Love at first
site: Steven Klapow

Steven Klapow (pictured at right), 37 Residence: White Plains, N.Y. Relationship status: partnered, with Paul

My partner, Paul, and I met online almost nine years ago. We e-mailed for a few weeks, spoke on the phone just once, and agreed to meet the night after our first phone chat.

I'd already met a number of people online but found the experiences disappointing. This time, I decided, there would be no rushing home after work to do any predate primping. After all, what was the point? What sense did it make to spend the energy and time on a date that probably would be as disappointing as the others?

Much to my surprise the date was a dream. But it almost didn't happen: I'd already been stood up enough times in bars and restaurants that I made it a rule to always meet outside first. Twenty minutes after our date was to begin, I was still waiting for him. I finally decided to go home, and when I walked past the front window of the coffeehouse someone opened the front door and yelled to me, "Steven?"

We've been living together for several years now, and once same-sex marriage is recognized in New York State, we're taking the leap.