We started communicating on the aptly named dating app Jack’d in early 2015 and texted back and forth intermittently for a year and a half before meeting in person. What took us so long to meet? We sort of kept missing each other. On one instance, Rob texted Jack and discovered to his surprise that Jack was 8,000 miles away conducting HIV prevention research among sex workers in Kenya. This immediately piqued Rob’s interest. More significantly, though, Jack was living all the way uptown and Rob was all the way in Brooklyn; one is not quick to embark on inter-borough dating in New York City.

We did finally meet the weekend of NYC Gay Pride. Jack was in midtown with one foot on an uptown-bound train when Rob texted that he was nearby. Jack jumped off before the train doors closed and we met for a drink on the fly.

Our connection was immediate. Jack felt Rob was fetching, witty, gentlemanly, and charming. Rob found Jack to be intriguing, attentive, perceptive, and dreamy. By the time we parted ways many hours later, we both knew that it had been no ordinary first date.

Maybe you’ve heard this joke: What does a lesbian bring to a second date? A U-Haul. What does a gay man bring to a second date…what second date? In our case, things progressed pretty much at lesbian pace. We would try to spend nights apart only for Rob to end up driving up to the Bronx or Jack taking an hour-long train ride to Brooklyn. It was just way better to be together. It still is.

As a cardiologist and a medical anthropologist we share a mutual interest in and appreciation for each other’s work and never tire of talking about myocardial infarctions, health disparities, and structural determinants. It’s not all serious at the Roswell-Tocco household, however. We make each other laugh all the time. We love taking advantage of New York’s cultural abundance, traveling together, and expanding each other’s social circles and world views. Because of Jack, Rob now has hiking shoes and does not entirely detest hiking. Because of Rob, Jack has designer Italian shoes and rather enjoys wearing them. A suitable balance, no?

 

We feel incredibly fortunate to have the love and support of our family and friends and we are delighted to celebrate our wedding with you!