty years ago. How could that be? Matthew fifty! And he has been a delight. He did so well in art in High School...thanks to Teacher Brenda--that the South Carolina Governor's School recommended he spend his last year in High School at the North Carolina School for the Arts. He flourished there. And they recommended that he go to the Art Institute in Chicago. The scariest thing we ever did was to move all his peculiar treasures into a shabby apartment in that huge city, turn around and head back to South Carolina and leave him standing there.

When he graduated he spent about six months or more at Habitat for Humanity in Americus, Georgia. My Associate Tom Hall had turned him on to that wonderful organization which helped build homes for those in need. He wrote us one day and said he he was leaving Americus, moving back to Chicago to live with a guy named Mark. It was the time when the AIDS crisis was rampant--and we were scared. And we didn't know who this Mark guy was. Well, that relationship must be pretty good because they have been together at least 28 years. I don't know a stronger or better partnership. Our daughter Leslie years ago said, "Gosh, I wish I could find someone like Mark."

After they had been together 25 years Pennsylvania decided gay folk could get married. And so one bright morning, standing by their fireplace in their home in Philadelphia--I married them. Tears streamed down all of our faces. What a

long journey they have made against many dangers, toils and snares. Yet--the best evidence I know that what the Supreme Court did in saying gay couples could get married is this couple.

He and his sister both love use fiercely--and we certainly feel that way about them.   Matthew is a fine photographer for Bed and Breakfasts around the county. His work has appeared in all sorts of magazines. Mark does the business side and Matthew handles the creative work. They have done quite well except we never know where they are. Their work takes them everywhere.

And so on his fiftieth birthday I look back on his journey and proudly give him a standing ovation. On my seventieth birthday they gave my wife and I a trip to Italy and went along with us! What fun. But we've also been with them in Barcelona and California and Chicago and New York.

Matthew we are so very proud of you. I know you are somewhere in California celebrating this day. But I wanted you to know, once again that one of the best things that has happened to our family was that cold, cold day when you came into our lives fifty years ago.

--Roger Lovette / rogerlovette.blogspot.com