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‘Our engagement was not only a promise to him; it was a promise to myself that I would never hide again.’

The last time David visited his ailing grandmother, he hid his wedding ring in his pocket. He’d never told her about his identity as a gay, married man. Fearful David’s grandmother would disown him, his family never told her about David’s loving marriage with his husband, Constantino. It was an untruth David lived with until the day she died.

Today, David shares how that untruth left a gaping hole in his relationship with his grandmother — and the power of telling the truth in his eulogy.

Today’s story

• “The House Where My Husband Doesn’t Exist,” By David Khalaf

“Modern Love” is hosted by Anna Martin and produced by Julia Botero, Christina Djossa and Hans Buetow. The show is edited by Sara Sarasohn, and our executive producer is Jen Poyant. The show is mixed by Rowan Niemisto and recorded by Maddy Masiello. It features original music by Dan Powell and Marion Lozano. Our theme music is by Dan Powell.

Special thanks to Daniel Jones, Miya Lee, Mahima Chablani, Jeffrey Miranda, Renan Borelli, Nina Lassam, Julia Simon and Anna Diamond at Audm.

Thoughts? Email us at modernlovepodcast@nytimes.com.

Want more from “Modern Love”? Read past stories. Watch the TV series and sign up for the newsletter. We also have swag at the NYT Store and two books, “Modern Love: True Stories of Love, Loss, and Redemption” and “Tiny Love Stories: True Tales of Love in 100 Words or Less.”