Dr. R Everett Frerichs got Tony Harrelson’s attention when he inadvertently sent him a “super like” on Match.com. They were married 10 months later. …
Dr. R Everett Frerichs knew he was gay since he was a teenager. But it took decades for him to publicly share that.
“I was 60 years old and finding my way in the gay community,” said Dr. Frerichs, 61, who started dating again after getting an amicable divorce from his wife of 32 years in November 2020.
As he embraced his sexuality, his therapist suggested he try Match.com. When he signed up on Feb. 7, Super Bowl Sunday, Anthony Glenn Harrelson’s profile stood out from 10 introductory matches.
Dr. Frerichs, who goes by R, then sent a “like” Mr. Harrelson’s way. Or, so he thought — he had actually hit “super like” instead.
“That was the only reason I read his profile,” said Mr. Harrelson, 57, who at the time was weary of dating. A self-described one-date person, Mr. Harrelson, who goes by Tony, said he had even left in the middle of a few.
“Are you on the organ procurement list?” he would ask if someone pulled out a cellphone on a date, his pet peeve, and a deal breaker. “I didn’t have time or patience,” added Mr. Harrelson, who remained content with his English Cavalier Spaniel, Lily, and his circle of friends.
Mr. Harrelson is a nurse anesthetist at the Cary and Raleigh, N.C. locations of Raleigh Endoscopy Center. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and received a master’s degree in biomedical science from Albany Medical College.
Dr. Frerichs is a pediatrician at North Raleigh Pediatrics, a group practice in Raleigh, N.C. He graduated with highest distinction from Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Neb.,and received a medical degree
