MutantTenor42

It's been a long while since I've done this kind of thing, so I'm trying to slide back into this strange world of dating slowly. I'm really just hoping to start by making some friends. Later on, something deeper would be really nice (I equivocate; it would be great!). And of course my ultimate goal is to find my eternal companion. But I'm not in a rush; friends is a really good place to start.

Also, apologies for the novel, but I come from a family of writers. You wouldn't believe how many times I've already edited this introduction down to something not entirely overwhelming.

What should you know about me? Three things are most important:
1) Faith
2) Family
3) Music

If you want to know more about my faith and the central role it plays in my life, see the "Church" section below...

My family currently consists of my four kids: My oldest is 19; she is a college sophomore studying political science in preparation to go to law school. My oldest son is 17 and starting his senior year of high school. He is looking forward to studying biology and possibly becoming an "old reptile guy" someday (read that as "old cat lady", but with lizards and snakes). My third child is a seven-year-old first grader who loves hanging out with his family but spends most of his time playing Pokémon games on his switch. Finally, there is my almost five-year-old daughter, a precocious energizer bunny who thinks she is the queen of the world.

Neurodivergence runs in my family multi-generationally. Both of my boys are on the Autism Spectrum. They are incredibly intelligent, but have social and/or behavioral challenges that can make life more interesting. We are still trying to determine where my youngest daughter fits on the spectrum.

It’s also important to know that my two older kids are non-religious and identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community. My seven-year-old is currently very uncertain about where the church fits in his life. Consequently, I’m ultimately looking for someone who will lovingly accept these amazing humans who happen to follow a different path currently.

Some may ask how I personally reconcile this difference of belief and philosophy. My answer is simple: my role is not to judge, but to share the love of my Savior. I strive to follow the admonition of the savior regarding the first and second commandments and to keep them both with all my heart, might, mind, and strength (see Matthew 22:36-40).

I love my children with all my heart. And while I am done fathering my own, if you have kids and we make that ultimate connection, I'll love yours with all my heart too.

And that third thing? Let me just quote the bard: "If music be the food of love, play on." (Bonus points if you can name the play.)

I love music. I'm a classically trained tenor (full lyric/Puccini tenor, if that means anything). I LOVE singing and being on stage. Which is really kind of odd, because socially I'm generally a quiet, shy wallflower. But give me a good script or a beautiful lyric and put my in front of an auditorium full of people... and that wallflower blooms.

But music is more than just a performing thing to me; it's an integral part of my faith journey. Many of most spiritual experiences have come through music, and I love sharing my testimony of the gospel through song.
I don't perform now as frequently as I used to, but it is still an important part of my life.

There's lots more, but I'm doing that word vomit thing, so I should probably stop for now.