How I Proposed Through Song: Our Perfect Engagement

Marriage is special in every way, right down to the proposal. Various couples have extraordinary tales to tell of how they proposed when the moment was just right. As a gay American, I cannot get legally married but I can engage in a civil union which is just as good. I don't need a piece of paper to declare my love for someone. Gay couples do the same things as straight couples; they engage, they marry, and they reside together.

About a month ago was the perfect timing for Justin and I. We had spent a few years together as friends before becoming a couple. We knew that it just felt right. Our common interests keep us sharing special moments, and our differences teach each other new things. Over the years we have traveled across the country, enjoying vacations and business trips together.

Justin and I both come from a musical family. My grandmother and her sister both played piano while my uncle plays guitar and bass. My father also plays guitar. Justin's mom grew up singing and does background vocals for demo tracks. So naturally we both have the musical gene in us. We evolved into songwriters as we grew older, writing since I was about 12 years old myself.

After the years have passed being companions with Justin, I thought maybe it was time to move forward with our lives since we had invested so much into our relationship to make it flourish. We had been living together for roughly 8 months and seen each other at our worst. Through the bouts of sickness, injuries, through throwing up after a night out at the bar to having to take Imodium AD after eating something that wont settle well, we've taken care of each other without hesitation. This was it. No one has ever accepted me for who I am, for what I've done, and what I plan to do.