Richard

Terry and I have had an enduring relationship for nearly 30 years. It’s had its challenges; not least the way it’s been viewed by the rest of society. An age gap. A cultural difference. Financial difficulties at times. And most of all the sheer bloody-mindedness of both parties.

But it’s now at the point where I can’t imagine a life without Richard.

Our daughters grow into wonderful well-rounded human beings, despite the flawed humanity of their dads… because of the stability of the relationship in which they’re being raised and the circle of love and care that creates.

We would all like to see marriage equality, so that our children can grow armed not only with intelligence, humour and love but a massive helping of self-esteem. That’s why it’s important to us.

Terry

When I was younger and hotter, he met Richard on a blind date, a Xmas party in fact… it was not love at first sight!

Richard thought Terry was full of himself, Terry thought Richard was younger than he and wasn’t interested in a twink on twink relationship – he was looking for a daddy, who was together and past all the bull dust.  It turned out Richard was years older!

Their friends though, thought they’d be compatible and kept throwing them together, Richard was a non-smoker and Terry was smokin’, these things were mutually attractive.

Richard cooked a lunch for Terry and their mutual friend Steve one day and although Terry didn’t look forward to it, he knew he’d have to reciprocate with a lunch.

He still wasn’t too keen on Richard, so felt it would be safe to invite him with the mutual friends to play gooseberry, so he had all four over to lunch at his petite apartment, for a simple whole baked fish, salad and blueberry pie lunch.

With a towel wrapped around him, taking a last taste sample of the pie filling before assembling it and placing it in the oven to bake: before getting into the shower to prepare for his guest’s arrival in exactly 15 minutes – Terry was surprised by a knock on the door.  It was Richard, punctual for the first and only time in their entire relationship.

Terry opened the door with a beaming smile, explaining he hadn’t yet showered and… Richard gaped, not at the semi-naked torso in front of him, but at the beaming blue teeth, lips and tongue Terry now displayed. And that craziness set up the dynamic of their dizzying, dysfunctional, drama filled 30 year relationship.  Which has been on a slow downhill slide into comfortable slippers ever since.

Well it had to get better since it was the catalyst for Terry’s coming out to his family and friends (a task Richard has still yet to achieve but will probably never manage) and the cascading chaos of acceptance that created. It resulted in the two dad family seen on the streets of Pride today.

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