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Mason Fitzpatrick

@fitzpattymac21

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Kindness is dope 🤟🏽📍Cincinnati 📸 : @transform.photography

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4,098 days ago, the decision and accessibility to pursue gender affirming care saved my life. Over 11 years later and I wouldn’t change a single thing. I’m thankful every day for the journey, the places it’s taken me and the people it has placed in my orbit. #lgbtq by @fitzpattymac21

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21 days ago

Jan 18th, 2024, I received an email that, little did I know, would change my life forever.

If you had asked me what my life meant 15 years ago, my answer would have been short and simple: trying to survive. For the first 25 years, I lived a life that in so many ways wasn’t my own. I wore a mask I could never take off. I looked in the mirror and never recognized the person staring back at me. I can’t tell you how many nights I spent wondering if that one would be my last. When I was 19, I came dangerously close to ending a story that had not yet been written. I tried silencing the voices in my head, and in a split-second decision, I almost succeeded. I knew from a young age my body and soul were not the same, but had zero knowledge of what to do with that information. I had no idea what being transgender meant, nor did I have anyone to tell me there was space for me here. When the darkest day came and I’d made a decision that almost cost me my life, I realized almost too late that I wanted to live.

On Jan 18th, 2024, I opened an email that I thought was just an opportunity. I had no idea it was an invitation to a family, to a purpose, to a version of my life I didn’t know I was still allowed to build. I said yes to a job. What I got back was everything I’d almost given up on.

Two years ago I walked through those doors a stranger. Today, I don’t just get to belong, I get to live a life so many dream of. People year after year step on board and have no idea what’s waiting for them on the other side. VACAYA is not a ship, or an itinerary, or a destination on a map. It’s every single one of you, the life jackets, the safety nets, the home our community has longed for and so desperately needs. VACAYA is the mirror to what’s possible when you’re surrounded by love, when you’re surrounded by people who embrace self-exploration instead of fearing it and who celebrate growth instead of demanding you stay small. It isn’t just a chance to see the world but a place that shows you there’s always been enough space for you. VACAYA isn’t just a cruise but an example of what’s possible when they get to be loved by you. #lgbtq #family #travel #vacaya @myvacaya taken in Spain by @fitzpattymac21

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a month ago

This weekend the store has been raising money to help @foreverlandfarm, a non profit sanctuary providing a safe home for abused and neglected animals! These two amazing souls Brittney & Sawyer are the cofounders and have done so much good in our community and for these animals. We had a goal of $360 for my 36th birthday tomorrow and we’ve already surpassed that amount. We are currently at $700 and counting!! 🥲

25% of all profits from the store this weekend goes straight to Foreverland. I’m so grateful for how much the community has shown up so far and that we’ve reached our goal! I’m grateful for the chance to have the smallest part in bringing more awareness to these amazing people and everything they help accomplish for these animals. If you’d like to donate directly, check my story for their info or head to their page for more! Let’s see how much more we can raise today. 😏 #community #birthday #cincinnati #nonprofit #bookstore taken in Cincinnati, OH by @fitzpattymac21

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a month ago

4 years of calling you my wife; how lucky am I? Marriage is hard but it’s worth everything when you get to be married to your best friend. Our story has just begun. I am proud of you. I’m proud of us. Thank you for doing life with me, I love you! #wife #anniversary #bestfriend by @fitzpattymac21

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2 months ago

I wish I had words to explain what this moment meant to me. @msleasalonga is one of our entertainers for this cruise, and after watching the most incredible show I think I’ve ever seen, getting to meet the woman who voices some of my favorite Disney movies, my inner child is beaming. Lea is the original singing voice of Jasmine from Aladdin, and Mulan. She has also done so much incredible work on Broadway, from Les Misérables to Miss Saigon.

Something I didn’t know until her first show tonight was that she is a parent of a trans son. When she said that, I instantly had chills all over my body. Her voice absolutely captivates; her talent speaks for itself. I had the absolute privilege of meeting her and thanking her personally for being accepting of her child, and if more parents loved unconditionally like she has, more kids would still be alive. This interaction meant so much to me, and I’m so thankful. #music #disney #lgbtq @myvacaya by @fitzpattymac21

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2 months ago

I have my first international flight to Spain on Tuesday. 🫣 Anything I should know? Tips for the plane?

I am so beyond excited and thankful for the opportunity to work abroad but I will really miss Ashley and being at the store while I’m gone! #travel #photography #travelgram by @fitzpattymac21

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2 months ago

I’ve learned this year that nostalgia is really a feeling I love being wrapped in. I’m thankful for the chance to have a partner that embraces the little things with me. #fyp #pokemon #cincinnati #bookstore taken in Cincinnati, OH by @fitzpattymac21

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3 months ago

I started getting into collecting again this year for the first time since the 90s. Something I loved so much about collecting before was being able to connect with other people over a shared hobby.

Scrolling on TikTok led me back into the Pokémon community, and I kept seeing one amazing creator after another who seemed like a genuine person sharing their love for this. When my wife and I opened a bookstore, I wanted to find ways to get product into kids’ hands for free — especially since scalping is so bad and so many people are in it just to make money. Product doesn’t even stay on the shelves long anymore because it’s all being bought, just to be resold. I know it’s not much, but it’s worth it to connect with other people who love this community and to let kids enjoy the hobby without worrying about money. #fyp #pokemon #cincinnati #bookstore taken in Cincinnati, OH by @fitzpattymac21

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3 months ago

Yesterday marked 1 month since opening!

There really aren’t enough words to express how we feel, but grateful is the most prominent by far. Getting to do something like this with your partner is such a unique experience. I’m not naive to how often people leave their dreams on paper, and I really thought this would always be one of those things. I am so happy we went for it. We believed in each other, in what we can create together, and in the ability to really make this something special. Ashley is the most talented person I know, and getting to stand in a place every day that we created together with our own hands is a privilege I don’t take for granted.

We’ve already made so many connections, had countless meaningful and amazing conversations, shared lots of laughs, and really have met some of the coolest people. Some of you have come from different cities, different STATES, to see our store. 🥲 The amount of kindness that every single person has shown us when coming in means everything. In our wildest dreams we did not think we would have had a first month like this, but WOW, thank you will never be enough. I know Ashley and I are strangers to most of you, but if you’re here on this journey with us anyway, thank you for showing up. You’re the real MVPs. We love y’all already.

To many more months ahead,
Ashley + Mason #FYP #bookstore #Cincinnati taken in Cincinnati, OH by @fitzpattymac21

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3 months ago

Since we started collecting Hirono, out of every series they have out right now, this little guy has been the one I’ve wanted. There are so many adorable Hirono but Poem has always been one of my 2 favorites. Ashley traded one of our duplicates for him and didn’t tell me 🤩 It’s the little things I swear - she is the best. @ashleysartdistrict #fyp #surprise #hirono by @fitzpattymac21

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3 months ago

Yesterday marked 11 years. For the first 25 years of my life I was just trying to survive. For the last 11 years I’ve been able to thrive. So much has changed in the world since 2015, not to mention all that has changed in mine. No matter how dark things can get, nothing felt worse than living as someone I wasn’t. People will talk, many will have opinions but not a single person can ever define who you are but you. Their opinion will never equal your value and people happy with themselves will never be worried about how you live. 11 years ago I was terrified. Today, I am whole. Please keep going. #fyp #lgbtqia by @fitzpattymac21

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3 months ago

Ashley and I made such a big dream become a reality this past weekend. We are blown away by the love and support the community has shown us. Whether it’s been a comment online or someone who has come to see us for opening, we couldn’t be more grateful for those who celebrated with us. Getting to see some of my family and friends from out of town and getting a few days to be surrounded by many those that mean so much to us, I couldn’t be more thankful for these moments we got to have together that I wasn’t expecting. Forever grateful for the incredible people we have surrounding us and the ones who have done nothing but encourage us to chase our dreams. #fyp #family #cincinnati by @fitzpattymac21

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4 months ago