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September 20, 2019 - Our Town by Mary Shockley

Tatum Poole family

 

A Path of Their Own

Couple Starts Businesses and Family in Selbyville

Leaving our town of Rehoboth and driving south on Route 1, about 25 miles inland is the town of Selbyville. Within this small town is a quaint downtown area offering a beloved library, a post office, and a few businesses. Pressing towards the outer town limits, there’s more to do and more buzz. And by welcoming LGBTQ individuals and couples, Selbyville is an example of the widening circle of gay-friendly areas in Sussex County

Calling the town of Selbyville home is a couple who over the past five years has been slowly, yet successfully, making a name for themselves in the area’s small business world and a home for themselves as part of the area’s LGBTQ community.   

Brandon Tatum-Poole, originally from northern Georgia, opened Vogue on 54 Salon and Spa in 2015 and has since doubled his square footage in an effort, due to demand, to offer nails and massage as well. His passion doesn’t end at cosmetology, as interior design comes in as a close second.

So this past July, 37-year-old Brandon decided to take the plunge into retail and open a home décor shop in downtown Selbyville, featuring a mix of modern and rustic unique finds. None of this would be possible without Brandon’s business partner, Darren Tatum-Poole by his side.

Brandon is grateful that his business partner also happens to be his husband. It was Darren who encouraged Brandon to attend cosmetology school. While Darren works in banking, he is also certified to help at the salon and is a veteran who served in the US Navy for four years.

The two admit they met in a romantic comedy way, striking up a conversation in a bookshop in Virginia in 2011. It wasn’t long till both wanted more than a long-distance relationship. One month later, they moved in together in Virginia, and have been together ever since. They moved to Delaware seven years ago, getting married in 2016.

The two have many things in common but their coming out stories couldn’t be more different. Darren, 37, originally from North Carolina, describes it as smooth and doesn’t recall making it a big announcement. He just embraced who he was and his family supported him.

Brandon was met with slight resistance coming out in his small town in Georgia but smiles how the once bumpy road is now a smooth red carpet, much like the one they used at the grand opening of Vogue on 54.

“Delaware is home to us now,” said Darren. “We appreciate that Delaware has accepted us.”

After planting roots and buying a home in Selbyville, the couple began dreaming and planning of having a family. After a fun-filled “foster to adopt” shower at their salon, they began their parenting journey by fostering seven children of various ages in seven months. While the experience taught the couple many lessons and was unforgettable, at the end of those whirlwind months, the two knew that fostering was not for them.

After months of hoping to expand their family, cheered on by friends and relatives, an adoptable baby came to them. Their now one-year-old son, Micah, is their constant ray of sunshine.

“We could’ve never planned for any of this,” Brandon said. “We only prayed for it. It made us believe that there is a plan.”

Micah is surrounded by a large family, friends, and many friends who are like family. He will soon call his dads Papa and Dada and they are prepared to support him and answer any questions he may have.

Brandon and Darren feel that their every dream has come true and plan to keep dreaming. Next up for the two fathers is expanding the salon to the Long Neck area. Vogue on 24 is expected to open this winter in a 4,000 square foot space offering hair, massage, and home décor.

“Being a business owner is the quintessential American dream,” Brandon said. “The reality is that with a good work ethic your dreams can come true.”

At the core of completing their American dream is their bright-eyed son Micah.

“Micah will grow up with the support of two loving, dedicated fathers giving him concrete advice, while also allowing him to find his own way in life,” Darren said. “We will tell Micah how he became our son and how hard we prayed for him and continue to pray for him. He deserves the best in life, starting with his two fathers setting the tone of honesty.” ▼

‹ September 20, 2019 - Historical Headliners by Ann Aptaker up September 20, 2019 - Health and Wellness by Marj Shannon ›

Past Issues

Issues Index

  • November 15, 2019 - Issue Index
  • October 18, 2019 - Issue Index
  • September 20, 2019 - Issue Index
    • September 20, 2019 - Cover-to-cover with ISSUU
    • September 20, 2019 - The Way I See It by Murray Archibald
    • September 20, 2019 - In Brief
    • September 20, 2019 - CAMP Matters by Murray Archibald
    • September 20, 2019 - CAMP Out by Fay Jacobs
    • September 20, 2019 - Sundance 2019 by Sondra N. Arkin
    • September 20, 2019 - Our New Executive Director
    • September 20, 2019 - CAMP News
    • September 20, 2019 - Our Town by Scott Spangler, MD
    • September 20, 2019 - President's View by Chris Beagle
    • September 20, 2019 - CAMP Stories by Rich Barnett
    • September 20, 2019 - CAMP Rehoboth Events
    • September 20, 2019 - Our Town by Michael Gilles
    • September 20, 2019 - Jazz Festival(s) Weekend
    • September 20, 2019 - It's My Life by Michael Thomas Ford
    • September 20, 2019 - CAMP Critters
    • September 20, 2019 - Our Staff
    • September 20, 2019 - Straight Talk by David Garrett
    • September 20, 2019 - CAMPshots Gallery 5
    • September 20, 2019 - CAMPshots Gallery 1
    • September 20, 2019 - CAMPshots Gallery 2
    • September 20, 2019 - CAMPshots Gallery 3
    • September 20, 2019 - CAMPshots Gallery 4
    • September 20, 2019 - Intentionally Inclusive by Wesley Combs
    • September 20, 2019 - We Remember
    • September 20, 2019 - Community News
    • September 20, 2019 - Historical Headliners by Ann Aptaker
    • September 20, 2019 - Our Town by Mary Shockley
    • September 20, 2019 - Health and Wellness by Marj Shannon
    • September 20, 2019 - Out & About by Eric C. Peterson
    • September 20, 2019 - The Real Dirt by Eric W. Wahl
    • September 20, 2019 - Eating OUT by Fay Jacobs
    • September 20, 2019 - CAMP Arts by Doug Yetter
    • September 20, 2019 - Booked Solid by Terri Schlichenmeyer
    • September 20, 2019 - CAMP Cheers!
    • September 20, 2019 - CAMP Dates - September 20- October 23
    • September 20, 2019 - Out & Proud by Stefani Deoul
  • August 23, 2019 - Issue Index
  • August 9, 2019 - Issue Index
  • July 26, 2019 - Issue Index
  • July 12, 2019 - Issue Index
  • June 28, 2019 - Issue Index
  • June 14, 2019 - Issue Index
  • May 31, 2019 - Issue Index
  • May 17, 2019 - Issue Index
  • May 3, 2019 - Issue Index
  • April 12, 2019 - Issue Index
  • March 8, 2019 - Issue Index
  • February 8, 2019 - Issue Index

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