Strangers

Last night, my brother Aaron, his boyfriend Michael and I were riding the A home from the restaurant that they work at near South Street Seaport. We got on at Broadway Nassau, and were sitting on one of the shorter benches that only has room for three people. Mikey had just returned from his Christmas/New Year's sojourn in Northern Cali the evening before, and I hadn't seen Aaron since Christmas, so the three of us were chatting and laughing up a storm. Not about anything too special - some exciting news here and there, but mainly just our usual excited jabber. Around Canal or Spring Street, a young man who had been sitting across the aisle and a little bit over from us stood up as if to leave, and then turned to us.
"I'm so sorry," he said, "I don't want to interrupt, but I just have to say that the three of you have such beautiful spirit!"
We were a little taken aback, but said thanks.
He continued, "I wasn't trying to eavesdrop, it's just that I couldn't help but be drawn in by you all. Your energy is so great. I'm working on this album, you see, and I've been doing everything I can to avoid it. And I'm sitting here on the train, trying not to think about it, and then I see the three of you...and you've really inspired me. You're like...it's like the three of you are the same person! It's really beautiful! It's like you're the same person, somehow."
"Well," I said, "They've been together for about four years, and he's my brother."
"Oh!" he said. "Well, that explains - the smile, yeah, you've got the same smile! Yeah, well, if you happen to ever see my face on an album called 'STRANGERS,' y'all will know it was you. Your spirit shines bright!"
At this point the doors opened to the West 4th St station, and he disembarked, wishing us a good night, which we wished him back.
It's strange to explain the incident like that, but especially difficult to convey just how touching it really was. I was quite moved. Those boys are two of the closest people in the world to me, and for someone else to pick up on how much we all care for one another and love being together was really special. I don't ever want to forget that.

I needed a lovely thought to end the day on, so I'm putting that out into the world.