
23/07/2025
A real family is a man and a woman. I heard that my whole life. My parents said it. Our priest said it. And so we stayed quiet. For sixteen years, James and I were just “friends” in public. At dinners. At weddings. Even when we went home to the same place. But last summer, we stood on a beach, watching the sunset. A man kissed his wife nearby. No shame. No second glances. And I thought—why not us? My hands shook. But I got down on one knee. James stared at me like I was breaking a rule. I was. “I’m done hiding,” I said. “I want to love you out loud.” He cried. Then nodded. Behind us, someone clapped. Then more. Sixteen years of pretending— finally over. We were never just friends. We were always home. 🏳️🌈