Images so often trigger memories, and that's exactly what happened the first time I saw an image of model Neels Visser. My family didn't have a lot when I was growing up, enough, but nothing extra. We did however live in a coastal city, one that sprung to life in the summer. Summer always had 'summer folk', people who came to spend their money enjoying what the ocean had to offer.
There were several yacht clubs near my home, several near where i lived. One I visited ever so often was smaller, not especially posh. It had a small pool and games room that were open to the public. The other, was much more exclusive. We drove by it almost every single day. I used to love looking at the boats, and seeing all the people going in and out to use the swimming pool and tennis courts. I especially loved driving by at Christmas. Not only was the club lit up in Christmas lights, so were many of the boats.
When I was about 15, I finally got to go inside. I was interviewing a member about the clubs history and connection to the community. I think I always envisioned that all the rich yacht owner had hot sons that looked like Neels Visser. I learned on that day, few of them actually did. Except one...
His name was Stephen, not Steven with a 'v' but Stephen with the 'ph'. I know this, as it was the first thing he told me when I was introduced to him. Stephen was asked to show me around, and I after clarifying the 'ph', he ended up being incredibly nice, and really funny. Stephen even invited me back to swim 'sometime', but sadly that never ended up happening.
Stephen looked almost exactly like Neels Visser, especially in the shots with longer hair. Stephen was tall, incredibly thin, with distinctive facial features that I couldn't stop staring at. I think he noticed to, but what I liked so much about him was that he didn't seem to care.
I'm sure he was straight, but a few people I know told stories about him skinning dipping late night at the club, often with some of his gay friends. This sounds so normal now, I have a ton of straight male friends. Looking back though, it struck me at the time, as it wasn't as common. Thanks Neels for the memory.
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