We first connected online in a support group for students at our graduate school. Despite both spending our undergraduate years in Beijing, we hadn't crossed paths until boarding the same plane to the United States in the summer of 2007. Surrounded by mutual friends, we quickly became close friends.
After our first year of graduate school, we moved in together as roommates and became inseparable. It didn't take long for us to realize that our bond was more than just friendship. One thing led to another, and we finally found the courage to reveal our feelings for each other.
We spent six joyful years together before Justin graduated and moved to Providence in 2014. After two years of long-distance, Steven graduated too and secured a postdoc position in Boston, leading to our long-awaited reunion in New England.
We came out to our families in 2016, and it was incredibly tough for all of us. For a long time, our parents struggled to accept our sexual orientation and refused to acknowledge our relationship. Despite the heartache, we were determined to spend the rest of our lives together. In 2017, we married, even though our parents weren't there to share our happiest moment or give their blessings.
It took nearly two years for our parents to come around and finally see the love and commitment we have for each other. Those two years were challenging, but we leaned on each other and made it through, growing even closer.
Like everyone else, COVID has changed everything. Far away from family and friends, we constantly worried about the health and safety of our parents and loved ones in China. Daily video calls couldn't make up for the disconnection caused by the long distance and 12-hour time difference. Buried by work and taxed by social isolation, Justin was burned out. It was Steven's unconditional caring and support that helped Justin back up on his feet and made him see the most important thing is family and health.
We've been enjoying life in the suburbs of Boston since 2016. Living near this vibrant city offers a multitude of benefits – abundant job opportunities, top-notch education and healthcare systems, and an amazing variety of restaurants, museums, parks, beaches, and other attractions. If you can embrace the snowy winter, the weather is quite pleasant throughout the year. There are countless opportunities for outdoor activities, and we particularly love swimming and bike riding. Nothing beats feeling the cool breeze on the beach in a hot summer day.
In 2018, we purchased our own home, a spacious 4-bedroom single-family house in a friendly neighborhood. We chose this house for its ample space, perfect for our future family, and its proximity to two top-ranking schools in a highly regarded district. One of our favorite aspects of this home is its closeness to nature – it's nestled in a serene wooded area near a small pond, with flowers blooming in the spring and summer. Deers and turkeys are often spotted in our backyard, strolling across the lawn into the woods. We also love hosting friends for dinner parties and holiday gatherings, filling our home with joy and laughter.