Page 114 of Husband of the Year
My mother takes a step back, eyes bulging, and then I see the reference register.
“I may have made him watchFunny Girla few times,” I say.
With Greggie in tow, Sarah takes her spot near Sheldon while Olan and I make the rounds, giving hugs to our friends.
“Congratulations,” Kent says, standing with Vincent. “You two make a very handsome couple.”
Vincent snaps one of my suspenders. “Aren’t you glad our SWISH date was a disaster?”
He hugs me, and there’s a genuine warmth as we embrace.
“But it wasn’t,” I say, pulling back. “I found a dear friend.”
Ruth stands. “And now you’re stuck with him,” she says. She’s wearing a crimson dress shirt, and her braids are adorned with blue beads, matching the flowers on the table. “And us.”
“Thank you for coming,” Olan says, hugging her and then Regina. “And thanks for being there when I was in Chicago. I appreciate it.”
“Olan, Auntie Ruth’s got you.” She kisses his cheek and his sheepish smile hints he’s blushing.
“Mazel tov to you both,” Regina says. “The only thing I love more than a wedding is a queer wedding.”
“Hear! Hear!” Ruth shouts.
Theo stands, holding his blue-tinted mocktail high. “Cheers to queers!”
With everyone shouting “cheers,” we make our way to our seats.
Nick, handing Maria to Jill, catches my arm before we sit.
“Olavin. My boys. You did it. Sadly, now we can’t run away together, Marvin.” He pats my arm and gives me a peck on the cheek.
“Oh, great. Now I’m stuck with him,” Jill calls from her seat.
“Really. I couldn’t be happier for you guys.” Nick pulls Olan and me into a giant huddle.
The table is adorned with blue roses, matching the boutonnieres Olan provided. There are candles and blue and silver confetti sprinkled over the white linens.
“Sheldon, you outdid yourself,” I say.
“Hey, you can’t have a party without a little glitter.” He reaches into his pocket and tosses more confetti in the air.
“My Sheldon loves his sparkles.” Theo wraps his arm around Sheldon, pulling him in for a kiss on the top of the head.
The waitstaff bring salads for everyone, but before we begin, Jill returns Maria to Nick, stands, and clinks her glass.
“Best woman speech incoming.” She claps her spoon against the glass so hard, I worry she’ll break it. Which would actually be on-brand for her.
The room quiets, and Jill continues.
“Marvin, from the moment I saw you and Olan together, I knew. Like how you know about a good avocado. Sure, like everyone else, I was taken aback by the hot dad in the school office—sorry, honey, but hot dads are a crown jewel for us teachers. Why do you think I love you so much?”
Nick kisses the top of Maria’s head, and she grabs at his chin.
“But I knew this wasn’t only physical. Olan, you bring something out in my friend—something special, something I don’t even think he knew was there. For all his insecurities, you’ve helped him love himself. And as RuPaul says, ‘If you can’t love yourself, how the hell you gonna love someone else?’ ”
Sheldon raises both hands to the ceiling and shouts, “Amen!”
“Marvin,” Jill continues, “you finally learned to love yourself enough to receive love from someone else. And not just anyone. Olan. Who’s kind, loving, a great parent, friend, and looks amazing in gray sweatpants—or at least that’s what I’m told.”
