My friends Carl Hungerford and Andy Dvorak are just about to get married—next month! They live in San Francisco and have been together for 5 years. I asked them to talk about how their relationship has developed in the face of educational demands, a new job, and moving across the country not just once, but twice.
Elizabeth River: I hear that you met at a party. What first attracted you to each other?
Carl Hungerford: The moment I met Andy, I knew I had found ‘the one.’ It’s true; I just knew. What attracted me the most was his kindness, his innate sense of humor, and he’s so good looking!
Andy Dvorak: His kind and gentle heart, caring spirit and his willingness to go out of his way to help others. And he’s so tolerant of my sense of humor!
Elizabeth River: As you dated and were falling in love, what did you feel was the strongest bond between you?
Carl Hungerford: From the very beginning, we both understood and respected one another. We’re very different people: I’m Type A, a planner who likes to figure things out. Andy usually lets things evolve.
Andy Dvorak: We complement each other. Carl’s strengths balance out my shortcomings. Best of all, our good communication helps us maintain and even deepen our bond. We are not afraid to talk about anything, no matter how difficult. We don’t fall into the trap of making assumptions about each other. It’s all out in the open between us.
Elizabeth River: Was it hard for you to move to Washington D.C.? What were the challenges? And likewise about moving back to San Francisco.
Carl Hungerford: I enrolled in nursing school at Georgetown and we got to know people right away. As a flight attendant, Andy has always had friends all over the country. Moving back to San Francisco was easy as we’d never lost touch with friends and family here.
Andy Dvorak: The move to D.C. was almost too seamless. I got my transfer on the exact date we needed so we could be together. When he completed nursing school, Carl applied for a job here at Hospice by the Bay, so I put in for a transfer to San Francisco. We made some sacrifices for each other with each move, but they only strengthened our commitment. Our unwavering support for each other in all aspects of life just reminds us how great life, and our relationship, is.
Elizabeth River: What are your favorite things about this man with whom you are going to spend the rest of your life?
Carl Hungerford: My favorite things are those qualities that first attracted me to him: his kindness and his sense of humor. Actually, a lot of his jokes are pretty bad, but that’s also what makes them memorable—and they always make me smile!
Andy Dvorak: Carl is very consistent. Over the past 5 ½ years, we’ve had the opportunity to grow together, but I am marrying him for the same exact reasons that attracted
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