Back in the mid 90s, I met Mark.  He was a friend of a friend, and he became my Fairy Godfather.  I was a young gay boy, in my 20s, fluent in gay sex, but inexperienced in gay life.  Mark kindly took me under his wing and helped.

He and I never had sex, that wasn't what our relationship was about.  But he did take me to my first gay bar in the city, he took me to my first gay strip club, he took me to Gay Film Festivals, he introduced me to other gay friends, and he took me on my first trip ever to Toronto and started my fascination with and love of that city!

Twelve years ago, reluctantly and not completely of his own volition, he moved back to Michigan where he grew up.  We kept in touch, moreso at the beginning, but drifted apart as time went on, as you do.  Even in the last few years though, we still sent birthday and Christmas cards.

He contacted me a few months ago and told me he was coming back for a visit.  he was going to be here for a little less than a week, but he was spending most of it with his friends Dave & Bill.  But last night, he came by and for a few hours, we sat here and caught up.  We walked to Waynesburger for supper and he enjoyed that.  And even though we hadn't talked in person for over a decade, it was like we had only been apart a week or two.  There was no awkward silences, just a whole bunch of catching up.  And it was a great time.

He said he hopes to get back this way again soon, maybe next August, so if he does, I'm sure I'll see him again soon.  

But somehow, I totally forgot to take a pic of him or a selfie of us!  No, I don't know how that happened either!  So I'll just put here at the bottom the pic I always used to use when talking about Mark: A photo of My Fairy Godfather!

POLT