On Feb. 16, Bill Fennelly and Jason Rosencranz sat down at a table in their favorite Fairmount neighborhood restaurant, Hickory Lane. The table was set with two red roses. A smiling waiter brought them martinis without being asked. Fennelly then presented Rosencranz with two gifts.
The first, a mutually admired coffee-table book called “First Comes Love,” which features portraits of LGBTs in long-term relationships. The second, a custom photo book with pictures of the couple and of all their adventures over the past eight years.
Then Fennelly took Rosencranz’s hand, and asked his partner if he would marry him.
Rosencranz replied, “Yes.”
It was an easy decision for the couple that describes themselves as absolute best friends and having fallen in love at first sight.
They met online in Novemeber 2006. Both were living in New York City at the time. Fennelly, a theater director for Broadway shows such as “The Lion King,” was preparing to move to Atlanta. Rosencranz, who works in client management for American Express, knew he could not let Fennelly go.
So they maintained a long-distance relationship for about a year. Then Fennelly moved back to New York and into Rosencranz’s 300-square-foot apartment, putting their relationship to the test.
“I told him if it works, it works; if not, you can kick me out,” said Fennelly. “You have to really like each other to be living in a space that small,” he added.
“But it also forces you to really get to know the person,” said Rosencranz.
The cohabitation test was a success. After five years, the couple decided to leave the shoebox apartment behind and move in August 2011 to Philadelphia, where they have lived since.
The couple loves to travel. They have visited Vietnam, Cambodia, Russia, South Africa and the Middle East, among other locales.
“Travel has always been a part of our lives,” said Fennelly. “We are always looking for the next adventure.”
They had discussed marriage in the past as that next great adventure, but coincidentally had never lived in a state where it was actually legal, until recently.
“First and foremost we wanted it to be legal,” said Rosencranz.
“Jason used to tease me that he would only live in a state where it was not legal,” said Fennelly. “But we are meant to be together. He is stuck with me. And I am gloriously stuck with him.”
Fennelly contends that Rosencranz dropped a major hint that he wanted to tie the knot soon — when Rosencrantz left a copy of PGN open to the page calling for wedding announcements for this issue.
Rozencranz swears the not-so-inconspicuous hint was unintentional.
Regardless, their love for each other is effusive. Even during our phone interview, their affection for one another was palpable.
“From the moment I saw him, I knew. It was the most beautiful smile I had ever seen,” said Fennelly. “He is so kind and so optimistic and loving. He is also really funny, which is very important to me. We make each other laugh. Every day is a great adventure with him. Every couple deals with individual or collective challenges, but it’s good to know you have your best friend in the room with you.”
“Bill is the sweetest, kindest person I know,” said Rosencranz. “Not just to me but to everyone. It’s funny seeing how many people love him and knowing that I was the lucky one. He is incredibly warm, generous and supportive.
“He’s also very easy on the eyes,” he laughed. “His spirit is just as beautiful as his looks too.”
Fennelly, originally from Wethersfield, Conn., now teaches in the theater program at Drexel University in addition to still directing plays. Rosencranz, from Milton, Mass., still works for American Express.
After waiting eight years to get engaged, the couple says they are in no rush to get married, though they have narrowed down the date to summer 2016.
“It makes total sense for us to take our time,” said Fennelly. “Our friends and family are super excited for us. They can’t wait. Neither can we.”