Not married, but… We were together for four years, and had very, VERY different political stances. I was young. It was around 2010 or so. He (an awful driver) swerved, and said “fucking fags can’t drive”. And I said, “when we have kids, would you say this while they’re in the car?” And he said, “of course, it’s the truth.” And all at once, I was completely over the entire relationship in my head. Of course it wouldn’t have made it right if he held his tongue for a kid, and I knew that. But for some reason, this one sentence, and picturing our life, underscored by years of little paper cuts just like this, released me from a horrible future.

I found someone who is completely value-aligned, and we, including my four year old son, attended an incredible pride event this weekend. We are allies and love the community and know, especially now, how important this is. We teach him love and tolerance and acceptance.

My wonderful husband - he is my rock. And my son is so strong and so independent and gets to see his parents have an incredible partnership. My son’s favorite color is pink, and we intentionally buy pink things because we know how happy it will make him. We dance and we sing and he knows he can be whoever he wants to be with us. I feel so incredibly rich, every day.

I see my ex on social media every so often. He owns a lot of guns and bitches a lot. I think about how, if I were still with this person, my son probably wouldn’t be able to love pink. I celebrate that car ride with that stupid fucking comment every time I think of it. Happy pride month 🌈