Feature Friday with Kelcey Bridger & Janelle Azevedo

Can you believe it's already Friday?! TGIF y'all! We've had the busiest last few weeks that we can remember since the show and it's not slowing down any time soon. We have a couple of fun collaborations coming up that we can't wait to tell y'all about. But for now...

We are ecstatic about this week's Feature Friday because it's slightly different than what you're probably used to seeing on here. Based on their answers, Kelcey and Janelle have such an adorable story, one that is somewhat bittersweet, but is nonetheless inspiring and real. It's one that we're sure a lot of people can find similarities with their own story, which is comforting because it makes you realize that maybe we're not so alone after all. Take a look and see what we mean below:

Where are you from? Kelcey: Originally Chowchilla, California. Moved to Holdenville Oklahoma in 2009. Janelle: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Where do you live? We live together in Tulsa, Oklahoma

What’s your Instagram handle? Kelcey:@kelcey_kay, Janelle:@janelleazevedo

Age: Kelcey: 24 Janelle: 22

Relationship status: Dating. 

How long have you guys been together? 2 years

How did you guys meet and where? We met online. I (Kelcey) was working a summer job in a small town next to Ardmore, where Janelle was living for the summer on an internship for school. we connected and we were dating a month later!

Choose a movie title for the story of your relationship: The Lucky One 

What is something you have had to overcome as a couple? When we started dating we lived three hours apart. We met during a summer where we both lived out of town and when the summer ended and we went back to our schools we did the long distance thing for a year before we had to make a decision, one of us had to move or it wasn’t going to work. So I (Kelcey) moved to where Janelle was and found a school to finish my degree at and we ended up moving in together 6 months later. 

Tell us about your first date! Our first date was actually a movie night in! We spent the day building a fort built out pillows, blankets and kitchen chairs and binged watched Orange is the new black.

How would you describe your home décor style? Minimalist with industrial influences. 

What is one thing still left on your bucket list? Janelle: own a motorcycle. Kelcey: own everything at Target. 

How old were you when you came out and what was your experience like? Janelle: when I was 20 I actually got (metaphorically) backed into a cornerin a doctors office when I was being tested for mono with my very religious mom in the room who kept asking questions about who I was kissing. I tried to brush it off as much as I could but I had to tell her it was my girlfriend and she told my family. In the beginning my family took it really hard and i felt really awkward around them for a while, but I also was so happy with Kelcey I started telling everyone else and things have gotten much better since!

Kelcey: When I was 18 my parents found a text from my girlfriend at the time, who they knew as my best friend, and they took that very hard. Growing up in a small town and having a children’s pastor as a mother didn’t cushion that situation at all. I lost all of the people I considered friends at the time and really just had to start everything from scratch. When I met Janelle and we started dating I just slowly became ok with who I am and we learned to grow in who we were together. My family still isn’t ok or doesn’t support it but we’re all learning how to move forward with it and I’m hoping for the best. 

Best advice for staying together? We think the three things that keep us strongest together and that we would gladly hand out as advice is make each other a priority, have strong communication, and don’t get too comfortable. Janelle and I both do our best to work hard at what we both do but when we come home or go out and do something that we are the priority.We are focused on each other and the time we need to grow our relationship. With that we also think that openly and honestly communicating with each other is so important. Last, Living together and being around each other a lot can make us kind of forget to continue to pursue each other and we get comfortable in our routines, so we make an extra effort to not get too comfortable and always pursue each other. 

What is the thing you love the most about each other? Kelcey: The thing I love most about Janelle is her heart. She has a heart that strives to be as Christ like as possible and I absolutely adore that. She pushes me everyday to challenge myself and to never be comfortable in my walk with God. 

Janelle, you have made my life better in every way possible. You have helped me grow and honestly see and love the person I am today. I adore you and you adored by a loving and gracious God and I am so thankful he loves me enough to bless me with you.

Janelle: Among many things, the thing I love most about Kelcey is how much she cares about people and how effortlessly she can make someone feel important. She has this confidence in who she is that lights up a room and attracts people to her. She inspires me in many ways to be better every day.

Feature Friday with Justin Carlo

Happy Friday y'all! We got back late last night from our beach vacation and we feel rested and rejuvenated to tackle this weekend. We have an exciting opportunity that we will be traveling to Nashville for and we can't wait to tell y'all about it! Should be able to share it next week.

Today's Feature Friday is so much fun because his story is one that we think a lot of people can relate to. Justin has a way with words and we found ourselves nodding our heads a lot in agreement with what he had to say. Also, Meryl Streep. And wait until you read who is inspiration is- you might just find that it's you! Take a look below to see what we mean...

Where are you from? Pittsburgh, PA

Where do you live? Los Angeles, CA

What’s your Instagram handle? @justinmcarlo

Age: 28

Relationship Status: Single

What is your favorite place you have ever travelled to and why? Melbourne, Australia - I ended up living there for six months with a couple friends. It’s just such an amazing city to be in. The food is incredible, it’s extremely bike friendly, there are parks everywhere, I was able to try something or go somewhere new every day.

Choose a song for the story of your life: I really want to make the joke of saying that “Boys” song by Charli XCX, but I’ve been on a Disney music kick lately, and I have to go with “How Far I’ll Go” from Moana.

What is your proudest accomplishment? I’d say my proudest accomplishment is each time I’ve moved to a new city. Growing up in a small town I didn’t think I’d ever be able to go anywhere else. I’ve now moved to, and lived on my own in half a dozen major cities. It’s always made me very proud to stand on my own two feet, and to pay my own rent!

How would you describe your home décor style? Minimalist. I’m a big fan of clean spaces with no clutter or knick knacks, unless it has sentimental family value, or something from my travels. I’ve moved around a lot in the last few years, so I haven’t really accumulated many possessions. I’m just now starting to have my own things and to be able to decorate. Probably shouldn’t admit this, but I actually have yet to even get a real bed, air mattress living isn’t so bad though!

What movie can you watch over and over again and not get tired of? This is an odd one, but I have to say, August: Osage County. It’s a pretty dark movie, but I love the writing and performances. It’s gritty, but there is some comedy thrown in there too. It’s the kind of writing I hope to do one day. Also, Meryl Streep.

What is something you wish you would’ve known when you were younger? That being gay is okay! It wasn’t something that was ever talked about when I was younger, and you didn’t see it in mainstream television, film, or music. I was terrified that my friends would hate me, and my family would disown me, but the exact opposite happened. I thought I wouldn’t be able to have the career I wanted if I were gay, but now that’s why I want the career that I do. I want to write movies with queer characters, that tell queer stories. I want stories like that to have more exposure, so more people see them, and less people have the fears that I did when I was younger.

What is one thing still left on your bucket list? My ultimate bucket list goal is to run a marathon on all seven continents. Yes, even Antartica. Right now I’ve got two down (North America, Australia), and five to go.

How old were you when you came out and what was your experience like? 25. I don’t just mean I was 25 when I told everyone, I was 25 when I was finally able to tell myself. I struggled with it for as long as I can remember up until then. I was even dating a guy for about a year before coming out. We called it “secret boyfriends”. It sounds immature, but in the back of my head, I thought I’d keep doing that until the right girl came along to change things. Right after that relationship ended, I met another guy that completely caught me off guard with how much I liked him, unfortunately that didn’t work out either and I was devastated. That’s when I realized I wasn’t just going through some phase, and the right girl wasn’t coming. I was finally able to accept that was who I am, and that was what I wanted. Then over the next year or so, I came out to all of my close friends and family. It was an overwhelmingly positive experience; I couldn’t have asked for better reactions from my friends. It’s taken my parents some time to accept, but I’m trying to give them the space to do so on their own terms, just as I had to do myself. Now I’m proud to be a gay man, and I can’t believe it took me as long as it did to accept myself, but I’m glad to have had the initial coming out experience that I did.

What have you learned about yourself in your coming out process? That I’m much stronger of a person than I ever thought I was. I was always so shy and scared of everything growing up and throughout high school. Coming out has made me more confident, more independent, and more sure of who I am, and who I want to be.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why? Right now, it’s anyone in the LGBTQ community who is outspoken about themselves. Whether it’s someone attending a march or protest for equality, or someone like Lena Waithe giving an awesome acceptance speech at the Emmys, or a gay couple posting a YouTube video or Instagram post about their lives together, or just simply someone showing up for a pride event, covered in rainbow or not. I’m inspired by anyone who is proud to be unapologetically themselves.

Feature Friday with Wyatt Stark & Cody Schmitz

Happy Friday everyone! What are y'all up to this weekend? We have a guest from out of town coming to stay with us for the weekend and we have a couple of things planned to do while she's here. It's supposed to be back up in the 80's and sunny all weekend, so needless to say we are welcoming the next few days with open arms. 

Friday around here also means it's time for FEATURE FRIDAY, and this week we are featuring another inspiring couple who know how to have fun with each other while looking completely adorable together. We found their words touching (especially the last question) and we are so excited to share their story with you this week. Take a look and see what we mean:

Where are you from? Wyatt (left) is from Fort Scott, Kansas. Cody is from Concordia, Kansas.

Where do you live? Kansas City, MO.

What’s your Instagram handle? Wyatt: @wyatt.stark Cody: @_codygene

How long have y’all been together and how did you two meet? Who asked out who? We have been together for eight months. We first met through Instagram; Cody’s profile showed up as a suggested follow on my feed. I always thought Cody was so cute, but I was too nervous to follow. With the help of my friends, I built up enough courage to follow Cody, and he followed back immediately! 

Choose a song for the story of your relationship: 1234 by Feist.

What is your favorite thing about each other? Wyatt: My favorite thing about Cody is his patience. He has seen me at my worst and has been patient enough to sit with me through hard times. I also love his sense of humor. I’ve never met someone that I can laugh so much with.

Cody: I love how silly Wyatt is! He doesn’t show his goofy side to everyone, so I feel very lucky to get to laugh so hard with him every single day.

How would you describe your home décor style? We love midcentury modern design as well as Japanese Zen! All about opening the interior with big windows, high ceilings, minimal clutter, and lots of light!

Any big plans for the future? Where do you see yourselves in 10 years? Wyatt: I see myself living in a city and still running everyday. I also love baking, and would love to discover the ins and outs of owning and operating my own bakery. 

Cody: I will continue to write and make films! I hope to be a published author and produce visual work that inspires me.

 What is your favorite memory together? We saw our favorite band, a Korean pop group called Twice, in concert. That was so special! 

What is one thing still left on your bucket list? To meet Twice in person!

How old were you when you came out and what was your experience like? Wyatt: I came out when I was 19. I wasn’t sure what my peers would think, because I attend a private Christian university, but those who know me have been very supportive. Coming out has helped me grow to know and love myself for who I really am. My life was changed for the better.

Cody: I came out when I was 20. Before that I was open with only a few close friends. But after learning about what had happened at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, I felt that those brave lives needed to always be remembered through strength and love, not more fear and hate. Now, I learn so much about my community and social issues every single day. Coming out has made me a more empathetic, vulnerable, and open person. I am so thankful for it!

Have you faced any backlash or hardships as a couple? We have heard our share of incendiary comments when we have gone out in public, but the majority of voices are so loving and supportive that it has become much easier to focus on the good. We are so lucky to be starting our relationship in a time when preconceived notions are changing every day.

What is one piece of advice you would give to others on how to make a relationship last? Always make the kindest assumption about one another in every situation. Check the stories you are telling yourself to see if they’re true, and then really listen to one another with empathy!

Feature Friday with Josh Scoles

TGIF everyone! We've been looking forward to this weekend for weeks now because tomorrow, Saturday Sept 9th, is the event we are emceeing: Arts for CARES! We are so excited to be a part of this event to help spread awareness for HIV and HIV-related illnesses. It starts at 7p and goes until 10p. Tickets are $120 and there will be performances, light hors d'oeuvres served, and an open bar. We hope to see y'all there!

This Feature Friday we are highlighting a jet-setting, "at-home chef" who has some pretty inspiring words. Reading these responses has us itching to travel and we hope to be able to say we've been to as many countries as Josh has one day! Take a look below to see what we mean...

Where are you from? Patterson, California

Where do you live? Orange County, California

What’s your Instagram handle? @joshscoles

Age? 28

Relationship Status? Single

What is something you think people should know about you? I was raised in a very small town in central California. I was fortunate enough to spend my early twenties living in France, Japan, Canada and on a cruise ship before moving back to California for work. Self proclaimed foodie, and at-home chef with a passion for whiskey.

 Choose a song for the story of your life: This is a hard one. I'm not sure I could pick one song to sum up the entire story of my life. Here are some songs that are definitely on the soundtrack to my life though: My Hometown- Bruce Springsteen/Every Little Thing She Does is Magic- The Police/Stay (Wasting Time)- Dave Matthews Band/Good Time - Owl City & Carly Rae Jepsen

What is one thing you would tell your younger self right now? "You have absolutely no idea where your talents and ambitions will take you. Persist, and become the best you can be, and you will find rewards in that alone."

How would you describe your home décor style? Mid-Century Modern. I love clean lines, light walls, and a room that is accessorized with personal belongings and items that have a story or meaning behind them.

Any big plans for the future? Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Continuing to do my best and challenge myself. Although I set goals and milestones, I like for my path to unfold before me. I've learned in the past that life is full of forks in the road, and you rarely see them coming. In 10 years I hope to be someplace where I am settled, thriving and surrounded by love.

Tell us your favorite quote and why: "There's the whole world at your feet."- Bert, Mary Poppins. I have found inspiration from this quote many times. It reminds me that we each have the opportunity to learn, grow, and pursue our dreams.

What is one thing still left on your bucket list? I would love to do a cross-country road trip through the US. I lived abroad for three years and was able to do some amazing traveling, but now I'd like to see more of my own country and all it has to offer!

How old were you when you came out and what was your experience like? I never really had the typical coming out "moment". Most people found out as time went on, but I'm positive that many people knew before I even realized it myself, which made the process a bit easier.

Have you faced any backlash or hardships since coming out? I have been incredibly lucky to be surrounded by the most loving and encouraging family, friends and work environments. Any hardships I may have faced are simply from life, not my sexuality. Surrounding yourself with a caring and kind community of people is key.

Who is your inspiration (either fictional or real) and who do you look up to the most? Everyday I find inspiration from my parents. They have taught me so much over my life, and lead by example in everything they do. I've seen them be strong, powerful, kind, logical and at times vulnerable. Those are qualities that I find outstanding and strive for.

Feature Friday with Evan Bossio

TGIF everyone! As promised, today is the start of our new segment, Feature Friday! Each Friday we're featuring one of y'all on here telling us more about yourself. We love the idea of you guys sharing your story, not just with us, but with everyone, so that we can all connect and feel a little closer no matter how near or far we live.

Our first Feature Friday is with Evan Bossio! We loved getting to know him and we think you will too ;) So without further ado...

Where are you from? I'm from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Where do you live? I still live in Philly, but in two weeks I will be moving to Madrid, Spain where I'll be teaching English for a year! 

What’s your Instagram handle? evan.tyler

Age? (optional) 22

Relationship Status? Single

What’s your favorite place you’ve ever visited and why? My favorite place I've ever visited is Patagonia, Argentina. I spent a semester studying abroad in Buenos Aires and during a mid-semester break I embarked on a journey with some friends to the southern province. There was no way we could see all of the region in such a short time, but we witnessed the most incredible landscapes, mountains, and glaciers. The Perito Moreno glacier is in El Calafate in Patagonia and it's an absolute must-see. The glacier is incredibly massive, and sits with a beautiful backdrop of snow-capped mountains. I was entirely speechless when I saw it and I didn't look away for the entirety of our visit. Pieces of ice would fall off and make a crashing sound like nothing I've heard before. I have been dying to go back.

 If money weren’t an option, what would be the first thing you would do?I have two answers here: Firstly, I would make it so that every child had access to a quality education. Our world has such a large and widening gap in both the access to, and quality of education. The ability to learn and grow alongside peers, internationally, should be a universal right. 

Also, I would spend my entire life traveling, spending each month or year in a different country getting to know the culture, meeting new people, and seeing the sites. Most importantly, I wouldn't go anywhere without food in my hands. Like... anywhere. I would literally eat my way through every country. Maybe I'd even start one of those food Instagrams that are popping up everywhere. It would have to be creative and have a theme, like Lorde's onion ring account. 

Choose a movie title for the story of your life: Catch Me if You Can

What is the oldest thing in your refrigerator? Ranch dip... yikes.

What is your favorite quote? A classic from Nelson Mandela, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." This quote means so much to me and is always in the back of my mind as I look toward a career in international education. I want to help bridge long-lasting cultural divides between peoples by way of progressive education. We are all so much more similar than we think and once we realize that, our differences will eventually seem obsolete. 

What is one thing still left on your bucket list? I have a lot still on my bucket list, but at the top is skydiving in the Swiss Alps. I'm Europe-bound, so it could happen pretty soon! This is the first time I'm writing out the words and my heart is racing just thinking about it. One time I did one of those free-fall, bungee "rides" on the boardwalk and I legitimately cried so... we'll see how it goes! 

How would you describe your home décor style? Simplicity is key. I really like neutral colors for sofas, bedding, etc., and dark furniture with harder edges. Right now my bedding is tan, brown, and a soft, light blue (it's also the softest duvet known to man). For decorations or accessories, I typically use lots of pictures of friends and family in dark frames, some flowers or succulents, and vintage lamps. I also always have a map of the world on the wall. Overall, perhaps my home décor style is a mixture of traditional and modern? 

Describe your perfect date night: Okay, the date starts in a dog park and we're surrounded by dogs, mostly pugs. They all want to play with us because we're the most fun guys in the park. After a few minutes of playing with the dogs (realistically a couple hours), we leave for dinner. Ideally we would eat at a Mexican restaurant, some place in the city where we can sit outside that has the freshest ingredients and homemade everything. We eat our tacos and sip sangria until the sun sets and then depart for, wait for it, more food. We stop to get ice cream, homemade of course, and sit on a bench overlooking the water. The sky is totally clear and we're just far away enough from the buildings and lights to be able to see the stars. We'd tell each other stories and he would laugh so hard that suddenly I feel like the funniest guy he's ever met... which is so far from the truth. Anyway, he'd walk me home and say good night and I'd go inside and watch 6 episodes of Parks and Recreation before falling asleep (preferably with him by my side). 

Totally haven't put any thought into this.

Who is the last person who inspired you and why? The last person who inspired me, and quite frankly the person who inspires me the most, is my younger brother Austin. He is constantly faced with difficult situations and tackles them with outstanding poise. I was not nearly as mature and thoughtful as he is at 18. He did the bravest thing and took a semester off from college, something I never even thought possible, regardless of how I was doing academically or mentally. Austin taught me that vulnerability makes us human, and admitting that you're struggling should be encouraged, not shamed. He returned to school with a newfound confidence and energy that I hope to also carry with me on my next adventure.