A Date With Freedom

The day ended on the patio, with a glass of Bright Cellars Merlot…a crisp flavor sits on my tongue as the auspicious date of friends glows in the darkness. The perfect crystal glass needed with a magnificent wine to commemorate the day that will live in all our memories for a lifetime. Our lives were changed in the company of friends, this memorable Merlot, to cap off a day of tasting freedom for the first time.

The year before, it was decided we would pick the people, the place and the spot where our friend would experience the Denver Gay Pride Parade for the first time. It is one of the most complete LGBTQ experiences in the country, and it would occur minutes away from our home. Everything must be the right time and spot. We would sit where the parade turned for optimum viewing, and the right beginning to this very important day. Not one piece of this experience would go undetermined. Everything needed to be planned just right.

A loud knock at the door, “Come on in! The door is open!” Lori was greeted with cheer, hugs and excitement. The celebration was ready to begin.

That evening we dined on a grilled steak and asparagus with a Caesar salad coupled with the Bright Cellars Merlot. We wanted Lori to try our favorite wine as a welcome dinner of friends and our dogs Max and Mattie. We savored our time together, and spoke of childhood stories that Lori and Elaine shared with laughter and raucous stage plays of time on the farm.

The next morning we heard Lori rustling outside our bedroom door. We called to her and she burst into the room.

“What do I wear, and will we be filmed?” A childhood friend was nervous as we planned her first experience that would change her life forever. She jumped on our bed to begin the discussion of the reason for her trip….her excitement was palpable. And, the possibility of meeting someone new also swirled in possibility.

The day was beautiful as we awakened to blue sky and a warm breeze that cradled us as we awakened. Only wisps of clouds in the sky as we planned the perfect day. Lori was my partner’s best friend from a very small town in Pennsylvania. She herself left in her 20’s knowing that freedom comes when you break through common fears of being seen as “different.”

“Had I not left, I knew I wouldn’t survive. I needed to feel free to choose, free to breathe and free to live.” Elaine knew her heart and mind, and she always wanted each important moment to be commemorated with the perfect meal and the perfect wine. Whether in a small rural town or in a large progressive city, we can recreate our feelings of freedom and specialness. She knew exactly the right steps to make this date for Lori one to remember and experience again and again.

We had purchased tickets to sit in stands that were perfectly set, at as the parade made a turn to the festivities in Congress Park. There were young men dancing, girls on bikes and the queen and king sitting on their throne on a fabulous float covered in all colors of the rainbow. Mothers celebrated their LGBTQ children as they marched and waved to the crowd. There were people dressed in colorful garb throwing candy and squirting cool water from giant water pistols. It was a magical day.

We invited a couple of single friends, so that Lori could hear and see what it feels like to live in the open. She immediately shared her mind and heart to a more free way of living in the world. There is always fear in “coming out” in a small town, no matter where you live. She was longing to feel the freedom to enjoy her life. One particular friend seemed interested, and Lori was transformed in the majesty of the moment. Who knows where this might lead.

As tears streamed down her face I put my hand on her shoulder. “Are you okay? Did we say or do something to hurt your feelings?” Elaine had worked so hard to make this day special, and I wanted to be sure nothing interrupted her amazing experience.

“I am not sad, I am the most joyful I have ever felt in my life! I had no idea what this experience would mean for me. I can’t tell you how happy I am in this moment.” We knew instantly that our master plan was fully transforming Elaine’s dear friend from cocoon into butterfly.

Going along with this tailored “Coming Out” day, we came home to a party we created to finish this perfect celebration. Lori told Elaine everything had been perfect from the moment she arrived. She was overwhelmed by the friendliness and welcome she felt with our friends.

We opened Lori’s now favorite new wine, Bright Cellars Merlot and toasted the new Lori. A gift bag included various gifts purchased at the LGBTQ activities following the event, and the party went on for several hours. She put the trinkets and shirt on and we had a glorious time reminiscing the past two days.

As we finished the evening, Elaine gave Lori one last gift. It was a bottle of the Bright Cellars Merlot to take home and a membership to Bright Cellars. “Never ever forget, Lori,” said Elaine, “when you open your Merlot and pour it into your favorite wine glass, you can reclaim your sense of freedom no matter where you are. Sip the wine and drink in all of the wonderful feelings, experiences and glorious flavor of the day. You are always welcome here.”

Lori was changed, never to feel so alone or different again. She knew in every moment it was up to her to decide what freedom can mean in an otherwise bland sense-of-self. We raised a glass once more knowing she would have the memories every time she poured that glorious burgundy elixir of delight.