That one big gay surprise...

That first year after coming out publicly and Jessica and I announcing our divorce, the two of us definitely went into a season of survival mode, together as friends/parents and also separately as individuals.

Our children were our first priority. Amid Covid and lockdown, we poured our energy into trying to keep them safe and healthy (both physically and mentally). And we were also mindful that all of this was happening to them amid our separation, so we both were doing the best we could to empower them with love and time and dialogue.

Partly by choice and partly because of the pandemic, I also spent that first year or so after coming out focusing on me.

I knew that I needed to get mentally and emotionally healthy. I needed to find my center. Work through the loss of connection to people I care about. I needed this for me. I needed this for my kids. I needed this for all of the people I love.

So, it wasn't until 14 months later that I started to think about dating. And that’s when I joined a few dating apps…