How Bug got his name

When I chatted with Bug online he had a picture of himself on his profile. It was a close head-shot and he had a wonderfully big smile on his face. In fact it looked like the photographer had caught him in the middle of a laugh.
While we typed out messages to each other I'd look at the picture and wonder what kind of guy he was.
One of the things he asked me was if we met would I be able to lift him and would I be able to undress and dress him; I wonder what he was thinking we'd do when we met? He typed that his hands didn't work like other people's hands.
When I finally did meet Bug in person, sitting outside his apartment in his electric wheelchair, it was in fact his hands that I first noticed. The way his elbows were bent and his hands raised reminded me of a praying mantis. Specifically, thanks to Disney, it was the fumbling magician Manny from A Bug's Life that sprung to mind for me.
It was quite early in our relationship that I began calling Bug by this nickname.
He'd ask why I called him Bug.
I'd say, 'because you're my Love Bug.'
A few months after meeting, I suggested that Bug join me at a men's gathering in central Oregon. It's a place I'd been a half dozen times and I thought Bug might enjoy himself.
The place has natural lithium laced hot-springs, thermally heated cabins and a wonderful group of queer men that come to let go of their urban lives and frolic amongst the trees.
On the first day the majority of men at this gathering were in the North Wing, a large multipurpose room in the main lodge. Everyone was going around introducing themselves. It's very common to have a nickname, spirit name, goofy name, or what have you amongst this group. When it came to Bug he introduced himself, not by the name is parents gave him, but by Bug.
I shot him a look.
This is kind of serious amongst this group.
I spoke up and said, 'uh... are you sure you want to take that name?'
He laughed and nodded.
It's tradition if you take a new name that everyone says it back to you three times.
I told the group that my boyfriend was taking the name 'Bug'.
'Bug. Bug. Bug!'
So be it.
It became official, amongst our friends anyways. Now my boyfriend is known as Bug.
I get asked, 'How's Bug doing?', 'I haven't spoken to Bug in awhile.' 'Will Bug be joining you?'
I'm sure there are people in our circle who don't even know his birth name. To them he's Bug.
To me he's my Snuggle Bug.
My Hug Bug.
My Bed Bug.
Love Bug.

Until the next time...