“On that first date, I kind of realized that this was probably something that I really wanted to pursue, so we kind of decided to see each other again,” Raul says. “We had a few dates after that, probably for two or three months, and we kept it very platonic and kind of started to get to know each other, which is probably one of the best things we’ve ever done, realizing we probably wanted to go further with the relationship. It was a courtship – it really was.”
Scott Stinson, who is a senior business analyst, and Raul Salinas, a hairstylist, met more than 27 years ago through a friend named Jerry, who cut Scott’s hair.
There used to be a gay bowling league in Winter Park years ago that met on Tuesday nights. Jerry told Scott he needed a substitute because one of the players on his team couldn’t make it, so he asked him if he wanted to come and he agreed. One of Jerry’s friends, Lynn, came out to the bowling night to hang out, and she knew Raul and brought him to the bowling night with her.
“We chit-chatted for a bit and saw there was a connection there, so several days later we decided to get together and we ended up having lunch,” Scott says.
From those first couple dates, they both realized this was something special they really wanted to pursue. And as years passed, they both grew together and learned from each other.
“Raul’s been a good influence on me as far as trying to be a little more patient at times,” Scott says. “I tend to be a little more intense about things and want to go, go, go. Raul is more like, ‘Hey, you need to be chill and be patient – things will work out.’”
And Raul says that Scott has had an equal role in impacting his life and helping him be the best version of himself too.
“For me, he’s probably taught me to be a little bit more assertive – to be a little more aggressive with things that you want and moving forward,” Raul says. “I’m a little laid back, and he’s the opposite, which has worked for us.”
Being together for more than 27 years, the two always considered themselves a married couple already. Scott says he never really thought much about marriage because he knew he was gay, and since he knew he wasn’t going to marry a woman, he didn’t think it would be possible.
He says when it finally became the law of the land, he figured that it should be something he and Raul should do since they could now get married legally as well. Scott even said many of his family members and straight friends showed their support and repeatedly asked them if they would now get legally married.
“I think other people thought more about it than we did, because we have been together for so long. We were kind of already married anyway,” Scott jokes.
YEARS TOGETHER: 27+ years
WEDDING DATE: October 21, 2016
WEDDING VENUE: The Orchid Room
WEDDING PLANNER: Scott & Raul
WEDDING CATERER: Levan’s Catering
WEDDING THEME/COLORS: The theme is travel, and the wedding colors are tan and gray.
FIRST SONG: “I Could Not Ask For More” by Edwin McCain
INTERESTING FACT: They have traveled to 67 countries together.
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