Traveling Together for 39 Years: John and Isaac

Traveling Together 39 Years: John & Isaac

The story of John Jameson, The Advocate's former managing editor, and realtor Isaac Fast meeting each other is a "very gay cliche," they joke. It was at a dance club in Orange County, Calif., in November 1978. They even remember the name: Newport Station. The problem was "we were dating others at the time." So their first hookup would have to wait a full year, until a Sunday night beer bust at Mother Lode in Los Angeles. That's the moment -- November 11, 1979 -- that they call their anniversary. "More than 38 years later, the bar is still in operation," the joke goes, "and so are we."

This is the story of their life together as told in photos.

1980, West Hollywood: Jameson and Fast

The couple had been dating about seven months when they took this photo together at a surprise birthday party for a friend in West Hollywood in June 1980. Fast is wearing a red shirt, the first one Jameson ever bought him.

1994, West Hollywood: Jameson and Fast

Here they are 14 years later celebrating another friend's birthday, this time at Mark's restaurant, a popular hangout in West Hollywood in 1994.

1995, Santorini: Jameson and Fast

A trip to Greece in 1995 will be remembered for the gay beaches of Mykonos, but exploring Santorini was "the highlight." "Everyone should be able to share a sunset over the Aegean Sea with their partner at least once," they wrote.

1996, Beverly Hills: Jameson and Fast

The office party for Fast's employer was at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills that December in 1996. Time for a couples photo in a big red sleigh.

1996, Between Venice and Florence: Fast and Jameson

This photo of the train ride from Venice to Florence in July 1996 will always be a reminder of their first trip to Italy. The visit included "the bucket-list destinations" of Venice, Florence, and Rome. Once in Florence, they rented a car and drove the rest of the way to Rome, "where somehow, miraculously, Isaac drove us directly to our hotel without making a single wrong turn."

1997, France: Jameson and Fast

The travel-loving couple arrived in Paris on August 31, 1997. They remember that date because it was the same night Princess Diana met her end in a Paris tunnel. "That event colored the remainder of our time in France," they said. Here they are ambling down a side street somewhere off the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France.

1998, Los Angeles: Fast and Jameson

In September, a couple who are friends of theirs had a party at the Biltmore Hotel that was nothing short of a wedding to celebrate their own 20th anniversary. Jameson and Fast have never been married. Jameson jokes, "Still living in sin!"

1999, Los Angeles: Jameson and Fast

It's November 1999. The couple celebrated their 20th anniversary with a party and a housewarming at their new home in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles. They had literally just moved in on Memorial Day weekend. How do you make it to 20 years? (Or 38 years, for that matter?) "There will be many bumps along the way, but never fear," they said, "your bond is stronger than you realize, and the two of you will get through it all, together."

2000, Italy: Fast and Jameson

There was so much to take in while hiking the trail that links "the insanely picturesque" villages of Cinque Terre, Italy, in July 2000. "We got a later start than we would have liked and made it to only three of the five towns," they remember, before hopping on the train back to where they started.

2000, Corsica: Fast and Jameson

Corsica was the third leg of a trip that began with Italy's Lake District and the Amalfi Coast, but the couple say they could have easily spent a full two weeks on Corsica alone. Here they are at breakfast al fresco at a hotel outside Porto Vecchio, Corsica. "The meals served at this hotel were astonishing." The third place setting is for Amy, "our constant travel mate."

2000, Menaggio: Fast and Jameson

OK, just one more from that epic trip through Italy. The Lake District is just "a series of breathtaking vistas after another." Here they are relaxing in the pool in Menaggio, on the west coast of Lake Como.

2006, Portugal: Fast and Jameson

One thing they remember fondly from this charming bed-and-breakfast in Sintra, Portugal: the innkeeper placed "His" and "His" hand towels in their room.

2012, Beverly Hills: Jameson and Fast

What better way to celebrate New Year's Eve while ringing in 2013 than dinner with friends? This dinner included "incredible" Moroccan food at Tagine in Beverly Hills.

2016, Los Angeles: Fast and Jameson

Another November. This one in 2016, marking 37 years together. The couple took a selfie at Blair's Restaurant -- one of their favorites -- where they celebrated.

2017, Los Angeles: Jameson and Fast

Jameson is now 68; Fast is 60. Here they are on Valentine's Day last year. They explored the Broad Museum in Los Angeles. (And yes, they got in to see Yayoi Kusama's "Infinity Mirrored Room.") When November comes around again this year, they'll celebrate 39 years together.