Socializing ... Happy Birthday, Tim!

[mrdreamjeans]

Most of you know that for the past four months my socializing has been limited. I've escaped to my friend Casey's house in Houston and made it to a couple of musicals, making the effort because there was a component where long time friends were being honored. I've spent a lot of time just holing up, hiding while things have been less than perfect. So, please forgive me for detailing the wonderful events of this weekend in Minneapolis.

Yesterday began with a drive to St Paul to attend the Covenant Ceremony for my LJ friends mncuddlecub and guyfromoz. Keith and John's ceremony was held in the chapel of the stunning Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. Gloria Dei is a reconciling church. The ceremony was simple, heartfelt, powerful, sincere. The reception was held in the church basement; there was a terrific catered Chinese feast and several kinds of ice creams with all of the fixings for dessert. Keith and John and several of their theater friends entertained and there was a lot of laughter mixed in with tears. Keith's parents are not accepting and did not attend, but he was surrounded by his family of choice. In attendance from the Bear/LJ community were bluedevilsf, nlotic, kingfridaybear, quietdanmn, gotmoof, musicbearmn, his partner Keith and me. We made up the facial hair table at the reception:) I was really thrilled to attend the festivities and thank Keith and John for including me.

Last night, perkk, gotmoof and I attended a Bear dance which was held as a fundraiser for a Gay Youth group. I estimate that there were about 250-300 bears and admirers in attendance. The music, mostly from the 70s and 80s (I refuse to refer to it as retro:), was provided by fellow LJer bismrkbear. Bruce had the joint hopping. It was fun to cut loose with a few moves, to have the opportunity to visit with many of the other friends I've made here in the Twin Cities and to see money raised for a good cause.

Today is the big social event! We're celebrating the divine bovine's 33rd birthday with a Dim Sum brunch and then will have cake and ice cream later. I expect bluedevilsf to make it. (Tim was Tim's roommate in San Francisco.) Also, perkk, his sister minnesotatoast, rebisbear, bearnight, deansota and 8 others. It's a special joy to be here for Tim's birthday and to celebrate him in style. Please join me in wishing gotmoof a very Happy Birthday!!!

Comments

[mikeybill.livejournal.com]

Really glad to hear you are having such fun - you deserve it. Your whole tone sounds lighter and happier, I hope you can keep that with you later on. Hugs.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

So do I, my friend ... So do I .... Hugs!

[gotmoof.livejournal.com]

Thanks a bunch! :-)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

You're most welcome ... bunches and bunches ...

[bearnight.livejournal.com]

Oops, bearknight is not a cute Yorkie - he's in Alaska.

Thanks for moving the event to noon so I could make it - I think it worked out better for everyone.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I corrected my mistake. I was just making you a warrior:) It was a nice day of celebration of our friend ... HUGS!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Brett!! It was wonderful ... yesterday and the week days will be restful ... Just what the doctor ordered. Big HUGS!

[teddybtoronto.livejournal.com]

First off, a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Tim!!!!

And thanks for a great post. I'm glad to see that in this time of so much attention being paid to backward thinking and churches that claim to be inclusive but are no such thing, there are churches like Gloria Dei Lutheran that offer a place to celebrate a joyous union between two loving people, and the Gay Youth group that is offering support and guidance for those struggling to accept themselves and find their way in this crazy world.

It makes me feel like there are patches of America where people haven't completely lost their way, and that basic humanity still survives.

Big hugs to you, Neil, and thanks for posting such an uplifting message.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Bob! The events of this past weekend were the impetous for the trip and served their purpose well. For the first time in months, I felt part of something positive and affirming. Now to recharge and get work. Everything will seem much more doable if I can accomplish that soon. Big HUGS!

[mischiefbear.livejournal.com]

It was a pleasure meeting you. Hope you had a great time. Looks like it from the post here. :)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I did have a great time! I was really happy to meet you too. I thought you were a class act. I can tell you take good care of your friends, are intuitive. May I friend you? HUGS!

[mischiefbear.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the compliment. But honestly, what is life without close friends who you love and can share it with?
I would be insulted if you didn't friend me *wink*

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I can tell you that without close friends you love, whom you can share with, life isn't worth living.

You're friended! HUGS!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Hmmmm .... Maybe I should track him down, knock on his door and give him a piece of my mind:) Nobody hurts my friends ... We WILL meet soon! HUGS!

[bardcat.livejournal.com]

Glad your time in Minnesota has been good. My days in Houston have been rainy, rainy, rainy. I fly home on Wednesday night. I noticed your church, Bering United Methodist Church, in your profile and looked it up on the internet. Wish I could have gone there on Sunday. My kind of church!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I had no idea that Houston was so rainy until I saw a picture posted yesterday in txwriterbear's journal. That's Houston in the Fall and Winter. Have a trip home. Next time you're in Houston, check out Bering .... Hugs!