WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE SCARY MOVIE?

Anthony’s introductory message to me was a question — what’s my favorite horror movie? I wondered if he was a critical film buff or genuinely interested. With some hesitancy, I mentioned Parasite and Get Out. Thankfully for me, he considered them to be within the genre instead of being stuffy about it!

“I’m seriously considering bleaching my hair, plz talk me out of it.”

— Anthony, January 9th 2021 @ 4:45pm

“If it has any bearing, I’m not attracted to blonds.”

— Dina @ 4:51pm

“Very good to know, very compelling”

— Anthony @ 4:52pm

—

We’re a pandemic couple.

We met virtually, before vaccines were made available. All it took was our dating app to crash once before we exchanged numbers. Within days, we were video calling once a week.

Anthony came into my life at a very difficult time. My Khalo Sami was hospitalized with COVID-19, and Anthony witnessed me at my lowest when he passed. Before ever meeting me in person, he found a copy of the SF Chronicle that contained a two-page spread about my uncle. It was his first gift to me, presented on our first in-person date once he and my parents were fully vaccinated and I had my first. He drove out from Oakland to where I was staying at the time in Folsom with my parents.

I knew he was special.