Caron and I met in 1994. We were introduced to each other through a mutual friend who thought we should work together. Caron owned a successful Indie Record Label based in Dallas and I had recently returned from singing overseas as part of a USO tour.

I was immediately attracted to her, but felt like she SURELY must be older than I and way out of my league due to her owning a business, owning a house, having a real job (she was only two years older than me).

We saw each other randomly for the next few years. We were both in relationships and therefore kept our distance from each other because the attraction was palpable.

Years later, after those relationship faltered, we ran into each other again and began dating in 1999.

I was singing at night and recording a CD at Last Beat, a studio owned by Caron, when the then singer for Caron's band had a meltdown, so I stepped in and began touring with Caron's band, Astrogin.

It was great because we got to be together all of the time. Caron joined my band and I joined hers.

Caron had told me in 1999 that she had a five-year plan to move to Maui. I had hoped she would forget about said plan as I loved visiting Maui, but I could not imagine singing in hotels for tourists. I was afraid I would be bored. Where would I shop? Where would I hang out and drink? What would fill my days? Who would listen to my ramblings?

After the events of September 11, 2001, everything changed for me.

I understood the brevity of life and importance of fully living each moment. I got on board with the plan to relocate to Maui and I know that decision is the single best decision we ever made as a couple.

It changed both our lives.

We left our consumer-driven, fast-paced, Dallas lives behind.

I don’t care that the only place to shop is Costco. What could I possibly need? I don’t need a bar to have drinks in; I have wonderful friends and we have lovely dinner parties.

Moving to Maui gave us sight. We were able to see the world a different way. We were able to see what had always been in front of us. Life. Health. Nature. Simplicity

Caron and I became legally married on April 10, 2010, in Washington, D.C., after being together for nearly 11 years. It is a very odd thing to sign a marriage license and list your age as 43.

It just seems like the sort of thing you sign in your 20’s or 30’s but I can’t complain too much ... who would have thought legal marriage was possible in our lifetimes?

For that, we are so grateful. Marriage only made things better for us. Caron was always my “One.” The only person I will ever love like this. She is a far better person than I can ever hope to be. The kindest heart. A heart like no other.

We had tried to make it a quickie marriage. I planned it in three weeks' time, because after what happened with Propostion 8 in California, we thought we should take advantage in case the window closed for gay marriage in Washington, D.C.

I did not plan a reception. There were no invitations to the wedding. We tried to keep the whole event as simple as possible. There were only six attendees at our ceremony on the Potomac River.

Fortunately for us, our Maui 'ohana and our Dallas 'ohana were having none of that. A small reception was orchestrated by our friends in Dallas and it was a beautiful garden party.

Our Maui 'ohana, on the other hand, put together a formal, catered affair that only two Gay Men (Michael Waddell and Llevellyn Lightsey) and a perfectionist Japanese Lady and her husband (Yasko and Pierre Langeron) could have even dreamt up.

The boys transformed their living room into The Ritz Carlton. All of the furniture was removed and replaced with white tables and chairs wrapped in pink bows. The house was every bit as beautiful and formal as a “real” wedding reception.

Yasko mailed formal invitations to the event and catered it. Other friends provided a wedding cake. It was a true affair. One that I never thought I would be the center of. I had spent so many years feeling left out of marriage and the celebrations that go with it. I always felt like an outsider regarding marriage and all of its traditions.

They recognized, honored and celebrated our marriage.

Their support made it all the more powerful and legitimate and important.

We know how blessed we are.

Not only to have each other and live in such a beautiful place, but to have our friends. They are a part of what makes us who we are. •