Dear Friend,

I’m sharing my story with you this Valentine’s Day to inspire $5,000 in donations, which will allow Immigration Equality to transform the lives of LGBTQ immigrant families. Just like they transformed ours.

Since the first day I met my wife, Cecily, we’ve been inseparable.  

We fell in love when she was in a U.S. Navy training program, visiting St. Maarten on vacation. At the time, she was awaiting active duty deployment in Japan, so after she left, I feared I would never see her again.  

It’s dangerous to be a lesbian in St. Maarten, and it’s illegal for us to marry there. I had few options for reuniting with Cecily in the U.S. before it was too late. Desperate to see her, I called Immigration Equality for help.  

They gave us free legal services, advocated fiercely for us to be together, and succeeded! I made it to the U.S. in time to start my life with Cecily before she was deployed. I can't imagine my life without her, and I don't want any immigrant to fear being separated from their loved ones. Will you help me bring queer immigrant families together by making a Valentine's Day gift to Immigration Equality?

Fast forward to five years later, and we have a beautiful two-year-old daughter, Adaliza. She’s the other love of my life and keeps me going when Cecily is out at sea.  

We stay close even with the distance by video chatting with each other. She’s currently in Italy, but this Valentine’s Day, we’ll have a virtual date. I’ll stay up until 3am so we can eat together at the same time. The things we do for love!

Join me in celebrating love, immigrants, and the LGBTQ community. Give a Valentine's Day gift with deep meaning today: imeq.org/valentinesday