We are Brad and Jay. We met in 2002, when Brad was 41 and Jay was 45.

We held our commitment ceremony on a beach in Maui in 2005 (we got "Maui'd") surrounded by close friends, before marriage equality was legal and then we were able to legally marry in 2013—steps in our journey that remind us how far love and advocacy can travel. Growing up, neither of us imagined marriage would be in our future, which makes our partnership, friendships, and chosen family especially precious. Travel has shaped us—meeting people of different ages, races, orientations, religions, and genders deepened our empathy and reinforced our belief that travel can cure prejudice. Whenever we're in New York, we visit The Stonewall Inn to honor those who led the fight for LGBT rights. We gratefully acknowledge the shoulders we stand on and thank those who fought so we can enjoy the rights we have today. We believe it is vital to remember how far we have come and never take for granted the efforts and perseverance of our community throughout history. The determination of decades past must continue to manifest in practice today and in the future — we aren't going back. Our wish for the future is simple: keep our stories alive, care for one another with patience and respect, and continue to make space so every generation can find welcome, dignity, and support.