Feature Friday with Steven Pham & Steven Jones

Happy Friday! What are you up to this weekend? We are in Atlanta until Saturday at the AmericasMart January market and we are having a blast. We’ve met so many cool people and finally got to meet Brian Patrick Flynn in person, one of our good friends that until yesterday we’d ony we met online. He’s the one who actually set this all up for us to be able to come, so thank you again Brian!  

This week’s FF includes not one, but two Steven’s who met in college and, five years later, recently got married! Their story is honest and beautiful, especially their proposal (so cute!!!). Read on to see what their favorite thing about each their is and how they knew each other were the one. BRB, we have tooth aches from the sweetness 😍.  

Steven Jones (left) Steven Pham (right)

 Where are you from? Steven J is from Springfield, Massachusetts and Steven P is from Long Island, New York

Where do you live? Louisiana, as Steven J is stationed here for the time being. 

What’s your Instagram handle?  @vinhtpham @muthalovajones

Age: Steven J is 24 and Steven P is 25

Relationship Status: Married 

How long have y’all been together and how did you two meet? We met in college. My (Steven Pham) twin brother put a post on Facebook asking for a third roommate to live with or freshmen year and Steven responded. We checked his profile and thought he’d be a perfect fit with all the similar interests we all had. As roommates from the start of our college career we became friends in 2011 but our relationship started the year after, so we’ve been together for about 5 and a half years.

Congratulations on your big day! Who proposed to who? Steven P proposed to me while we were on vacation with my family in upstate New York. I had no idea it was going to happen. We played college volleyball and he had a ball outside and asked me to go get the ball from the ground. “Will you marry me?” was written on it and at first, I thought he stole someone else’s ball because it had something written on it haha. I didn’t put two and two together until I turned around and he was kneeling with a ring. 

What is your favorite thing about each other? Steven Jones - It is hard to choose when you love everything about someone. So one of my favorite things about Steven is his mannerisms. In public or out with others, he can be a little more reserved. When we’re together, you can see these quirks here and there that just make me smile. It’s very small things whether it’s a certain way he laughs or smiles, the way he gets excited about random things, or even how he has these slight twitches just when he is about to really fall asleep. Those quirks he has makes him who he is and I love that about him.

Steven Pham – There are so many things to love about him but if I had to choose it would be his sense of humor. He always has a way of making me laugh and look like an idiot. It is one of the reasons I love him. I tend to take life too seriously and he makes me laugh at myself.

How would you describe your home décor style? In terms of our home décor style we are still figuring that out. We have only recently been living together although we enjoy modern design with a rustic charm.

Any big plans for the future? Where do you see yourselves in 10 years? With Steven being in the military we may be moving here and there. But I can definitely see our family growing whether it’s getting a pet or two, having a child, or both! 

​How did you know he was the one Steven J – For some, it hits them all at once. For me, it was simply a general realization that he was the one and I couldn’t be any happier. I always find myself looking at him, whether he’s sleeping, watching TV, or if he’s on his phone, and I smile. He is the reason why I’m happy.

Steven P – My feelings for Steven were strong from the start. After knowing him for a year as close friends it wasn’t until I came out to him my sophomore year when it all started. Unaware that he had similar feelings I was caught off guard. Within the week that we spent from that moment was all I needed and I knew what I had in front of me. I said “I love you” in a short period of time without any expectation of hearing it in return. He is passionate about his life goals and supportive and caring to the people in his life. Loving him was easy and I knew he was the one.

What is one thing still left on your bucket list? We still have to travel around the world. It’s tough sometimes since Steven J has to be stationed in a certain places and he deploys for 6 months here and there. We both have are responsibilities that make it tough but traveling to other countries and exploring the world is something we still have to do.

How old were you when you came out and what was your experience like? Steven J – I never really had a coming out story. There wasn’t a single moment in time where I let the world know that I felt a little differently than others. In high school, I told my twin brother and really close friends. In college I told my parents, other brothers, and more friends. It wasn’t until Steven and I got engaged when I told a lot more of my family and friends because I wanted to share how I felt about him, with them.

Steven P – My coming out is not much different from Steven’s. Sharing the part of me I kept a secret for a long time was made easier when I found Steven. Together as we grew we came out to those who mattered to us, whether it was family or friends. It was the support we had for each other that never made it hard to do. However we were fortunate enough to be surrounded by loving friends and family that supported us and helped build us up and celebrated our news.

Have you faced any backlash or hardships as a couple? The main hardship we had faced was when we were together but not living with each other. With Steven being in the military, he has to go to certain places or deploy to different areas and we can’t always be with one another. We were accustomed to being together every day of our college career and it made dealing with different time zones and long distance hard when you just want to be with the one you love.  

What have you learned about how to make relationships last? Communication is such a big deal, especially when a big part of your life is away for training or a long deployment. A relationship can’t work if you don’t talk to each other. Thoughts and feelings can be understood only so much through nonverbal cues or actions. You have to express yourself through your voice to your partner for them to fully get you and I feel we do that more and more every day.

Feature Friday with Nick Perez

Happy Friday! It's the first weekend of the new year and 2018 is already shaping up to be a good year, but man is it freezing. Seriously, this bomb cyclone is absolutely no joke. Please stay as safe and warm as you can this weekend. We plan to stay in and work on our rental house. The finish line is in sight!

This week's FF shares his inspiring coming out story and how his parents took it. Nick talks about how surprised he was by his family's reaction, what he wished he would have known when he was younger, and his favorite artist at the moment (she's on of PJ's favorites too!). We think you'll enjoy learning about Nick as much as we have. Take a look below to see what we mean...

Where are you from? Pembroke Pines, Florida. I am Cuban American. 

Where do you live? Orlando, Florida

What’s your Instagram handle? @nickperez18

Age: 24 (but I turn 25 on Saturday) *Happy Birthday Nick!*  

Relationship Status: Single 

What is your favorite place you have ever travelled to and why? My favorite place I have ever traveled to is probably St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. I am fortunate enough to have visited most of the Caribbean do to where I live, and my families love for going on cruises. So this island is particularly special. I vividly remember the beach we found called Trunk Bay and it had the most pristine snorkeling site that I have ever been to, it was truly a hidden paradise. We spend the whole day exploring the reef and the beach and the edges for the forest, it was a great adventure. It was always an adventure to get to these more hidden places and I remember the great family memories we had on the island whenever we would visit. 

Who is your favorite artist at the moment? Favorite song? At the moment my favorite artist is Dua Lipa. And favorite song of her's is New Rules, I will always jam out to it whenever I hear it come on. 

What is your proudest accomplishment? My proudest accomplishment has to be graduating from nursing school and passing my nursing boards and getting my dream job in the PICU all within 5 months. 2017 was crazy for those reasons but it was truly amazing seeing all my hard work pay off. 

How would you describe your home décor style? I would say my decor style would be Modern Rustic style. I like clean lines, brightly lit rooms, whites, grays, and blues, and all accompanied with older or cozy accent pieces that can bring a home or space together. Basically anything Joanna Gaines designs I love. 

What is something you wish you would’ve known when you were younger? I wish I would've known not to be scared to be who I was. That your true friends and family will love and accept you no matter what. 

What is one thing still left on your bucket list? Travel and backpack on my own throughout Europe. I have still yet to travel across the ocean so I would love to spend time in my home land of Spain and experience what my ancestors once have in those ancient countries. And to do it alone and just take it all in on my own time and meet new people along the way seems like a great adventure. 

How old were you when you came out and what was your experience like? I came out to friends when I was at college when I was about 20, and they were extremely positive and supportive and I honestly had a great support system. I came out to my family when I was 23. That was much harder for me. I never really came out to them at first because I was truly scared of what their reactions to having a gay son would be. Growing up in a Cuban-Catholic family, being gay was never really an option and never talked about. But one day I was talking to guy for a few months and something deep down told me that I needed to just come out clean to my parents. And so on October 20th, 2015 I came out to my mom and dad. And it was the best decision I have ever made. They were extremely accepting and loving and I was truly shocked by their reaction. They even apologized to me for making me feel scared to talk to them about that or anything, and that I can always come to them and talk to them about anything. They told me all that mattered was my happiness and they would stand by me no matter what. It was truly the greatest feeling in the world. 

What have you learned about yourself in your coming out process? I have learned that I have truly the greatest family and friends who support and love me in all that I do. I learned that I can express myself more and communicate ideas more freely because I am no longer scared of being judged. Yes being gay is very important to me and is part of my identity but it doesn't define me as a person because there is so much more to me that just that, and I think that more people need to understand that, but I am lucky to be surrounded by people who do. 

Have you faced any backlash or criticism since coming out? Honestly I am blessed to say that I have not faced any backlash or criticism in the coming out process. Everyone has been so loving and kind and supportive. And frankly we live in a time where many people just see me for being me and that is what is truly amazing. It was great to see people I meet or friends not even care about it cause that isn't what defines me and as long as I am the happy go lucky guy that I am nothing else really matters. And for that I am blessed

Who is your biggest inspiration and why? My parents. I can't just pick one of them. My dad because he has taught me so much, I am the man today because of him. His drive and determination to support his family is something I have never seen before and I want to be like that when I am a father. My mom because she is such a fun and loving person. She has a passion for everything she does or wants to do. She also never gives up, no matter what obstacle is thrown her way she always preservers. They are my rocks and together I want to be like them. 

Feature Friday with Ron Hodge

Happy Friday y'all! The last Friday of the year! Do you have any big plans for New Year’s Eve? Every year we have a small get together at home with snacks and family. Last year we spent it with some out of town guests which was a blast, but this year it will just be us and the family.

This week's FF is a deeply personal one. Ron opens up about his coming out process and how his kids took it. He has a thing or two to say about living authentically and his writing makes him seem familiar, like you've known him forever, probably because he's hilarious and so very relatable. We found a lot of truth in his words and we think you will, too. Read on to see what we mean:

Where are you from? Born and raised in the Detroit metro area. Totally changed scenes my senior year of high school when my family moved to rural Indiana. I spent some time in Tennessee and Alabama during and after college and now I'm back in Indiana. 

Where do you live? Terre Haute, IN is a small city west of Indianapolis almost all the way to the Illinois border. Our biggest claim to fame is a mention in "A Christmas Story" - "The line stretched all the way back to Terre Haute!" 

What’s your Instagram handle? @ronwhodge

Age: 34

Relationship Status: My guy, Alex, and I have officially been together 10 months as of the day after Christmas. 

What is your favorite place you have ever traveled to and why? I'd have to go with Lake Michigan. It's not the most extravagant or exotic trip by far but since my kids were young, it's been an annual trip to travel up the west coast of Michigan and explore new little beach towns. It's been a way to connect them with my birth state, enjoy nature and make great memories. It's also where I committed to coming out three years ago. 

Choose a song for the story of your life: Todrick Hall's 'Wrong Bitch', lol, not really but I have been obsessed with it lately. Although this changes with my eclectic music tastes, I'd have to go with 'Secrets' by Mary Lambert - love her

What is your proudest accomplishment? I get itchy when I think about bragging on myself but pretty freaking proud of the two awesome kids, Madi & Carter, that I've helped raise. They are growing to be caring, loving and empathetic little people and I love them absolutely.

How would you describe your home décor style? I'd call it an interdenominational modern retro comfort look- I like modern, I like retro, I want to be comfortable and I'm open to how those religions mix. 

What is something you wish you would’ve known when you were younger? Living authentically is worth the repercussions- any other kind of life will leave you regretting time sacrificed on the altar of other people's convictions.

What is one thing still left on your bucket list? Really want to take Alex and the kids on a huge adventure to see the national parks out west

How old were you when you came out and what was your experience like? I was 31 when I finally uttered the words for the first time. It was at times excruciating for me and the people closest to me. Overall the most nightmarish scenarios that I had used as excuses to my hesitation for years did not come to past. I did lose most of the community I had known since I was in a deeply religious community as a part time pastor. I did receive many ugly notes and phone calls, and I endured some uncomfortable conversations and scoldings during some reparative therapy that I agreed to attend in an attempt to ease into the new reality with my soon to be ex wife. These things along with the months of uncertainty that followed the big decision have paled in comparison to the new freedom found in living authentically. Life still has its challenges and living out is not always as fabulous as I built it up to be in my mind, but I'm so very thankful.

What have you learned about yourself in your coming out process? When you live life compromising your true self and hiding from those closest to you, you don't realize how thoroughly that affects everything you do. The insecurities I had nurtured into these big monsters took a while to recognize. I didn't realize how much I struggled with my body image or with the idea of trusting someone. Also, I have emotions! Dad always called me the ice man growing up. I hated showing emotions. Since coming out I'm crying during those damn ASPCA commercials.

We see you have kids (they’re so cute!), how did they take it? The kids grasped most of what was happening much quicker than I expected. In spite of the fact that I was changing the makeup of their home and completely flipping over much of the moral structure that I had taught them and espoused my whole life, they were quick to see the reality of the choice I had to make. They are so sincere in how they see people that they were able to see past the opposition they were hearing from other sources and recognize the happiness and contentedness I was experiencing by being me. There are still times they feel conflicted and confused by the opposing viewpoints in their lives, but the majority of the time is spent simply being active little kids. They absolutely love Alex and the new home we've created together. Our community has grown to replace what was lost and the future is exciting. 

Who is your biggest inspiration and why? This is something that jumps around but at the moment I would have to say Dr. Maya Angelou. "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" was a crutch when I was coming out. When she said, "there is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you", I cried. Here was this deeply religious and spiritual person that was not ashamed to be herself and excelled at it. She was a person who really lived her life and was still compassionate and loving- I want to be that. 

Feature Friday with Matt Jones

Hey y'all! TGIF because only three more days until Christmas! What do you have planned for the holidays? We are hosting Christmas this year and it will be the first one back in this house for Thomas' family in 9 years. We plan on staying up late, eating Christmas fettuccine, and drinking lots of wine with the family.

We were able to relate so much to this week's Feature Friday. He loves design, dogs, and has a thing for goal setting. AND! His Instagram is filled with tons of coffee mugs and cute dog pictures, so be sure to check it out! More on Matt Jones below...

Where are you from? I grew up in Odessa, Texas.

Where do you currently live? I am a senior at Texas A&M University and live in College Station, TX. I graduate in May and plan on moving somewhere else… just don’t know where exactly.

What’s your Instagram handle? @FieldAndLane

Age? 21

 Relationship Status? Single… dad? Haha. To my 8 month old Goldendoodle Marmaduke of course.

What is something you think people should know about you? I have always been a nerd when it comes to houses. The construction process, the design, the finishes, the furnishings… anything and everything basically. I’m getting my degree in Business with minors in Creative Studies and Art & Architectural History with plans to get my real estate license in the coming year. Eventually I want to get in to home renovations and staging… and have my own TV show. I know, I know…  a far-fetched dream. But even one of my business professors yelled out to me on the last day of class, “Don’t forget me when you have your own home TV show!”

Choose a song for the story of your life: This is a tough one. I’m one of those guys that listen to anything and everything. Spotify is my jam. If I had to name a couple, these are at the top on my current playlist: Congratulations- Post Malone, Don’t Let It Get You Down- Johnnyswim, Rock and Roll- Castro, Bad at Love- Halsey. I know… I’m all over the place.

What is one thing you would tell your younger self right now? “Keep your head up, set goals, be yourself, go for it, push the limits, do what everyone says is impossible. You’re going to go through some low times, but the end is so much greater than you can imagine.”

How would you describe your home décor style? Oh man, farmhouse, modern farmhouse, minimal, sort of modern-rustic? I live in a small, 623 sq.ft. Studio apartment and everything I have I either built myself or bought at estate sales. I love contrast and clean lines, but still warm and inviting- not too modern but not too farmhouse.

Any big plans for the future? Where do you see yourself in 10 years?  Big plans, big plans…. Of course I have big plans. 10 years from now I see myself renovating homes and putting my eye for design to work, most likely owning my own business, and…. having a TV show. I mean why not dream big, right?  

Tell us your favorite quote and why: “The truth is that most people never start because they don’t want to be seen starting at the bottom. Don’t be most people.”

This is my current favorite quote because I know I’m going to have to work to achieve my goals. I’m going to wake up one morning and have everything handed to me- even though that would be nice. I know I’m going to have to start at the bottom and work my way to the top. Not only will I know I worked to get there, but I’ll know that I earned every bit of it. Ask, believe, receive.

What is one thing still left on your bucket list? Most people would say they would want to “travel the world” or “vacation to some far away place,” but one thing that is yet to be marked off on my bucket list is to go skydiving.

 How old were you when you first came out and what was your experience like? I came out when I was 20, so just about a year ago. It was rough to say the least, but it has let me realize who I truly am and whom I don’t want in my life. Overall, coming out has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. I have made so many new friends, experienced the world from a different view, and have a new lease on life. 

Have you faced any backlash or hardships since coming out? Yes and no. There are obviously going to be people that won’t accept you, but the group of people who do accept you and love you for who you are is SO much greater. It’s going to be hard for a while, and I knew that, but once you’re past that point the world is a new place.

Feature Friday with Marcus Powers (ft. Steven Kibodeaux)

Happy Friday! It's been way too long since we have posted a FF and we are truly sorry about that! We know a few of you have asked why we stopped posting these and the truth is, we just got super busy in the last few months. But we are back with a brand new one this week and we think you're going to love learning more about Marcus and Steven like we have.

Marcus has a hilarious sense of humor, has a thing for Beyonce, and gets pretty real about his and Marcus' early days when money was tight. We found his responses to be inspiring and honest, two things the world could use more of right now! Take a look and see what we mean...

Where are you from? 
That's a long answer. As a child of a pastor, we moved around a lot. I was born in Fort Worth, but we moved to Lakeland, Florida, shortly after I was born. We also lived in Oklahoma and various parts of Texas throughout my childhood. Normally I just tell people Dallas. Steven’s answer is easy: Pasadena, Texas, just outside of Houston, born and raised. His parents still live in the same house he grew up in.

Where do you live? 
Houston, Texas (home to the World Series champs and, more importantly, Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter). 

What’s your Instagram handle? 
@marcusleepowers and @spkibodeaux

Relationship Status? 
Partnered. Taken. Booed up.

How long have you guys been together? 
We’ve been together five years and counting.

How did you guys meet and where?
Our story is a tale as old as time… just kidding, we met on Grindr. We met in person for the first time in April 2012, but apparently we “met” on Grindr once before that a few months before. (Steven remembers that; I don’t.) I messaged him because his profile photo showed a lot of chest hair and he was super cute. We talked to each other on the app on a Friday, text messaged each other through the weekend, and met up for dinner on Monday night. Steven was in nursing school. We didn’t officially start dating until July 20, 2012, even though we spent practically every day together.

Choose a movie title for the story of your relationship:
Bring It On. Mostly because we were both pretty hesitant to start a relationship (because he was in school, I was newly single) but decided to just go for it, but also because that movie is perfect.

What is something you have had to overcome as a couple?
We went back and forth when we first met over whether it was a good time for us to start a relationship. Once we decided to just jump in, things were pretty smooth sailing. But I was in journalism back then, which is not a field you get into if you want to make any kind of money. Steven was in school, working barely ten hours a week at a minimum wage job. So money was super tight. I am not exactly the best at being frugal, so there were situations where I’d overspend and Steven had to figure things out. There were plenty of weeks that we had macaroni and cheese for dinner. Looking back, I realize we were actually pretty lucky. But for a while, it was frustrating always feeling like some other big expense would come up and wipe away whatever security we had. Nowadays we both work full-time, and we are lucky enough to be able to travel quite a bit. We are always grateful for that.

Tell us about your first date! 
I worked in television news at the time. I worked 1:30 pm to 10:30 pm, with a dinner break around 6 o’clock. So that coupled with the fact that we were both broke, we decided to go to Freebird’s, a burrito place. We met up, ate our food, and talked for several hours. At this point, I knew Steven was someone special, and way out of my league. He was right at the end of his first year of nursing school, so he didn’t have a ton of free time. But I came up with any excuse to see him after that point. I wouldn’t call it love at first sight, but we were both pretty smitten from the first meeting.

How has it been being an out, gay couple? Have you faced any criticism or hardships?
Before we moved to Houston, we lived in a fairly small, conservative town in southeast Texas. But to be perfectly honest, we’ve never come up against much pushback. We now live in Houston, which is the fourth largest in America and the most diverse city in the nation. We count ourselves extremely lucky that we’ve been able to live our lives freely and without fear of consequence.

How old were you when you came out and what was your experience like? 
As I mentioned, I was the son of a pastor. I started the coming out process the summer after my freshman year of college, when I was 19. I told most of my friends, even though I was attending a pretty conservative private college. I never really told my family, because they are all fairly religious and conservative. But eventually, I just sort of stopped hiding it online, and they have all been amazingly welcoming to me and Steven. Nowadays, I’m 100% out. My family knows, I always bring up Steven in the workplace, and there’s never a time when I hide who I am. It was a long process, but it was so, so, so worth it. Steven’s story is somewhat similar, minus the religious family. He was out to friends in high school and college, but didn’t (fully) come out to his parents until after we met, around the age of 27.

Best advice for a successful relationship?
When I was thinking about ending my first relationship, which lasted almost five years, I talked to a friend about it. He had been in his relationship for a decade, and I asked him how he knew it was meant to last. He said that, at the end of the day, the person he wants to hang out with was his boyfriend (now his husband). I realized then I couldn’t say that about my boyfriend at the time, so I ended it the next day. So my advice? Be friends with your partner. Physical attraction is vitally important, but just wanting to hang out and watch stupid Hallmark holiday movies with them is just as important, if not more so.

What is the thing you love the most about each other?
We’re truly a ying-yang type of couple. I’m a bit of an introvert, Steven is definitely an extrovert. I’m fiercely loyal and have a few close friends, Steven has never met a stranger. The things I am not (but wish I was), he is. And vice versa. I love Steven because he’s got the biggest heart of anyone I know. He works as a nurse in the pediatric ICU at a major children’s hospital, and I always say that what makes him a good nurse is that he really, truly gives a damn about every single one of his patients and their families. Pediatric nursing is truly his calling, plain and simple, and it’s been so wonderful to see him grow in that career. I’m just so proud of him. But at the end of the day, he’s a kind person to everyone, and never one to judge anybody. That’s exceedingly rare. He’d probably say that thing he loves most about me is my vast, deep knowledge of early 2000s female-centric R&B music.

Feature Friday with Sean Abrams

Happy Friday! It officially feels like fall here in Tennessee which always puts us in the best moods ever. Are you the same way? Do you find yourself smiling a lot more when you see leaves falling all around and landing on the sidewalks? This time of year is always our favorite and the most magical. Well, besides Christmas, of course. 

Today's Feature Friday is a New York native and you know our feelings about NY. *Swoon*. He works in editorial so naturally, Sean is a good writer, and we think his honest answers are fearless and absolutely refreshing. Also, he's hilarious. Like, we actually LOL'd a few times. We had a lot of fun reading his responses and we think you will, too. Take a look below to see what we mean...

Where are you from? Brooklyn, NY

Where do you live? Astoria, NY

What’s your Instagram handle? @seanybrams

Age? 25

Relationship Status? Very, very single

What is something you think people should know about you? This little white, freckly Jewish boy can bust a move! A strange turn of events led me to join my dance company in college, and I've somehow managed to stick with it ever since. A passion for watching YouTube videos turned into the real thing, and it's been a central part of my life for a while. A large portion of my friends are from my current company, DanceWorksNYC, and being able to perform on stage and feel the crowd's reaction after a show is one of the best feelings in the entire world. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Choose a song for the story of your life: This landed on my "Time Capsule" Spotify playlist recently, so I'm going to go with "Since U Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson. Thinking back, I was prone to hang on to the idea of "what if" and what could've been. Basically, I was a glutton for punishment. Now, I've come to realize that I need to do what's best for myself, shaking off all that negative energy and removing people from my life that don't have my best intentions at heart. My girl Kelly says it all for me.

What is one thing you would tell your younger self right now? To grow a pair. I've always been a bit insecure, and I'm not sure if it's because I was dealing with my sexuality, but it had me acting as follower. I always aimed to please, without acknowledging that it was never for my benefit. At this point in my life, I'd want to tell my younger self to stand up for yourself. It's alright to stand tall, speak your mind, and not worry about what other people think. You're a pretty cool dude, and even if it takes a while to realize that, you'll get there.

How would you describe your home décor style? Warm. Cozy. Anything that is inviting and makes you want to stay there. I've been in my own apartment for the past 3 years, and while it's not always the cleanest (courtesy of my two straight male roommates), I try to make it seem welcoming. Decorating for the holidays, or something as small as using candles or things like that, can make a huge difference for me.

Any big plans for the future? Where do you see yourself in 10 years? 10 years is a lonnnnnng way off for me, but ideally, I'd be married... Chris Evans, I'm looking at you. I work in editorial, so I'd like to be high up in the business somewhere, whether situated at a big publication or something that has me interviewing celebrities and A-list talent. I also just got back from my first overseas trip, with a trip to Ireland booked for 2018, so I foresee a lot more travel in the future, for sure.

 Tell us your favorite quote and why: "So it goes." It's from "Slaughterhouse Five" by Kurt Vonnegut. I got it tattooed on my wrist a while back. To me, it just means "fuck it." Things happen, life can be really shitty sometimes, but there's nothing you can do. You can drag yourself and keep your head down, or you can pick yourself up and move on, and make something good out of what you have left. There's no point in wallowing in self pity. So it goes.

 What is one thing still left on your bucket list? Fall in love. Extremely cheesy, I know, but it just hasn't happened for me yet. I've gotten pretty close, but I've never been with someone that felt like it would really ever get to that feeling of absolute, totally crazy in love. I've never had a boyfriend either, and I'm in pursuit of something real at this point in my life. It's about damn time.

 How old were you when you came out and what was your experience like? I came out officially at 23. A few college friends knew of me fooling around with guys back when I was around 21, telling them I was bisexual, but it was in 2015 that I came out of the closet for real. I remember feeling like I was going to vomit, pacing around my room for what felt like an eternity. Only my mom was home at the time, and I came out of my room, telling her I was heading up to SUNY Oneonta (where I went to college) for the weekend. I had found myself hooking up with a friend who was a year younger (and in the closet), repeatedly going up to visit him at least once a month. Naturally, my mom was curious why I made so many trips, and I decided to tell her the real reason. Her reaction was exactly as I expected: She asked why I hadn't told her sooner, that she already knew, and she loved me no matter what. She asked if I wanted to tell my dad or if she could, with me telling her I'd like to do it. Naturally, she told him... and the rest of my immediate family. Their reactions were all very similar, and I'm extremely thankful for how accepting everyone was to my coming out.

 Have you faced any backlash or hardships since coming out? I haven't felt any backlash necessarily, but I feel like it did take me a while to immerse myself in gay culture and find a comfortable place in the gay community. I've always considered myself a late bloomer in terms of coming out, kind of putting up a front and slightly frowning upon things I actually was eager to take part in. I also never really found myself with a lot of gay friends, others who had direct, very similar interests to my own. Over the last few years, I've really put in an effort to change that and truly embrace who I am and everything the LGBT culture has to offer. I've got to say, it's pretty great to be gay.

Who is your inspiration (either fictional or real) and who do you look up to the most? I'm really inspired by men in the media who've come out publicly. People I can relate to, like Colton Haynes, really inspire me to speak out and be proud of who I am. Everyone's situation is unique, but I can only imagine what is going through your mind when you're in the public eye like that. I had the opportunity to meet Gus Kenworthy, the Olympic athlete who came out publicly on ESPN Magazine, and it was probably the best interview I've ever done. I'd just come out only a few months before, and it was the first real conversation I felt like I was having. He got it. He understood. He related to every single thing I'd gone through. It was surreal to be sitting across from someone like him, and it's something I'll never forget. He was just a normal guy. Albeit, he's also insanely good looking, but he's also just a normal guy who happens to be gay. I can bet what he did has helped so many others bust out of the closet too. It's people like Gus and Colton, among so many others, that inspire me.

Feature Friday with Jeff Pillar & Giang Le

Happy Friday the 13th everyone! What do you have planned this weekend? We are going to be deep cleaning the house and editing some videos and we are looking forward to the down time. It's been a hectic week, but it's been a lot of fun. We posted our coming out story as well as the story of how we met, and you guys have left the most heartfelt and sincere comments. Also, we've been getting a bunch of messages from you guys about your coming out stories and we are in the process of responding to them, so thank you for your patience!

This week's Feature Friday is a beautiful one. Jeff and Giang gave us all the feels when they describe what they love most about each other. You can feel the love coming through the words and we think you guys will fall for their words, too. See what we mean below...

Where are you from?  Jeff: New Jersey, Giang: Connecticut

Where do you live?  Philadelphia, PA

What’s your Instagram handle?  Jeff: jsp483, Giang: giang315

How long have y’all been together and how did you two meet? Who asked out who?  Jeff: We celebrated 8 years together in July.  We met online in 2009, when I lived in Philadelphia and Giang lived in NYC.  I suggested Giang come down one weekend to visit me and go to the beach.  That was two weeks after we first started talking. (My favorite picture is posted here from that day at the beach).

Choose a song for the story of your relationship:  “Opposites Attract” by Paula Abdul.  So many lines are spot on! “You like the movies, and I like TV.  I take things serious and you take ‘em light.  [You] go to bed early and I party all night…[]he makes the bed, and []he steals the covers.  []he likes it neat, and he makes a mess. I take it easy, baby I get obsessed.”

What is your favorite thing about each other? Jeff: My favorite thing about Giang is how uncontaminated he is by drama.  Many people thrive on drama.  Others have a way of finding themselves caught up in drama.  Giang is impervious to drama.  This is one of the main reasons we almost never fight, since there is never drama that is straining or stressing our relationship.  Giang: Physically, my favorite thing about Jeff is when we cuddle and he squeezes me in a bear hug so hard that I can't breathe for two seconds. He does this to me several times a day. Personally, my favorite thing about Jeff is his authenticity. He doesn't hide the fact that he isn't hip and cool, and up to date with all the social flavors of the day. It gives me a lot of ammunition for teasing him. I remember when Adele became big. We were in the car, and he asked me who "A Deli" was. He wasn't kidding. He likes his old school music, music he grew up listening to with his parents. He prides himself on being a contrarian and an iconoclast, sometimes to my frustration, but it's a character trait that I deeply admire. He doesn't try to hide the fact that he's a nerd, and a history buff. He doesn't like being out of his comfort zone and he does little to hide it. We recently came back from a two week family vacation to southeast Asia, and his comfort zone was certainly tested...food, culture, weather, everything. While I laughed and teased him about it, he made no effort to change the way he is. If Jeff likes you, you'll know it. If he doesn't like you, you'll know it. There is no fake smile with Jeff. I say all this to try and convey how authentic he is. He is who he is and does not hide any of it. He embraces the way he is almost as much as he would a gallon of ice cream. Oh that's the other thing I love about him, his love for ice cream. He can go through two gallons of ice cream in one sitting.

How would you describe your home décor style? Giang: Modern and minimalist.  I am an architect, and take the lead when it comes to furnishings and décor.  Jeff happens to have very similar tastes, so it’s a good match.  We both like glass, white, and clean lines. 

Any big plans for the future? Where do you see yourselves in 10 years?  Around 10 years from now we will probably sell our home in South Philly (which we just bought 11 months ago).  With 10 years of homeownership experience (and with our student loans finally paid off!), we hope to work on our own projects.  Jeff is happy in his career as the COO of a consulting company, and Giang has his own budding career as an architect.  We hope to combine our expertise and turn it into a new career, or at least an expansive hobby.  Just as long as we do it together! 

What is your favorite memory together?  Our favorite memory together was the day we rode bikes through San Francisco and across the Golden Gate Bridge, in September 2014.  It was the most perfect day, weather-wise, and it was just the two of us, all day.  We had lobster rolls for lunch, a delicious chocolate chip cookie in Sausalito, and Italian for dinner after taking the ferry back past Alcatraz.  Close runner up would be Jeff’s 33rd birthday in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

What is one thing still left on your bucket list?  We both want to be self-employed.  Achieving this will give us the freedom to fulfill all of the other bucket list items (Australia, Mykonos, finishing the Internet).

How old were you when you came out and what was your experience like?  Jeff: I was 23, in between college and law school.  I told my best friend first.  Next, I told my mom, one day while driving to the store together.  She had realized it years ago, and reacted by noting that patio furniture was on sale at Home Depot.  I would be hard-pressed to think of a truly bad experience.  My parents, siblings, friends and extended family did not care that I was gay.  It should be this way for every person coming out.  Giang: I came out when I was 24, after I was done with college and grad school. My coming out experience was one filled with lots of love and support. I came out first to my sister, then all my close friends, and then finally my parents. I struggled to speak when I came out to my sister, making her think that I was trying to tell her I had a terminal illness and was going to die. When I finally got the words out, she continued to cry but as a result of happiness and relief that it wasn't "bad news." All of my close friends were completely supportive, so I could not have asked for anything more. I told my mom before I told my dad. My mom cried for a few days, but my dad told me that I'm his son and that I needed to be me and do whatever made me happy. In hindsight, my only regret about coming out was not doing it sooner.

Have you faced any backlash or hardships as a couple?  Jeff: We really haven’t.  During our time together, we’ve lived in Philadelphia and NYC, so not exactly the Bible Belt.  Giang: The only hardships we really face are self-inflicted, as a result of our differing personalities. Jeff's a homebody, while I like to be out and about. Jeff doesn't consume alcohol, while I enjoy spending time with friends having a drink or two. Jeff likes the beach, while I like the city. We make it work. Or perhaps, that's WHY our relationship works.

What is one piece of advice you would give to others on how to make a relationship last?  Jeff: Avoid fights, as there is rarely a good reason to have one, and no one ever feels good about it afterward.  Oh, and our super-duper secret to success: we do not judge what each other eats. Giang: I think the key is to always make sure our own identities shine. Once one person tries to change another person into something they're not or something they don't want to be, that's when the relationship fails. Also, buy him lots of ice cream. Also, agree that Giang is always right. Humor is extremely important. Make sure you make each othother laugh every day. 

Feature Friday with Sydney Hamon

Happy Friday, y'all! Man, are we glad it's Friday. This week has been a crazy, difficult, sad week hasn't it? We took a small break from social media after the Vegas shootings because something just feels off about posting in times like these, at least to us. Our hearts are breaking and we are in total disbelief. But, here are some ways to help.

This week's Feature Friday is a special one, as she is very close to our hearts. We're featuring Thomas' younger sister Sydney (who you may remember was on our show Down to the Studs) on this beautiful Friday and we couldn't be more excited. We think you'll find her responses relatable and hilarious, and that's just the kind of person she is in real life, too. She always tells it like it is and doesn't hold back when it comes to honesty, which we find refreshing. Thank you for agreeing to be featured this week, Syd! We love you! 

Where are you from? Cleveland, TN

Where do you live? Cleveland, TN

What’s your Instagram handle? sydney_claire18

Age? 23

Relationship Status? Engaged to Mary Allison Hughes 

What’s your favorite place you’ve ever visited and why? My favorite place I’ve ever visited would probably be upstate New York at my Uncle Tommy’s house. I don’t really like traveling and there are not many places I would choose to go twice, except for New York, probably because it is just like Cleveland except with better weather. I realize this makes me sound like the most boring human being but it is really the most relaxing, peaceful place. The weather in the summertime is mostly sunny and 75 with a light breeze and at nighttime it gets chilly enough to wear a sweatshirt. As someone who owns over 20 sweatshirts (I counted once), sweatshirt weather is important.

Choose a song for the story of your life: A song that I would choose for the story of my life is That Don’t Impress Me Much by Shania Twain because nothing impresses me. Just kidding.  I think it’s extremely difficult to find one song for my life because I have a million favorite songs, but one of the first songs that popped into my head, and again I don’t know if its just the time period in my life right now that is making me think of this, but still one of my favorites is Head Full of Doubt/ Road Full of Promise by the Avett Brothers. I first heard this song when I was 17 at a church related function called SEARCH. At the time the words really spoke to me. I was a junior in high school and attempting to get over my first “love”, I had stopped playing basketball (my real first love), my mom had just been let go from her job, and I was needing God and Hope in the worst way. So listening to this song, along with 50 other kids my age, in a room desperate for any type of guidance or encouragement, I found that what I was feeling and dealing with was not so uncommon and that I wouldn’t feel like this forever. 

What is your proudest accomplishment? I feel like I haven’t lived long enough or really done anything to have a greatest accomplishment. I have a college degree and have succeeded in a few things here and there but I guess so far in my life I would say one of my proudest moments was being able to take two of my nieces to one of my college classes. They sat through the whole hour and listened and took notes. (They were 9 and 10 at the time). One of my nieces even raised her hand in class to answer a question, without any inhibition whatsoever. She spoke with a clear voice and so much confidence in herself and her answer. I could not have been more proud.

How old were you when you came out and what was your experience like? I was 20 years old when I came out. I had known I was attracted to women since I was in the fifth grade, which honestly was when I started noticing boys and girls in the first place. My experience coming out was not very difficult because my brother (Thomas) had already come out and so being gay in my family was no big deal.  But for some reason, even though I knew my family was accepting, there is always that small ounce of fear about telling people who you really are. I had felt like my family knew every single inch of me, except for that one tiny baby part that I had been hiding for years.  I never thought I would come out. I had always seen myself being with a man and marrying a man and having children with a man. I knew I was attracted to women, but whenever I would daydream about a family, I always saw myself with a man. Until I met Alice.  I had never imagined meeting someone who I felt would be worth coming out for. Which seems crazy because why not do it for myself? I think that’s when I knew I loved her. To make a decision to let my world see the real me because she was more than worth it. The first person to know was Thomas of course, and then I had the conversation with my mom which went like this:

Me: Hey mom

Mom: Yes?

Me: Do you like Alice?

Mom: Yes…

Mom: Do YOU like Alice?

Me: Yes…

And that was it. My mother then revealed to me she had known since I was in the 8th grade when she read my diary because “ it was just laying out”. 

How would you describe your home décor style? I would say I steal my style from the boys (Thomas and Pj). I like to have a relaxed look. I want something very cozy and it to feel like home. Growing up with Thomas we were always painting rooms really awful, loud colors. I think now that we are older we have done a complete 180 and definitely stick to more neutral colors. No more red dining rooms and yellow staircase walls.

What movie can you watch over and over again? Favorite quote from that movie? One of my favorite movies of all time and one that I will absolutely never get tired of is Steel Magnolias. I watched it for the first time with my sister in Atlanta when I was 12 I think? I laugh and cry every time I watch it. I still don’t think Thomas has watched it all the way through.. so he needs to get on that. One my favorite lines from the movie is “ I’m not crazy, I’ve just been in a very bad mood for 40 years!” My favorite character is Ouiser Boudreaux because of how sarcastic and negative she is. Obviously I feel a connection there.

Are you in love? Tell us about it: Well I would hope I was in love if I’m engaged! I was hooked from the first time I saw her. Everything about her made me want to know her more. She was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. I remember driving to Chattanooga just to bring her lunch and see her for 5 minutes because she even knew I had a crush on her. I literally lied and told her I was in Chattanooga already when really I had absolutely no life and would do anything to see her, even if it was for a second. She was always the first person in my prayers at night. When I met her she was with someone else and I didn’t think I had any type of chance. I was the complete opposite of the person she had been dating the last 4 years. Every night I would pray and ask God that even if she wasn’t the one for me, to please keep her safe and happy with whoever she would be with. Oops she ended up with me :).

What is something you wished you would have known when you were younger? I don’t really have any regrets in my life and I know that everything had to happen the way it did for me to be who I am now, but one thing I really wish I would have known when I was younger is that real love will never make you feel like less than who you are. I guess what I mean by that is, the person who I thought was my first love never brought real joy to my life. I can only remember sadness with small glimpses of happiness. I thought I would never get over that person. Obviously this was not real love. I wish I could smack myself in the face and make myself realize that, but I had to go through that to understand how real love is supposed to feel.

What is something that has happened in your life that has made you a stronger person? I have dealt with depression and anxiety for more than half of my life. I have felt sad, alone, empty, afraid, angry, and so many other emotions. Growing up I never understood why my stomach would hurt before I went to school or why it got to the point where I would lie to my mother about being sick so I wouldn’t have to go.  I didn’t realize that my fear was turning into a physical pain. My mother forced me to speak with a therapist my freshman year of high school. I wanted nothing to do with it.  Those meetings changed my life. I finally was able to realize why I was feeling what I was feeling and how to make myself feel better. I have had many points in my life so far where my anxiety and depression have reached their peak, but there have definitely been more good days than bad.  I feel that because I’ve wrestled with this in my life, I can understand other people’s pain more easily. 

Who is your biggest inspiration and why? I think everyone’s first and biggest inspiration is either their mother or father. When I was little I would say I wanted to be like my mom, but not completely like her cause she smoked cigarettes. My mom still has not stopped smoking, but that hasn’t changed my desire to be like her. She drives me insane most of the time, but let's face it, almost everyone does, but she is still my model for life. She is the definition of a woman. Strong, beautiful, intelligent, giving, courageous, caring, kindhearted, compassionate, motivating, a literal force to be reckoned with. When people talk about my mother, they speak about her in such high regard. Many people have come across her and almost all have remembered one thing about her. She has been burned into all of their memories yet she can't remember a darn thing.  She is the most amazing woman I have ever known, for so many reasons longer than this blog will tell :P

Feature Friday with Kelcey Bridger & Janelle Azevedo

Can you believe it's already Friday?! TGIF y'all! We've had the busiest last few weeks that we can remember since the show and it's not slowing down any time soon. We have a couple of fun collaborations coming up that we can't wait to tell y'all about. But for now...

We are ecstatic about this week's Feature Friday because it's slightly different than what you're probably used to seeing on here. Based on their answers, Kelcey and Janelle have such an adorable story, one that is somewhat bittersweet, but is nonetheless inspiring and real. It's one that we're sure a lot of people can find similarities with their own story, which is comforting because it makes you realize that maybe we're not so alone after all. Take a look and see what we mean below:

Where are you from? Kelcey: Originally Chowchilla, California. Moved to Holdenville Oklahoma in 2009. Janelle: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Where do you live? We live together in Tulsa, Oklahoma

What’s your Instagram handle? Kelcey:@kelcey_kay, Janelle:@janelleazevedo

Age: Kelcey: 24 Janelle: 22

Relationship status: Dating. 

How long have you guys been together? 2 years

How did you guys meet and where? We met online. I (Kelcey) was working a summer job in a small town next to Ardmore, where Janelle was living for the summer on an internship for school. we connected and we were dating a month later!

Choose a movie title for the story of your relationship: The Lucky One 

What is something you have had to overcome as a couple? When we started dating we lived three hours apart. We met during a summer where we both lived out of town and when the summer ended and we went back to our schools we did the long distance thing for a year before we had to make a decision, one of us had to move or it wasn’t going to work. So I (Kelcey) moved to where Janelle was and found a school to finish my degree at and we ended up moving in together 6 months later. 

Tell us about your first date! Our first date was actually a movie night in! We spent the day building a fort built out pillows, blankets and kitchen chairs and binged watched Orange is the new black.

How would you describe your home décor style? Minimalist with industrial influences. 

What is one thing still left on your bucket list? Janelle: own a motorcycle. Kelcey: own everything at Target. 

How old were you when you came out and what was your experience like? Janelle: when I was 20 I actually got (metaphorically) backed into a cornerin a doctors office when I was being tested for mono with my very religious mom in the room who kept asking questions about who I was kissing. I tried to brush it off as much as I could but I had to tell her it was my girlfriend and she told my family. In the beginning my family took it really hard and i felt really awkward around them for a while, but I also was so happy with Kelcey I started telling everyone else and things have gotten much better since!

Kelcey: When I was 18 my parents found a text from my girlfriend at the time, who they knew as my best friend, and they took that very hard. Growing up in a small town and having a children’s pastor as a mother didn’t cushion that situation at all. I lost all of the people I considered friends at the time and really just had to start everything from scratch. When I met Janelle and we started dating I just slowly became ok with who I am and we learned to grow in who we were together. My family still isn’t ok or doesn’t support it but we’re all learning how to move forward with it and I’m hoping for the best. 

Best advice for staying together? We think the three things that keep us strongest together and that we would gladly hand out as advice is make each other a priority, have strong communication, and don’t get too comfortable. Janelle and I both do our best to work hard at what we both do but when we come home or go out and do something that we are the priority.We are focused on each other and the time we need to grow our relationship. With that we also think that openly and honestly communicating with each other is so important. Last, Living together and being around each other a lot can make us kind of forget to continue to pursue each other and we get comfortable in our routines, so we make an extra effort to not get too comfortable and always pursue each other. 

What is the thing you love the most about each other? Kelcey: The thing I love most about Janelle is her heart. She has a heart that strives to be as Christ like as possible and I absolutely adore that. She pushes me everyday to challenge myself and to never be comfortable in my walk with God. 

Janelle, you have made my life better in every way possible. You have helped me grow and honestly see and love the person I am today. I adore you and you adored by a loving and gracious God and I am so thankful he loves me enough to bless me with you.

Janelle: Among many things, the thing I love most about Kelcey is how much she cares about people and how effortlessly she can make someone feel important. She has this confidence in who she is that lights up a room and attracts people to her. She inspires me in many ways to be better every day.

Feature Friday with Justin Carlo

Happy Friday y'all! We got back late last night from our beach vacation and we feel rested and rejuvenated to tackle this weekend. We have an exciting opportunity that we will be traveling to Nashville for and we can't wait to tell y'all about it! Should be able to share it next week.

Today's Feature Friday is so much fun because his story is one that we think a lot of people can relate to. Justin has a way with words and we found ourselves nodding our heads a lot in agreement with what he had to say. Also, Meryl Streep. And wait until you read who is inspiration is- you might just find that it's you! Take a look below to see what we mean...

Where are you from? Pittsburgh, PA

Where do you live? Los Angeles, CA

What’s your Instagram handle? @justinmcarlo

Age: 28

Relationship Status: Single

What is your favorite place you have ever travelled to and why? Melbourne, Australia - I ended up living there for six months with a couple friends. It’s just such an amazing city to be in. The food is incredible, it’s extremely bike friendly, there are parks everywhere, I was able to try something or go somewhere new every day.

Choose a song for the story of your life: I really want to make the joke of saying that “Boys” song by Charli XCX, but I’ve been on a Disney music kick lately, and I have to go with “How Far I’ll Go” from Moana.

What is your proudest accomplishment? I’d say my proudest accomplishment is each time I’ve moved to a new city. Growing up in a small town I didn’t think I’d ever be able to go anywhere else. I’ve now moved to, and lived on my own in half a dozen major cities. It’s always made me very proud to stand on my own two feet, and to pay my own rent!

How would you describe your home décor style? Minimalist. I’m a big fan of clean spaces with no clutter or knick knacks, unless it has sentimental family value, or something from my travels. I’ve moved around a lot in the last few years, so I haven’t really accumulated many possessions. I’m just now starting to have my own things and to be able to decorate. Probably shouldn’t admit this, but I actually have yet to even get a real bed, air mattress living isn’t so bad though!

What movie can you watch over and over again and not get tired of? This is an odd one, but I have to say, August: Osage County. It’s a pretty dark movie, but I love the writing and performances. It’s gritty, but there is some comedy thrown in there too. It’s the kind of writing I hope to do one day. Also, Meryl Streep.

What is something you wish you would’ve known when you were younger? That being gay is okay! It wasn’t something that was ever talked about when I was younger, and you didn’t see it in mainstream television, film, or music. I was terrified that my friends would hate me, and my family would disown me, but the exact opposite happened. I thought I wouldn’t be able to have the career I wanted if I were gay, but now that’s why I want the career that I do. I want to write movies with queer characters, that tell queer stories. I want stories like that to have more exposure, so more people see them, and less people have the fears that I did when I was younger.

What is one thing still left on your bucket list? My ultimate bucket list goal is to run a marathon on all seven continents. Yes, even Antartica. Right now I’ve got two down (North America, Australia), and five to go.

How old were you when you came out and what was your experience like? 25. I don’t just mean I was 25 when I told everyone, I was 25 when I was finally able to tell myself. I struggled with it for as long as I can remember up until then. I was even dating a guy for about a year before coming out. We called it “secret boyfriends”. It sounds immature, but in the back of my head, I thought I’d keep doing that until the right girl came along to change things. Right after that relationship ended, I met another guy that completely caught me off guard with how much I liked him, unfortunately that didn’t work out either and I was devastated. That’s when I realized I wasn’t just going through some phase, and the right girl wasn’t coming. I was finally able to accept that was who I am, and that was what I wanted. Then over the next year or so, I came out to all of my close friends and family. It was an overwhelmingly positive experience; I couldn’t have asked for better reactions from my friends. It’s taken my parents some time to accept, but I’m trying to give them the space to do so on their own terms, just as I had to do myself. Now I’m proud to be a gay man, and I can’t believe it took me as long as it did to accept myself, but I’m glad to have had the initial coming out experience that I did.

What have you learned about yourself in your coming out process? That I’m much stronger of a person than I ever thought I was. I was always so shy and scared of everything growing up and throughout high school. Coming out has made me more confident, more independent, and more sure of who I am, and who I want to be.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why? Right now, it’s anyone in the LGBTQ community who is outspoken about themselves. Whether it’s someone attending a march or protest for equality, or someone like Lena Waithe giving an awesome acceptance speech at the Emmys, or a gay couple posting a YouTube video or Instagram post about their lives together, or just simply someone showing up for a pride event, covered in rainbow or not. I’m inspired by anyone who is proud to be unapologetically themselves.

Feature Friday with Wyatt Stark & Cody Schmitz

Happy Friday everyone! What are y'all up to this weekend? We have a guest from out of town coming to stay with us for the weekend and we have a couple of things planned to do while she's here. It's supposed to be back up in the 80's and sunny all weekend, so needless to say we are welcoming the next few days with open arms. 

Friday around here also means it's time for FEATURE FRIDAY, and this week we are featuring another inspiring couple who know how to have fun with each other while looking completely adorable together. We found their words touching (especially the last question) and we are so excited to share their story with you this week. Take a look and see what we mean:

Where are you from? Wyatt (left) is from Fort Scott, Kansas. Cody is from Concordia, Kansas.

Where do you live? Kansas City, MO.

What’s your Instagram handle? Wyatt: @wyatt.stark Cody: @_codygene

How long have y’all been together and how did you two meet? Who asked out who? We have been together for eight months. We first met through Instagram; Cody’s profile showed up as a suggested follow on my feed. I always thought Cody was so cute, but I was too nervous to follow. With the help of my friends, I built up enough courage to follow Cody, and he followed back immediately! 

Choose a song for the story of your relationship: 1234 by Feist.

What is your favorite thing about each other? Wyatt: My favorite thing about Cody is his patience. He has seen me at my worst and has been patient enough to sit with me through hard times. I also love his sense of humor. I’ve never met someone that I can laugh so much with.

Cody: I love how silly Wyatt is! He doesn’t show his goofy side to everyone, so I feel very lucky to get to laugh so hard with him every single day.

How would you describe your home décor style? We love midcentury modern design as well as Japanese Zen! All about opening the interior with big windows, high ceilings, minimal clutter, and lots of light!

Any big plans for the future? Where do you see yourselves in 10 years? Wyatt: I see myself living in a city and still running everyday. I also love baking, and would love to discover the ins and outs of owning and operating my own bakery. 

Cody: I will continue to write and make films! I hope to be a published author and produce visual work that inspires me.

 What is your favorite memory together? We saw our favorite band, a Korean pop group called Twice, in concert. That was so special! 

What is one thing still left on your bucket list? To meet Twice in person!

How old were you when you came out and what was your experience like? Wyatt: I came out when I was 19. I wasn’t sure what my peers would think, because I attend a private Christian university, but those who know me have been very supportive. Coming out has helped me grow to know and love myself for who I really am. My life was changed for the better.

Cody: I came out when I was 20. Before that I was open with only a few close friends. But after learning about what had happened at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, I felt that those brave lives needed to always be remembered through strength and love, not more fear and hate. Now, I learn so much about my community and social issues every single day. Coming out has made me a more empathetic, vulnerable, and open person. I am so thankful for it!

Have you faced any backlash or hardships as a couple? We have heard our share of incendiary comments when we have gone out in public, but the majority of voices are so loving and supportive that it has become much easier to focus on the good. We are so lucky to be starting our relationship in a time when preconceived notions are changing every day.

What is one piece of advice you would give to others on how to make a relationship last? Always make the kindest assumption about one another in every situation. Check the stories you are telling yourself to see if they’re true, and then really listen to one another with empathy!

Feature Friday with Josh Scoles

TGIF everyone! We've been looking forward to this weekend for weeks now because tomorrow, Saturday Sept 9th, is the event we are emceeing: Arts for CARES! We are so excited to be a part of this event to help spread awareness for HIV and HIV-related illnesses. It starts at 7p and goes until 10p. Tickets are $120 and there will be performances, light hors d'oeuvres served, and an open bar. We hope to see y'all there!

This Feature Friday we are highlighting a jet-setting, "at-home chef" who has some pretty inspiring words. Reading these responses has us itching to travel and we hope to be able to say we've been to as many countries as Josh has one day! Take a look below to see what we mean...

Where are you from? Patterson, California

Where do you live? Orange County, California

What’s your Instagram handle? @joshscoles

Age? 28

Relationship Status? Single

What is something you think people should know about you? I was raised in a very small town in central California. I was fortunate enough to spend my early twenties living in France, Japan, Canada and on a cruise ship before moving back to California for work. Self proclaimed foodie, and at-home chef with a passion for whiskey.

 Choose a song for the story of your life: This is a hard one. I'm not sure I could pick one song to sum up the entire story of my life. Here are some songs that are definitely on the soundtrack to my life though: My Hometown- Bruce Springsteen/Every Little Thing She Does is Magic- The Police/Stay (Wasting Time)- Dave Matthews Band/Good Time - Owl City & Carly Rae Jepsen

What is one thing you would tell your younger self right now? "You have absolutely no idea where your talents and ambitions will take you. Persist, and become the best you can be, and you will find rewards in that alone."

How would you describe your home décor style? Mid-Century Modern. I love clean lines, light walls, and a room that is accessorized with personal belongings and items that have a story or meaning behind them.

Any big plans for the future? Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Continuing to do my best and challenge myself. Although I set goals and milestones, I like for my path to unfold before me. I've learned in the past that life is full of forks in the road, and you rarely see them coming. In 10 years I hope to be someplace where I am settled, thriving and surrounded by love.

Tell us your favorite quote and why: "There's the whole world at your feet."- Bert, Mary Poppins. I have found inspiration from this quote many times. It reminds me that we each have the opportunity to learn, grow, and pursue our dreams.

What is one thing still left on your bucket list? I would love to do a cross-country road trip through the US. I lived abroad for three years and was able to do some amazing traveling, but now I'd like to see more of my own country and all it has to offer!

How old were you when you came out and what was your experience like? I never really had the typical coming out "moment". Most people found out as time went on, but I'm positive that many people knew before I even realized it myself, which made the process a bit easier.

Have you faced any backlash or hardships since coming out? I have been incredibly lucky to be surrounded by the most loving and encouraging family, friends and work environments. Any hardships I may have faced are simply from life, not my sexuality. Surrounding yourself with a caring and kind community of people is key.

Who is your inspiration (either fictional or real) and who do you look up to the most? Everyday I find inspiration from my parents. They have taught me so much over my life, and lead by example in everything they do. I've seen them be strong, powerful, kind, logical and at times vulnerable. Those are qualities that I find outstanding and strive for.

Feature Friday with Evan Bossio

TGIF everyone! As promised, today is the start of our new segment, Feature Friday! Each Friday we're featuring one of y'all on here telling us more about yourself. We love the idea of you guys sharing your story, not just with us, but with everyone, so that we can all connect and feel a little closer no matter how near or far we live.

Our first Feature Friday is with Evan Bossio! We loved getting to know him and we think you will too ;) So without further ado...

Where are you from? I'm from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Where do you live? I still live in Philly, but in two weeks I will be moving to Madrid, Spain where I'll be teaching English for a year! 

What’s your Instagram handle? evan.tyler

Age? (optional) 22

Relationship Status? Single

What’s your favorite place you’ve ever visited and why? My favorite place I've ever visited is Patagonia, Argentina. I spent a semester studying abroad in Buenos Aires and during a mid-semester break I embarked on a journey with some friends to the southern province. There was no way we could see all of the region in such a short time, but we witnessed the most incredible landscapes, mountains, and glaciers. The Perito Moreno glacier is in El Calafate in Patagonia and it's an absolute must-see. The glacier is incredibly massive, and sits with a beautiful backdrop of snow-capped mountains. I was entirely speechless when I saw it and I didn't look away for the entirety of our visit. Pieces of ice would fall off and make a crashing sound like nothing I've heard before. I have been dying to go back.

 If money weren’t an option, what would be the first thing you would do?I have two answers here: Firstly, I would make it so that every child had access to a quality education. Our world has such a large and widening gap in both the access to, and quality of education. The ability to learn and grow alongside peers, internationally, should be a universal right. 

Also, I would spend my entire life traveling, spending each month or year in a different country getting to know the culture, meeting new people, and seeing the sites. Most importantly, I wouldn't go anywhere without food in my hands. Like... anywhere. I would literally eat my way through every country. Maybe I'd even start one of those food Instagrams that are popping up everywhere. It would have to be creative and have a theme, like Lorde's onion ring account. 

Choose a movie title for the story of your life: Catch Me if You Can

What is the oldest thing in your refrigerator? Ranch dip... yikes.

What is your favorite quote? A classic from Nelson Mandela, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." This quote means so much to me and is always in the back of my mind as I look toward a career in international education. I want to help bridge long-lasting cultural divides between peoples by way of progressive education. We are all so much more similar than we think and once we realize that, our differences will eventually seem obsolete. 

What is one thing still left on your bucket list? I have a lot still on my bucket list, but at the top is skydiving in the Swiss Alps. I'm Europe-bound, so it could happen pretty soon! This is the first time I'm writing out the words and my heart is racing just thinking about it. One time I did one of those free-fall, bungee "rides" on the boardwalk and I legitimately cried so... we'll see how it goes! 

How would you describe your home décor style? Simplicity is key. I really like neutral colors for sofas, bedding, etc., and dark furniture with harder edges. Right now my bedding is tan, brown, and a soft, light blue (it's also the softest duvet known to man). For decorations or accessories, I typically use lots of pictures of friends and family in dark frames, some flowers or succulents, and vintage lamps. I also always have a map of the world on the wall. Overall, perhaps my home décor style is a mixture of traditional and modern? 

Describe your perfect date night: Okay, the date starts in a dog park and we're surrounded by dogs, mostly pugs. They all want to play with us because we're the most fun guys in the park. After a few minutes of playing with the dogs (realistically a couple hours), we leave for dinner. Ideally we would eat at a Mexican restaurant, some place in the city where we can sit outside that has the freshest ingredients and homemade everything. We eat our tacos and sip sangria until the sun sets and then depart for, wait for it, more food. We stop to get ice cream, homemade of course, and sit on a bench overlooking the water. The sky is totally clear and we're just far away enough from the buildings and lights to be able to see the stars. We'd tell each other stories and he would laugh so hard that suddenly I feel like the funniest guy he's ever met... which is so far from the truth. Anyway, he'd walk me home and say good night and I'd go inside and watch 6 episodes of Parks and Recreation before falling asleep (preferably with him by my side). 

Totally haven't put any thought into this.

Who is the last person who inspired you and why? The last person who inspired me, and quite frankly the person who inspires me the most, is my younger brother Austin. He is constantly faced with difficult situations and tackles them with outstanding poise. I was not nearly as mature and thoughtful as he is at 18. He did the bravest thing and took a semester off from college, something I never even thought possible, regardless of how I was doing academically or mentally. Austin taught me that vulnerability makes us human, and admitting that you're struggling should be encouraged, not shamed. He returned to school with a newfound confidence and energy that I hope to also carry with me on my next adventure.