When Yancy Met Erica…
We crossed paths shortly after Yancy’s consulting engagement in downtown Portland, Oregon. Surprisingly, he persuaded me to join him for a run, and against my better judgment, I agreed. I figured it would be an excellent opportunity to acquaint myself with the person everyone was raving about, even though I had no prior knowledge of who “Yancy” was. All I knew was that he was a popular mixologist featured on Netflix.
Initially, I had assumed he was gay, but as it turns out, this was not the case. Despite my injured knees, I managed to keep pace during our challenging run. Afterward, we grabbed Chipotle takeout and settled at Pioneer Square in downtown Portland. Our conversation delved into our lives and relationships. One particular memory stands out: Yancy mentioned having a roster of only five girls, but I suspected it might encompass the entire Portland scene, given his widespread popularity (though I remained unaware at the time). However, what truly left an indelible mark was when I shared my painful memories. I struggled to maintain composure, but Yancy reached across the table, held my hand, looked into my eyes, and reassured me that everything would be okay. His warmth and care made a lasting impression, and despite my initial reservations, he became someone I could trust and turn to.
To be honest, I initially thought our connection was merely a fling due to Yancy’s lackluster texting skills. However, one memorable night, he invited me to enjoy the rooftop view and some drinks with his friend Shub and a few others. It turned out to be a delightful hangout, and in that moment, I realized there was more to our relationship than I had initially assumed. I didn’t know anyone else there, but Yancy’s presence made it feel like enough. Contrary to my initial expectation of sitting alone in a corner, he spent 95% of the time next to me, making me feel comfortable and engaging in conversation. His attentiveness was truly appreciated. Throughout the evening, I grappled with the question of whether he was a nice guy or a play boy—both sides had evidence, and I played detective, analyzing every interaction. As the night grew late, around 2 am, it was just the two of us. We watched a movie and continued chatting. Unexpectedly, he suggested we remain friends and enthusiastically gave me a high five. In my mind I was thinking friends huh? Challenge accepted. Lets see how long you can manage to be “just friends” with me. Awkwardly 10 minutes past. He turned off the lights and headed toward his bedroom, and naturally, I followed. The rest, as they say, is history. Fun fact: Shub claimed he had invited his entire “roster” over that night. Apparently, everyone has a roster. Our interactions increased over time.
On July 24, 2023, we attended the Waterfront Blues Festival with our friends, and that’s when he officially asked me to be his girlfriend. He’s unlike anyone I’ve dated before. Sometimes, he can be a pain in the ass. We often clashed due to our differing views—what I like to call the “Asian vs. Western ways.” While he dislikes this label, perhaps you all can help us determine whose arguments hold more weight. 😄 Shout out to all of Yancy’s friends but especially Devin and Miranda. They are like my family in Portland. (I stayed with them for about 6 months). All the late night drinking heart-to-heart talks, the holocene dance parties, the list goes on. I feel like I’ve know them for so long (maybe from the past lives?) Anyways, I can’t wait to start this brand new journey with my Hubby.
