Billet-Doux: n. (bĭl'ā dōō, or "billa doo") A love letter. (literally "sweet letter" in French)

Love can be so many things. It can be the love you have for your partner. It can be the love that you have for music or a favorite animal.

It can even be the passion that you have for being social and stylish.

My Billet Doux is a mix of it all and I'm laying it out here for everyone to read. Hold on, let me put my heels on (if you think a man can't wear six inch pumps, think again).

It all started in 2007 for a young, gay, Dustin Maxwell.

I ran into my friend Kate one day and she was with this brooding, James Dean–type guy in a leather jacket who gave me the head nod and then turned away. I assumed he was Kate’s boyfriend and said, “Nicely done.” And she said, “David? He’s not playing on my team, but he has a boyfriend.” So, then I just kept seeing him on the periphery, and in turn, catching up on him, but I didn’t want to be that guy who was creating some sort of romantic interference. So, I was always around when he was around, hoping the stars would align.

(Editor's note: Because of the principles of alcohol and drug recovery programs, some individuals quoted in this article will only be referred to by their first name and last initial.)

SAN DIEGO – At its annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser Sunday night, the Gay Men’s Spiritual Retreat (GMSR) presented Stepping Stone of San Diego with its top honor, the Brandon Gray Community Service Award.

Since moving to New York from San Diego earlier this year, I have found myself engaged in several conversations with people on the phone application Grindr and also in person, about how they use the application.

Odd, I know, but I have been that struck by the differences, it comes up in conversation more.