06/01/2026
I wanted to share a different kind of Pride story today.
My Sweet Honeysuckle soap was created in honor of my Aunt Diane. It was the second soap I made. She loved honeysuckles, Dolly Parton, Murder She wrote, WNBA, the Boilermaker, Goofy (she did the best impressions of Goofy and Donald Duck), the Freihofer Run, the Giants (but WOULD reluctantly root for the Bill's if they made it to playoffs and the Giants didn't 🤣), & so much more.
Aunt Diane & Aunt KC helped my parents raise me and my older brother. Later became two of my closest friends. Like many humans of their generation, they never openly spoke about their relationship. We all knew, but there was always an underlying fear of being truly seen.
When Aunt Diane suffered a massive heart attack & stroke at 60, I was her healthcare proxy. I remember saying Aunt KC makes decisions too to the Dr. then the doctor referring to them as a couple, and even in that difficult moment, Aunt KC immediately shut down. That fear never really left. This was prior to the Marriage Equality Act.
That's why Pride Month is important.
Pride is about more than rainbows and parades. It's about creating a world where people can live openly, love openly, and be accepted for who they are. A world where humans don't need to live in fear for who they are.
I often wonder what Aunt Diane's life would have looked like if she'd had that freedom. I'd like to think she'd have moved to Troy, worked in the shop or continued as a CNA, making everyone laugh & feeling right at home at Holy Trinity National Church, surrounded by people who loved and accepted her exactly as she was.
When I was younger my dad once told me that it would be okay if I was gay, straight, or still figuring it out. I wish his sister had heard those words at any point in her life. I know not everyone is lucky enough to hear those words, let alone from a parent.
Her name was Diane Hovish. We called her Tiger because she was tough on the outside and all heart on the inside. A bit sensitive just like me. 🤣
Please think of Diane whenever you see or smell honeysuckle flowers. This is our last photo together.
🏳️🌈 Happy Pride Month.
