Category Archives: Friends & Family

Our Friend’s Relationships Are Not Our Own

I sat with my friends in college talking about our dating lives. We discussed how we hoped we’d actually like whoever was lucky enough to date our friend – approve of them. After all, if our friends are our true soulmates, then shouldn’t we approve of who they end up with? But as my friends’Continue reading “Our Friend’s Relationships Are Not Our Own”

5 Years Out as Gay – Beyond a 17 Years Old’s Love

Five years later, I think how awed, at points disappointed and overall proud a younger Jarryd would be of what’s transpired since then. If I could tell him what I know five years later, it would be…

I Didn’t Want to Go Back to New York

Standing with my friends in Atlanta, I didn’t know what happened to the last six months of my life. It seems like I was just here, but in reality, everything had changed in these past months, which seem like longer. I looked at them contemplating never going back to New York, because my body wasContinue reading “I Didn’t Want to Go Back to New York”

I haven’t had a real relationship. That scares me.

I remember one time I sat alone with my maternal grandmother and asked her who was the great love of her life. She told me she doesn’t have one. I pressed for more information, and she explained that there were men she thought were the great loves of her life in the moment, but theyContinue reading “I haven’t had a real relationship. That scares me.”

23 in the Headlights

When we’re younger our minds start to protect us before we know how to. I mentally guarded myself from the world, even family. I needed these invisible bars around me. The world seemed scary and harsh; family felt trite; friendship felt fleeting; love difficult. Without knowing it, I needed the ability to define the world aroundContinue reading “23 in the Headlights”

Sitting at the Table

I told myself a couple of months ago, you just have to do better. This is what 2015 is about for you. Last week for the first time I felt back in center with one-part of who I am by working on this. Amongst my list of aspirational strides, I knew I simply needed toContinue reading “Sitting at the Table”

Back to Yesterday

I thought about today so many times. The day my first love would get married. Throughout college as I came to truly embrace my sexuality and date, I didn’t know when gay marriage would become a focal point for my home state, but I knew one day it would happen. \While same-sex marriage was obviouslyContinue reading “Back to Yesterday”

I’ll miss you, Mrs. Harvilchuck

It’s rare that we know when our last moment with someone will be before they pass away. On Christmas Eve I learned that my all-time favorite teacher Lucia Harvilchuck was at a local Hospice. I knew I had to see her while in town, because of her effect on me in addition to countless others.Continue reading “I’ll miss you, Mrs. Harvilchuck”

If I Could Give You One Feeling

If I could give you one feeling right now, it would be peace – the peace of knowing you are stronger than you believe. Whether it’s dating, your job or simply life, the confidence and courage to be vulnerable and rise to the occasion are within you. You’ll miss him. You’ll dread work. You’ll feelContinue reading “If I Could Give You One Feeling”

Alone in a New City

It’s not per say being alone in a new city that makes you feel alone. It’s the feeling you left a life behind that was yours. I spend a lot of time outside of work catching up with friends on their latest happenings, updating friends and answering the question, how is Atlanta? For the firstContinue reading “Alone in a New City”