What's next?..

Jen is one of the strongest certainties I’ve ever felt. She is defiantly my best friend, and my true other half. We met back in 2002 and ever since then we hit it off. I feel we’re just one of those couples who were meant to be together. Recently, everything just seems to be going perfect. We were on a rollercoaster for some time but everything finally fell into place, in which I’m blessed. Throughout our journey I’ve learned a lot about myself and a lot about dating. I’ve learned your sexuality is only a fraction of the many things that make you. Being “gay” or loving a woman does not define me. Overtime, I came to realize Jen and I were two individuals in love and no one could change that. It’s been 8 years together and at times I sit and question my life. What’s next? I want a wedding and a family! I mean the typical “American dream” and standard way of thinking about “family” has always been consisting of a husband and wife, children, and dogs all living in a house with a white picket fence. I sometimes sit and wonder. Can I live a life like that with a woman? At times I think it’s never going to happen, and then I think about you guys. Stamie, you have made me believe that I too can one day have a family. Over the past few years, our dating has become more public to our family and friends. With the exceptions of a few, we have been lucky to have the love and support from everyone around us. When our friends see us together, they find it implausible on how long we’ve been together and how happy we still are. When we first started dating in 2002 I was embarrassed of being in love with a woman, but growing up and becoming more mature I owned up to who I have become. I became proud of my life and my love. I realized I am still the same person I was years ago, and it shouldn’t matter who I am intimate with behind closed doors. People will judge me regardless even if I was straight. The past two to three months I’ve thought about nothing but getting engaged. Jen is the only daughter in her family; her mother is exactly like Tracy’s mom on the show. You think after 8 years she’d be 100% supportive, but defiantly not. She still thinks it’s a phase, but after 8 years I think she’s just crazy. Her father is so supportive, her brothers are, and majority of her family is. It’s hard for me, I come from a family who has always had my back and supported Jen and I from day one. My mother acts like Nikki & Jill’s mothers and support it, they want me to get married. I fear nothing more but having to ask her mother’s permission to marry her daughter and her flipping out and causing a war. Her mom loves me don’t get me wrong, she doesn’t mind us a dating but the idea of an engagement or possibly one day family will drive her nuts. She wants a “normal” life for her daughter. I need some good advice. Dating is great, but I think I’m ready for the next step… We live in NYC, gay couples are everywhere! It’s not like we come from a city that is ANTI-gay. It’s normal when you see a gay couple walking the streets of New York. But, I just don’t know anymore… What do you think? Hope to hear back..
– Jess