We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Bryan Tucker a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Bryan , appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
My big risk
My first big risk started back in 2016 when I graduated high school and moved to Atlanta to be with a man that I had only known for less than a year.
It all started back in December 29, 2016. Me and my family was staying in Paris, Tx. Witch a small circle in the middle of no where. I had just left football practice and was headed home for the night.
As the night was coming to a end, my cousin rushes into the room asking me for a late night favor. She was my ride or die family member at the time so i couldn’t say no.
A few moment later my phone started going crazy, so I check it to see what’s going on. I had various notifications from Instagram. This guy was liking all my pictures and video, on top of him messaging me.
So I Gave him a response back basically telling him thank you. Then he asked me if I was free to get on the phone. So I started to scroll his page, to see who this man is before saying yes.
As I am scrolling his page, I find myself more and more interested. After doing my research and stalking his page. I texted him back and told him I would love to talk on the phone.
After that me and my cousin get ready to head out, since k already agreed to do the favor. As I’m dropping her off my phone start ringing, but I already knew who it was. My stomach started to catch butterflies immediately, so I let the phone ring. While I finished dropping my cousin off and catching my breath from the butterflies.
Once I was in the car alone, I gave him a call back. As soon as he answered the phone, a huge smile was painted across my face and I couldn’t hide it or stop it.
As the night goes on, my interest for this young man gets deeper and deeper. As the clock strikes 12 me and Priciliano look at each other with direct eye . We both open our mouth to ask one question.
“Will you be my boyfriend”
As the night slowly turn into morning. I find myself still on the phone, laughing, smiling and enjoying myself.
(Fast forwarding)
As time Moves forward and I am not approaching graduation. My love for Priciliano was still strong as ever. It was definitely a struggle trying to maintain a long distance relationship but we made it work.
As graduation approaches I started to have a gut feeling. That is was time to meet the man I’ve been in love with for close to a year. However, he informed me about some complications he had going on in his life.
So we talked it over to try to work something out, but this was all new to him and he was Kinda scared and I know how it feels to be scared as a game man being forced out the closet and I didn’t want him to experience any of that. So I told him” not to worry about it and that we will figure it out in time.”
It is now the night before graduation. I can’t sleep and nervous are through the roof. As the clock is ticking, I’m running out of time to sleep. I finally ended up Passing out after various attempts of sleeping. However when I finally woke up I saw that I had missed the practice walk.
Thankfully my last name start with (T) and all my cloths and pre- packed and at the school already. As I’m making my way to the school Building, I receive a long text from my boss at work. I didn’t get a chance to look at it because I was driving and in a rush to graduation.
The practice walk for graduation has Already started. I felt so embarrassed walking in while our council was practicing tonight speech. As they are finishing up the practice. All I can think about is the long message my boss sent from earlier.
As i complete my walk across the stage. I asked a teacher if u can be excused to the bathroom, but I Honestly just wanted to check my phone. Once I go to the bathroom and turned my phone on.
I see all these messages, missed calls, and voicemail, not only from my boss but family as well. So i start to check the messages and everyone is just asking where I am. I check the voicemails and everyone is just telling me to call them ASAP.
So I finally call everyone back, to be told that someone exposed all my nudes on social media. So I’m rushing to social media trying to see what happen. If not take it down but I was already ready reported by everyone and got removed.
I tried giving my parents a call back but no response. So I start headed home for the night, before it get too late and by later lock me out.
As i pull up to the house I look to check if anyone was home. Both my moms and dad was home, in that moment I knew something was wrong. Because my dad at the time didn’t really live with us, so the fact he is home at this hour.
So I man up and get over the fear. As i slowly grab my things out the car. In the far distance I can hear someone coming out the house. So I turn around to my dad opening up the door. Asking me to come inside, so that him and my mother could talk to me.
The energy being displayed in this house so was so thick that I could hardly breath, let alone talk so I kept my mouth closed. In the mean time I scouted around the house to look for sign of struggle or movement. I didn’t locate anything but I did see that my door was cracked open. As my mom is walking out the room with my dad, I prepped myself for the worse case situation. (Witch is getting kicked out again)
So I take a deep breath and calmed my nervous. That way I can have more words together and now feel overwhelmed or all over the place. To be completely honest I don’t remember how the conversation started but I can tell it wasn’t good.
I do remember them asking me about my sexuality, then telling me how much of a disgrace I am to the family and so fourth.
In that moment I couldn’t take the pressure of living with them anymore. So I ran to my room and packed up what I could, while they was still yelling at me. Shoved everything in black bags and threw it in the back of my car and drove away.
Within that same night I call my boyfriend to tell him what going, and of course he is overwhelmed and don’t know what to do. He just want me to be safe and find a place to go for the night. I look around and find a place to park my car so that I can get my thought back in order. While I was taking the time to think, The crazy thought of moving to Atlanta pooped in my head.
I asked lucky “ how did he feel about me moving down?” He was excited but also kinda of scared. Especially after everything that just happened. So he gave me a hesitate “no” and honestly I respected that decision. After I regain my calm state of mind, I end the call with him. To call my bestie/ coworker to see if I can crash for a while.
As i an calling her I’m looking at prices for apartment, hotels , or basically just anything.
She finally picked up the phone and agreed to me staying for a while. As the day is coming to end I finally make it to my friend house.
I honestly didn’t have the strength or mental to unpacked. So u left Everything in my car and went up stairs to just rest for the night.
Now of course I didn’t get much during the night, but I got what I could before I had to be up in the morning for work.
As the sun is rising up and the Sun-rays blasting through the blinds, I’m just laying down looking at the ceiling fan. Wondering what it is I am going to do with my new life. (That thought lasted for literally a second ) I then got up and got myself ready for a work meeting. I want to skip it and sulk but my bestie ruby was not allowing me to sulk. So off to the meeting we go, but we stipple and get breakfast first.
Once we finally get to work, the meeting is some what getting started. I scope the room real fast, and i Am seeing all the big bosses in one room. Can we talk about intimidation! So we find us a seat to finish our McDonald’s breakfast.
I wasn’t eating much due to the fact. I was still looking for places to live and trying to figure out a game plan for my life. Then all of a sudden the light go dim, and music start to lightly play. Me being so distracted I honestly didn’t care and just continue my search.
As the man is speaking about our job performance and number and goal. I am still eating and searching for my new home. I then hear the man start talking about new job opportunities with in the company.
In this moment another thought crossed my mind. So I’m thinking it over, created myself a rough plan in my head. I then talked it over with my friend and got clearance on a few things and by golly I had a plan together. However it was still in complete and I had to get a upper boss approval.
My thought was to get a bosses approval, to pull my sales record, for the years I’ve been employed. Then once that has been reviewed I’ll ask for a promotion, but not just any promotion. I’ll ask to be a manager of a different store location. While also being in a different state as well.
For a min I thought it was crazy, like how can a 17 year old boy move states, right after graduation, getting kicked out and find a place to stay.
“I honestly don’t know but life is short and I’m usually good about doing think of the fly.” So I patiently wait for the begging to be over. While I continue my search for a place to live.
“This meeting could not be any longer “ as I scream to myself and throw my head in the table.
“The light turn on and the talking stops”
I raised my head to see what going on. Just to find out it was another speaker coming on stage. At this point I’m frustrated and stressed and walked out the meeting. As I’m rushing out the door to go to my car, I come across my boss, the district manager and area manager. Outside having a little group huddle among themself.
“This is my chance to put my plan in action”
As i excitedly continue my walk outside. I finally made it to the outside door, but I’m frozen in place. Scared to ask for help, nervous about my plan not being full proof. So I take a step back And try to calm myself before approaching the big bosses.
“I grit my teeth and punch the air”
Finally I get the courage to go outside. To present myself and my plan. As introduce myself to the bosses and discuss my plan with them. They just silently look at me I feel all this sudden pressure in my chest. Once I finally finished giving the detail of my offer. My store manager look at me and asked me if that was a risk I was willing to take.
I look around and scratched my head and say” honestly from the time I was born up until now. My whole entire life has been a risk, and yes I am terrified to be in a new state/ city all alone. I know the task and the journey will not be easy but I’d rather deal with being alone in a city of opportunity. Than to sit and be alone and watch my life just wash away, As if I never had one to begin with.
“I start to cry “
My district manager placed his hang on my head and told me to stop crying, that’s life was to short to cry over thing we can’t control. “ so I whipped my tears and try not to look at his face because I’m ugliest when I cry.
He also told me that he will take my offer into consideration, and gave me till the end of the month. To make a few call and see what he has available in his other stores. As i am still whipping my tear off my face. I informed him I don’t want just any state and store.
All my bosses stop and look at me. Confused Wondering what It is I am talking about. So my area manager asked me “what store and state are you wanting to move to.
My tears are finally removed from my face and my heart is filled with love. I look up in confidence and tell them all, I would like to move to a branch in Atlanta as soon as possible.
Everyone eyes almost jumped out they skull and in that moment I felt dumb for saying it. My distract manger smiled and looked at me With a stare so intimidating. I almost pissed on myself right in front of everyone.
He take a step closer to me, and he says “ that’s a large jump coming from Texas. Are you sure you could make that move alone.”
In this moment I didn’t think about what it all took to move. However I was determined and i was in love with lucky enough that I honestly I was ready to risk it all.
Therefore I made my choice and told my district manager that I was definitely ready and this if he can get my the position. I wouldn’t let him down and I would take care of the rest and be ready when the time came. So he shook my hand and thank me for the conversation. As he walking back into the meeting. He look back at me and tell me that he will be in contact and shit the door.
My smile went from ear to ear. I didn’t know if that was a yes or what, but I was just exited to have gotten through the hard part.
My boss look at me and tell me that I am a crazy kid and I better not make her look like a fool. Then we all head back inside for the meeting.
Moving forward down the week. I receive a call from My boss letting me know that they did find a position for me in Atlanta. However if I wanted it I had till the 28th of July to prove not only to my boss but to the team in Atlanta that I would be a good fit for the position.
I honestly got discouraged and lost confidence into skill due to the fact they only gave me less than 30 days to find a place to live and come up with the money to move. So it was definitely a good day but also depressing.
I informed my boss that I would take the position and accept the challenge, because worse case I’ll just be stuck in Texas. So I gave myself the weekend to relax and sulk and think thing completely through. While also packing and sorting through everything from my parent house.
In this moment I wanted to call lucky and talk it over with him about the choice I just made. So I attempted to call but ended up hanging up because I acutely wanted to surprise him.
For a year we attempted to see each other but failed and now I have the opportunity to move to his state and be with the man I love. I couldn’t think of a better way to surprise him and experience something that I’ve dreamed about for not only years but since the day I met him.
As the start of the weeks gets going. I only have one thing in my mind and that being next to my lover. So I had to bust my ass for the next month. applying for apartment, calculating up the cost to move, accumulating the move to move, while also trying to prove myself to my boss and the Atlanta team.
I thought high school and sports was tough but life just hit a little differently. Especially when you striving for your own dreams and aspirations.
As the time clock Is getting closer to the dead line. I’m trying to stay calm but my anxiety and stress are climbing through the roof. I feel overwhelmed with the pressure. I feel like I’m not going to make it to my goal and I’m so mentally exhausted.
Another week has gone by and I still haven’t heard anything from my boss, the house application or my distract manager. I have been working and saving and I can honestly say. I still haven’t made all the money for the move, but I am extremely close.
I am now in the middle of my week on the 2nd to last week of the deadline. For some reason I felt really confident in the week but still haven’t heard anything from either side. So I acutely took control of the situation and called my boss to see if they had any updates on the position and where I stand.
As I am on the phone waiting for her to pick up. I revive a email from the property manager in Atlanta in forming me of my acceptance. I got so excited that I hung up the phone with my so that I could call the property manger.
The call went straight to voicemail, so I just email her back and then forwarded that email to my boss. Before clocking Out for the end of my shift.
The end of the send week is approaching and the days are slowly just passing by. As if there was nothing major going on. It felt nice to just relax and a have a calm day at work. Even with everything that is has been going on.
I honestly didn’t even have a thought cross my mind about the move. Everything just kinda felt like it was falling into place. I hardly ever have moment like this so I was truly trying to enjoy it. The peaceful vibe not only in life, but within my mind as well.
“Out of the blue I hear a phone ring”
So I rush to the back thinking it was the store phone in the office, but couldn’t find the phone or find out where the ringing was coming from. So I’m searching all over looking for the store phone. When come to find out it was my phone that was ringing.
However, by the time I got to my phone. The call had already hung up. I didn’t have the number saved so I’m not sure who it is that called, but with everything that is going on I decided to give it a call back.
The call finally goes through and it’s ringing and ringing and ringing. I honestly was just going to hang up, because I thought it was a scam call. Right as I was about to hang up the phone a lady named Brittany picked up the phone.
So of course I introduce myself, “Hi my Bryan and I was just returning a miss call that I had from this number”. So she greet me back and goes straight into what she wanted to tell me.
“Hi this is Brittany from the Metro by T-Mobile in Atlanta and I was just giving you a call. To inform you that me and your district manager have been reviewing your number of the past few year and with your current boost in sales. We would like to offer you the position as store manager over a few location here in Atlanta.
When I tell you the blood in my body turned ice cold, and the whole roomed stopped. As if something out of this world just transpire. “I accept” couldn’t come out my mouth fast enough. So she finished explaining the Detail of position and the store I’ll be managing, but I honestly couldn’t even focos.
The thought of being in the arm of my man was literally starting to become a reality for me. Until after i got off the phone with Brittany and realized that I am still short a decent amount of money. On top of the dead line being basically a week away.
The peaceful good day has left the building folks. It literally skipped my mind that I was still short on funds. Even though it felt impossible and the Odds was stacked against me. I had to remind myself of everything I have accomplished just within the past few weeks.
The final days of the deadline is approaching, I still have yet to make the money for this trip. So I didn’t think I was going to be able to make the drive done to Atlanta. Within the few days I had left, so I start asking around to see if I could borrow some money until Further notice so that I am able to make my trip.
Sadly I was still short a few buck, and the day of departure was tomorrow, but honestly I wasn’t as stressed because I had money to make the drive just note night to cover the drive and down payment for the apartment, plus the first moment rent.
So I shrug my shoulders and finish packing my car with the rest of my belongings. After I finished up the last of my packing. I get ready to lay down, so that I am energized for this 12 hour drive tomorrow.
As im getting ready to lay down Lucky give me a call so that we Can talk about our day and sleep on the phone. He just always know what to do to make me smile.
Of course you know I can’t sleep due to me being on edge about the big move, but that not what I’m worried about the most. I’m
More worried about seeing lucky im person. I honestly never knew what I was so nervous meeting him. I’ve always worked in customer service and I’m a people person.
So meeting people and having conversations should be easy for me. Until I met him and I don’t know what it is. He just give me a field of butterflies and I get so nervous and discombobulated. I would hate to see how I act in person.
As he is sleeping and snoring in my ear. I am up thinking about all the possible that we talked about over the year. The butterflies that I had are now coming together to form a dragon. That soars gracefully in the clouds showing the world it’s rare beauty.
At this point I’m to excited to keep laying down, so I woke my friend up and said my goodbyes. It is time I hit the road and get this drive started.
As I am saying my goodbye to my bestie ruby and her girlfriend. I didn’t say goodbye to my family because I didn’t feel like I had anything to say. Nor did they even want to see or hear from me.
Finally I get on the road and I’m already dreading the drive. My heart is beating so uncontrollably but my mind is so determined.
I have never done something like this before. Should I go home and just face my problems?
What if he break up with me?
What if he a catfish?
I have so many thoughts im my head, but I looked down to see my baby still on the phone sleeping. Just gave me so much confidence to just risk it all and go.
I push down on the gas and push forward to a new chapter in my life regardless of where it take me. The trip was long and the sights was definitely beautiful.
I drive through so many beautiful city’s and states. It was his fully refreshing to see the world from the point of view that I saw it. Driving through the mountain, rain, thunder, under and over bridges. It was so mentally refreshing and I would definitely do it again with out hesitation.
As my drive come to a end I finally reach the state of Georgia. They way I was twerk in my car will be a moment I’ll never forget.
Onward to Georgia I said to myself, but with all that excitement. Trouble was not to far away, a few moment after driving into the state of Georgia. I experienced my first car wreck trying get off on a exit.
I turn my signal light on to turn into the left lane and the driver was kind enough to let me over. Right after I get into the lane this lady come rushing on trying to cut and get in front of everyone last minute. Witch cause everyone to hit they break and the following 3 cars including me all ran into each other causing a 4 car wreck.
Thankfully no was killed nor was the any major damaged to our cars. We all did receive a ticket from the officer. Witch honestly didn’t make sense but I was more focused on being 25 minutes away from my baby.
So once everything was said and done I got back on the road immediately. The closer I got to his house the more my heart pounded. Until the moment I acutely pulled up to his house.
My heart literally stopped and I didn’t know how to knock on the door. So instead I pulled over to his mail box and told him that I sent a package over to his place and that it just arrived.
So that he would need to hurry up and go sign the package before the driver just pulls off. He was so confused and kinda mad that I Bought something that needed to be signed. So he hurry up and hang up the phone, the. Rushed out to the mail box to sign and get the package.
As he is running the mail box to get the package. I’m in my car trying to brush my teeth and get myself ready to see him. I’m still so nervous but also very excited at The same times
Next thing you know I see him running to the mail box. In my review mirror and then I see him pull out his phone to give me a call. I picked the phone up and he is out of breath yelling and asking where is the package.
(As I’m getting out the car)
I tell him that it should be there and that the notifications informed me that it just got dropped off. So he is looking all over for the package and I slowly walk up to the mail box and he look at me but I don’t think he recognized me. So I hung the phone up and I asked him what was he looking for and he said that his boyfriend left him a Package. So I asked him if I could help look for it and that when he looked up at me and we both pause. The whole Earth just paused for a split of a second and all we could do was cry and smile.
I saw everything I needed to see, and he was just in shock. He then asked me why and what happen and so we went for a little walk and I’d explained everything to him. About my parent, my job and how I made the bold decision to move to Atlanta, transfer my job and get a place for us. Just so we can have a chance at living the dream we had always talked about.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Hi my name is Bryan Travon Tucker,
I honestly got into this field because I genuinely love making people smile. Growing up was very rough if not lonely for me. I know other out in the world or have a way worker life style. So I tried not to complain to much or at all, but I have always smiled my way through. My smile is my muse and it pushes me everything to do better. I also felt like growing up I disappointed my family, by simply just being me. Knowing that definitely weight a great amount on me for sure, but after facing my trails and tribulation head on. I can honestly say I am proud of myself and the man I have become. Since that day My goal is to make as many people happy with my own skills and talents.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Hooding society to a high standards
Growing up I never really revived the proper attention from my that I wanted but also needed. Especially living with the fact I was bullied and unwanted in my own home. I was always alone and very much independent. You would think I would be a antisocial hermano crab right.
That’s what I thought!
As someone is who genuinely nice and hesitate to give a helping hand. I would kinda expect the same hospitality in return.
That’s my greatest down fall!
People letting me down is something, I’ve experienced time and time again. I honestly hate that I have to be mean to people. If only everyone can just genuinely be considered, compassionate and logical. Life will just be a tad bit better, but I feel society is to selfish for that.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My mission in life is to spread as much joy and laughter as possible.
There is to much awareness on all the sadness going on in this world,
So I would like to change that even if it just a inch.
Showing people that there is more to life than just sadness.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tiktok.com/@itzbryantee?_t=8UqCMHnyQkE&_r=1
- Instagram: Itzbryantee
- Facebook: Itzbryantee
- Twitter: Itzbryantee
- Youtube: Itzbryantee