Isaac, Ron and Bill

Isaac (my brother), me and Bill (my spouse) - September 23, 2012

The photo above was taken by my good friend Mark Himes of "Our Simple Lives....".  The photo was taken last Sunday, at about 4:30 pm at my brother Isaac's home (our former family home) on Hopewell Road in East Brandywine Township, four miles north of Downingtown, Pennsylvania.

I had just attended my 53rd high school reunion (Downingtown High School Class of 1959.)  Mark took pictures of at our reunion for me.  Bill wouldn't attend the reunion with me, to my great disappointment.  He still feels uncomfortable attending such a function in his role as my partner/spouse of 48 years.  He refused to go in spite of my pleas that "no one cares!"  Some of my classmates have met him one on one and liked him.  In fact, everyone likes Bill when they meet him.  I used to get a little jealous about that fact because sometimes it seems they like him MORE than they like me.  But I've gotten over that tinge of jealousy over the years.  At least I think I have.

So last Sunday, after the reunion, Mark brought me back to my brother Isaac's home so he could transfer the 518 photos he took to my flash drive so I could take them home with me.  While there I asked Mark to take a few photos of me, Bill and Isaac.  Who knows, at our age we may never see each other again.

Ike, Ron and Bill

Happy Anniversary

Ron and Bill 1965 - Pennsauken, New Jersey (after I moved into Bill's apartment)

On this summer day in 1964, at a gay bar on the corner of 15th and Spruce Streets in Philadelphia, PA I met Bill, my life partner.

Today we celebrate our 46th anniversary.  Since same sex couple are not allowed to marry in this country, most of us count as our anniversary the day we met.  Thus, July 3, 1964 is the date of our anniversary.

Bill and Ron July 2010 Milton, DE (our friend Bob C.'s backyard)

Perhaps someday in our lifetime we can officially get married.   Perhaps.  But for now I rejoice in the fact that I have been able to live the past forty six years of my life with this wonderful man who has always treated me like a prince.

Happy anniversary Bill.  I love you!

Bill and Ron 1964 Pennsauken, New Jersey (Bill's apartment)

Ron and Bill 1974 at our home on Naudain Street in Philadelphia, PA

Ron and Bill 1978 Downingtown, PA (at my parent's house)

Bill in Provincetown, Mass.. 1979 (he didn't want to be there)

Bill and Hamburger and Sparky in backyard of Naudain Street home 1976

Barbara and Bill 2009 at Covington Chase, DE

Jane, Bill and Barbara Covington Chase, DE 2009

The two old men - Bill and me at Home Depot - our second home 2010 - Domestic Bliss