Lighten up, it's just passion

When did I first fall for you, Santino? How does one retrace the steps to infatuation's first footfall?



Was it when you gave your own skin for fashion in the form of your cherished leather jacket in your bitchin' "clothes off your back" design? (Still my favorite outfit from the show,although Andrae's gutter water dress was a close second.) Perhaps that was the first blush of affection. But, alas, your haughty spirit served as a barrier to keep my heart safely out of my throat at that point.

Was it when you started doing dead-on impressions of Tim Gunn? I must admit, I'm a sucker for a cut-up. The permafrost on my ventricles began to show signs of condensation with every "What happened to Andrae?". By the time you got into the Red Lobster diaries, I knew my corazon was usted's.

And then, and then, as if I could feel any more devotion to a reality show contestant, you became my true north in the reunion episode. Oh, to have shared a Venice bench at sunset with you as Tim was lucky enough to have done.



You siphoned off part of my soul with your tender admissions of being a vulnerable man under the arrogant genius. You beguiled my softer side when you frolicked with your best friend's adorable kids.

And then your finale collection. Could it have been more exquisite? No, Santino, no. It couldn't have been more exquisite.



It was at this point I confessed to my Project Runway confidant/homie that you had become my official gay boyfriend. Imagine my surprise when I found out that that was only half the story. Bi god, I do have a shot in hell.

So, Santino, m'love, I realize that I'm only one small voice in the growing mob of fans that now throw rose petals in your path, but I'm willing to be that one small voice. As I write this, the fate of the final three has yet to be broadcast. I felt this would be my moment to confess my affections. That way, if you win, you will know I'm not just here for the good times, the $100,000 in seed money to help you launch your own line, the 2007 Saturn SkyRoadster, the spread in ELLE and especially not the mentorship from the Banana Republic Design Team.

Good night, and good luck, you handsome steed, you.

***

Thanks to the amazingly talented FourFour for his brilliant Project Runway recaps and for making all the show clips and sound bites linkable for us more Luddite types. You are my alternate true north.