“The day I decided to take myself off the dating sites, I let myself take one last message, and it was from Bill.” This is how Nathanial describes the start of this couple’s relationship two-and-a-half years ago. Their first meeting was at Starbucks, and, “[Nathaniel] just knew. There was something in his eyes and in how he kissed me.” “And, I felt the same,” Bill said. “Someone said to me, ‘don’t go looking for love, let it find you,’ and that’s our story!” 

Their first date was for pizza and a play, followed by drinks. It was over the course of the evening that both realized that they could really spend time with each other. Bill described: “We were both going through divorces after long term relationships at the time, and felt a bit defeated at not knowing if, at this stage in our lives, we’d meet “that person,” again.” But, in each other, Bill and Nathanial had, once again, experienced that connection.

On the occasion of Bill’s birthday in December, Nathaniel planned for another evening of dinner and theater, this time at Toronto’s famous Lee restaurant, followed by a performance of The Bodyguard. But before dessert was served, Bill popped the question. “I was shocked,” Nathaniel said, “I didn’t think it would happen so fast! But, it felt so right.” Bill piped in, “It felt so right for both of us.” 

When it came to deciding where to marry, Puerto Vallarta was the natural choice. Bill and 4 friends were all celebrating their 50th Birthday and brought down a Toronto Drag Queen (Miss Conception) who has now become well known in PV. Bill went on to describe PV: “as my gay Mecca.” Of his first visits, Nathaniel said: “I instantly fell in love with it: the people, the old and the new, the history and the mishmash of all of it. And, to experience it with Bill, made it magical.” 

Their love of the place “flourished” when the two bought a vacation home there, online, sight unseen! This is the power of “freedom and gay-friendly” Vallarta. When asked what made the openness of Puerto Vallarta different, they answered: “the whole place is friendly. You can walk hand-in-hand everywhere. The gay village isn’t just one part of the city. It is the whole place that wants to welcome and embrace the gay community.” 

Deciding on a wedding venue was instant. A friend of Nathaniel and Bill’s suggested Casa Karma, and on seeing it, “the tears came down my face. I just knew it was where we were meant to get married,” Nathanial said. “I instantly saw our whole wedding and our planners were so willing to help us make it possible.” The couple’s planning team, Yanina Haddad and Robert Schley, of Love Producciones and Events Mexico, or as they are most aptly called, The Wedding Dream Team, have been integral in “helping get the wedding of our dreams which has been incredible.” Their professionalism and enthusiasm has been especially meaningful given Nathaniel is a professional event planner and has been able to sit back and enjoy the planning experience. 

The connection between the couple and the planners has been very meaningful. “Yanina and Robert especially blew us away with the tasting menu. Everything was 5-star,” Nathaniel described. “It was like they knew our taste buds or… were psychic!” 

As the couple and approximately 60 guests look forward to their wedding later in the fall, Nathaniel and Bill are most excited to share the history, the food and the people of Vallarta. “And, the art… that’s one aspect I’ve been most impressed with,” Bill noted. “People are going to see a whole new facet of Puerto Vallarta, one they don’t expect. How it provides all aspects of an ultimate vacation,” Nathaniel added. But, ultimately, for Bill it will be “showing my friends and family, how open and free Mexico can be.” 

When asked what most excites them about being married, Nathaniel describes seeing Bill for the first time as husband and, though the second time around for both of them, “knowing how magical a relationship can be.” Magic that starts with giving everything one more chance.