photos + story / LEE O’Connor
Hi! What’s your name? What do you do?
Nyssa: Nyssa Frank, I am the Owner and Director of The Living Gallery.
Mike: My name is Mike. I work full time but my passion is music. To be honest I still am trying to figure out exactly what it is that I want to “do” for the rest of my life (career, accomplishments, contributions, etc.). I do know that I am very happy right now so I guess that’s why I don’t feel the urgency to figure out what it is I want to “do”.
So, how long have you guys been a couple?
Nyssa: 2 years this December 1st.
How did you meet?
Nyssa: Mutual friends, but I was actually seeing his best friend and he stole me from him.
What is the secret of a good relationship? How do you guys make it work?
Nyssa: The not so secret thing is communication, it is basically the most important thing in the world in any kind of relationship. We make things work because Mike is so handsome and beautiful and kind and funny and the best listener.We both have passions in the arts, and both love our family. We are attracted to each other physically and mentally, and that is the other most important thing! I can’t sit next to him without wanting, needing to touch him and bite him.
Mike: Communication and understanding are really important. But I think the most important thing is doing exciting, positive, and interesting things together. Growing together. That’s what evolves a relationship. It’s easier for us because we have a lot of similar interests. One of the most enriching activities that we do is pick a destination on the map and spend the day walking there. In New York City you could learn and see a lot by walking a straight line for 4 hours.
Another thing is we each have our own pursuits. Nyssa has her gallery and I have my music. Even though it’s our individual things that are very important to us, we can participate and support each other. We both need to have time to ourselves and pursuit our own passions and I think that’s another key part to a healthy relationship.
Having different backgrounds is good because you can learn from one another and teach each other. And obviously you have to be physically and mentally attracted to the other person.
What’s your sign?
Nyssa: Sagittarius. Even though i don’t believe in that mumbo jumbo, Sags and Leos are supposed to be matches.
Mike: Leo, but I don’t look to deep into Astrology.
How do you see your future together? Where would you be living/doing?
Nyssa: I will be focusing more on my own art, but still directing my gallery. Mike will be involved in music or politics or both: writing his own music, seeking out new music, directing a radio station, djing… We will still be in Brooklyn, I love it too much to ever leave. But whatever the future brings, we will be happy.
Mike: I think in the short term future I see us living in the same area and doing the same things, but on a much larger level with more cohesive goals. For the long term I believe we will still be together but life is too unpredictable to say what we will be doing and where we will be living.
Craziest couple story?
Nyssa: ummmmmmmmmmmmmmm, I don’t think we have a “craziest” one, every day is a crazy story. However, we are going on a trip, taking buses from brooklyn to california, and I’m sure that will give birth to a lot of craziness!
Mike: I don’t know how to answer this question. We do a lot of “crazy” and amazing things together all the time. We are leaving in a couple of days on a cross country trip to California, where I’m from, so hopefully there will be our “craziest couple story”.
Do you have pet names for each other?
Nyssa: Not really, sometimes I call him Butternut, and sometimes he calls me a Kitten, but that’s just because he is buttery and I am a kitten.
Mike: None of your business.
