Valpal

13 December 2008
This entry to going to be about my best and most favorite cousin in the whole entire world! Let's just say that I have always loved her a lot, but now I love her even more. She's the best!

Last weekend, I went down to Arizona with a bunch of my swimmers to a huge swim meet. While I was there, I got some sun, met an Olympian, had great fun, met up with my cousin, met her awesome boyfriend, and came out to her (this is why I love her even more now). The story behind my coming out to her was anticlimactic--I thought it would be. I have been thinking about coming out to her since I first came out, but my parents wanted to keep it on the DL with family members so I refrained myself. I finally decided that it was my decision whether or not to come out to her, not my parents, so I planned on doing it on this trip.

She picked me up for dinner and fun. We chatted in the car on the way to her boyfriend's house. We caught up on what what going on in each others lives and had a few good laughs. I met her boyfriend and we headed off to see a glass art exhibit off in the desert. Well, the exhibit didn't happen because it was already sold out--that was disappointing, but that didn't ruin the night. We then headed off to an amazing Mexican restaurant (I can't remember the name). On the way there, I told her that I was gay. She told me that she expected and that she knew because she has read my whole blog. We then chatted about everything... my past boyfriends, life, parents, future, goals, etc. It was really good and her boyfriend was really cool about the whole thing too. I am really happy that she and I are much closer now and that things are going well for the both of us.

Flash forward to this morning...

I received a text from her last night. I actually didn't get it until this morning because I was asleep--I went to bed around 9 because I had a rough day yesterday that involved spending most of the day at the hospital and getting a colonoscopy. This is what her text read:
Hey cuz. I stumbled onto an article today about a BYU art exhibit and to my surprise saw your cute face and your brother. I want to tell you how much that meant to me. When I saw those pictures I just cried. Sean, I am so proud of you. I think about you a lot and I love you so much. I'm glad we were finally able to talk.
This was such a wonderful text. I started crying this morning when I got it. It made me feel so good and loved. It makes me so happy to know that I can be so close to her. I only wish that she lived closer so that we could hang out and party. I can't wait until she comes and visits for Christmas. It is going to be a blast!

I love you Valpal! :)

PS I'm thinking about coming out to my extended family this Christmas. Does anyone have some thoughts or advice on it?

8 comments:

Abelard Enigma said...

As you mentioned - it is your decision, and yours alone.

Although, I would advise against coming out to anybody under 18 without first talking to their parents.

Why do you want to come out to extended family?

Sean said...

I guess I should give some background on the topic of why I want to come out to my family.

I have an uncle who is in everybody's business. He checks everybody's facebook and myspace regularly (looks at the pictures and conversations). He keeps talking about me behind my back to my cousins, aunts, and uncles about the possibility of me being gay. He does this while I am in the room and I hear about it from my parents and brother when I am not in the room. I am just getting sick of it. I know that my family is talking about it. They always ask me why I am not dating and why I don't have a girlfriend. I have tried to tell them it is because I don't have time and I am not really looking for marriage right now, but those answers don't satisfy them. They always want to know more. All of this just bothers me and I want it to end.

Saint Job said...

um, i'd start by punching the uncle in the face and then tell everyone.

Abelard Enigma said...

Or tell everybody - except the uncle - along with the instructions "but don't tell uncle George" :)

Kengo Biddles said...

I can understand wanting to put an end to this...your uncle sounds as nosy as a certain other person you've talked to me about.

Yeesh.

I like Abelard's suggestion, as well.

October's is good, too. It has a certain butch panache to it, too. :D

salad said...

i'm all for punching AND keeping him in the "dark". we love your guts!

Valerie Griswold said...

Sean,
I am really happy I can finally comment on your blog now that you know I read it :) Thank you so much for the beautiful entry. It has been so rewarding to read about your life and learn more about the wonderful person you are. I have always been so impressed with your dedication to the things you love, but since reading your blog and knowing the deeper parts that make up YOU, I have been truly inspired.

Through good times and tough times you have reflected on them all, with wisdom that I didn't know a 20 year old could possess. And you have found so much good in our family - things that I often overlook out of frustration. Who knows when you'll come out to the rest of the family.. it may happen one by one. But all I know is that I feel so grateful to have you as a cousin and a friend. You're doing great, Sean. I admire your ability to rise up and meet any challenge that is thrown at you.

I'm looking forward to seeing you again so soon! Together we can block the comments from said "annoying uncle" and have a blast on christmas. And I hope you know you've got a friend and confidant in AZ who is thinking of you often.

Love, the other black sheep in the family :)

Z i n j said...

In Gods eyes that Black sheep is as valued as all the others.
"How think ye? if a man have a hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 13And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray."
I'm not saying Sean went astray...but followed a different path...Nonetheless the Lord rejoiced