Heather's Story
Hi there! I’ve been a silent follower for some time now. When I saw your From Here On Out post, I felt like the time had come to break my silence and become a contributing member in your effort to open minds and hearts.
Our story starts in an airport. We were both teachers flying home for summer break. We happened to both be from Michigan but were teaching in a different state at different schools. We both gave up our seats on the flight and agreed to fly home later that day. She decided to bail and take the flight home. At the last minute I was pushed on the plane and the only open seat left was next to her. We immediately exchanged phone numbers. Over the course of the next year, she watched me get engaged to my then boyfriend. In fact, she was invited to my wedding! As time wore on that year I realized she was quickly becoming the first person I wanted to talk to with news that was good or bad. She was the person I wanted to spend my free time with, and she was the person I wanted to come home to. Needless to say, I called off my wedding. In time we both agreed to begin this journey of whatever this was that we were feeling for each other. Six months after we had agreed to be together, my ex found out about our relationship and outed us to friends. Needless to say, I quickly had to call home and come out to my family before he got ahold of them. I told everyone in my family on the same day. Ready or not, here I come! Much to my surprise I was lovingly supported and the idea of me living a life that I was comfortable and happy in made my family incredibly happy. They have had their own coming out process sharing the news with their friends, but I respect that all things take time. When I called and came out to my parents they said to me “we’ve seen you unhappy for so long, it’s so good to have the real you back!” At that moment, I knew that I was done living a life that I felt I was supposed to be living in order for others to approve and I was free to live the life that made me happy. We have been together 5 years now. Our lives are forever changed by sharing our story and living and loving out loud. |