When I met Marcus, I was a wreck. My whole world had been destroyed and I was barely able to drag myself out of bed in the morning. I had no idea who I was and I had no vision of a future for myself beyond surviving and being there for my son. Then by complete and utter chance, I happened to be scrolling when Marcus made a post about wanting friends. I also wanted friends and so I replied and wouldn't you know, he was up for it. I liked him pretty much immediately (who wouldnt?). Marcus is such a kind and gentle soul, he's hilarious and smart and witty and blunt and friendly. I begged him to let me drive up to meet him IRL and one day when I already had to be nearby for work he agreed! The rest is history. I am so incredibly lucky that he ever wanted to be friends, let alone my lover. I owe it entirely to him for giving me the support to allow me to heal, and grow, and hope. After my late husband died I was a complete shell of a human being. Everything I had and every sense of who I was had been built around my husbsand, so when he died I had no idea who I was or what I wanted out of life. I thought my best bet and only hope was to be a good mom and not live too long after my son grew up. I was too scared of losing everything again to even think about dreaming. But Marcus showed up and thought I was worthwhile, before he even knew what I looked like. He cared about what I had to say and still was happy to be around if I couldnt think of anything. He appreciated me for however I showed up that day. There was never any pressure or expectation, because thats just how Marcus is. He is so selfless and down to earth, in a way I've never experienced before in life. It was his love and support that gave me the warmth and space for new life to grow within my heart. Not to grow into anything in particular, but just to grow and see what happens. Into whoever I decide I want to be. And beyond that, Marcus is such a darling to those lucky to be his friends, and to his grandma, and to complete strangers. Marcus will watch a video of a 59 year old man tweaking out in a gas station and genuinely think its cute. He is able to find the beauty and appreciation in the things that most other people would ignore or outright hate. Plus he is skilled and talented, and he is a hard worker whether he will admit it or not. He doesn't give himself nearly enough credit for how wonderful he is in every sense of the word. He has such a unique view of the world, I am so lucky that I get to be around to experience it. Marcus truly is my saving grace. He has my whole heart. I hope that I can return even a quarter of the joy he brings to me just by existing.