Mar 08, 2011 5:53 AM GMT
I was in San Diego this week staying at the HI Hostel Downtown in the Gaslight District. He was in the bunk across from me. Tobias is from Germany and is complete hotness. He's my height, wears my same shoe size, he's a bit bigger than me because he boxes, kickboxes, weightlifts and such. He has an incredible intellect and charismatic spirit, and we were both talking for hours about "leadership", "leadership development", "trust", and other topics. Like me, he's an "old soul". His intense eye contact is much like mine. There were many moments when we were just silent, yet communicating. On a whim, I cancelled my airline ticket and we drove up to San Francisco together.
During our first conversation, he told me about his girlfriend in Germany. During other conversations he also talked about her, and I was able to share my experience on how he can make his relationship more meaningful. We also talked about the differences between gay guys, straight guys, straight girls and how we all relate together.
We stopped in Los Angeles so that I could have a chat with his friend, who recently found out he is HIV positive, so that I could share my experience, strength, and hope of surviving and thriving with HIV for 26 years, surviving domestic abuse, and surviving other ills of our community. Tobi and I did some good work yesterday.
Upon arriving in San Francisco, he slept in my bed last night. I slept on the floor.
I've always hoped to meet a man who is my equal. This man, who is young enough to be my son, and he is my intellectual, spiritual, emotional, and physical equal. But, we're a generation apart, and he's straight.
At one point in the conversation, I remarked how I have male friends, both gay and straight, with whom I have a strong physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual attraction. But, because my friend is either partnered or straight, I can be satisfied with the friendship and not be tempted to go for more and ruin a good thing. Tobi smiled and gave me a hug.
I have no regrets about the time we shared. Nor any allusions that our friendship can be anything more. I'm simply grateful to have met a new and enlightened friend.
I'm just pouring out my soul in gratitude.
During our first conversation, he told me about his girlfriend in Germany. During other conversations he also talked about her, and I was able to share my experience on how he can make his relationship more meaningful. We also talked about the differences between gay guys, straight guys, straight girls and how we all relate together.
We stopped in Los Angeles so that I could have a chat with his friend, who recently found out he is HIV positive, so that I could share my experience, strength, and hope of surviving and thriving with HIV for 26 years, surviving domestic abuse, and surviving other ills of our community. Tobi and I did some good work yesterday.
Upon arriving in San Francisco, he slept in my bed last night. I slept on the floor.
I've always hoped to meet a man who is my equal. This man, who is young enough to be my son, and he is my intellectual, spiritual, emotional, and physical equal. But, we're a generation apart, and he's straight.
At one point in the conversation, I remarked how I have male friends, both gay and straight, with whom I have a strong physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual attraction. But, because my friend is either partnered or straight, I can be satisfied with the friendship and not be tempted to go for more and ruin a good thing. Tobi smiled and gave me a hug.
I have no regrets about the time we shared. Nor any allusions that our friendship can be anything more. I'm simply grateful to have met a new and enlightened friend.
I'm just pouring out my soul in gratitude.
I wish you many happy and enriching years with your friend 
