When we were first honored with the SouthEast LeatherFest Master/slave title in 2024, we entered this journey with open hearts, a commitment to service, and a deep respect for the traditions of our community. The experience has been transformative, stretching us in ways we couldn’t have imagined and drawing us closer together in our dynamic. From leading workshops to mentoring new faces and representing our region with pride, every moment has been a reminder of why we stepped into this space in the first place: to grow, to serve, and to carry the torch for those who came before us.

Being asked to continue our title journey into 2025 is an unexpected and deeply humbling honor. It tells us that our efforts have resonated, that our presence has mattered, and that we are being trusted with another year to continue building something meaningful. This is not a second chance—it is the next chapter. We accept this invitation with gratitude, knowing full well that this path is one of responsibility, visibility, and purpose. We are committed to holding this space with integrity and continuing to show up not just for ourselves, but for the entire Master/slave and Leather community that walks alongside us.

Our journey is far from over. There is still work to be done, stories to be told, and connections to nurture. In 2025, we aim to deepen our outreach, amplify the voices of those who are too often unheard, and finish the work we began—not with a sense of finality, but with the hope that we are contributing to something far larger than ourselves. Thank you, SELF, for believing in us. We carry this title forward with renewed passion, unwavering devotion, and a fierce love for the Leather path we walk together.

In early July, we traveled to Colorado Springs to attend the SouthWest Master/slave Conference, a powerful gathering that celebrates education, connection, and authenticity within our community. The event was not only enriching but deeply grounding, offering us the opportunity to learn, share, and grow among friends and chosen family who understand the dynamics of trust, communication, and leadership that define our lives. Surrounded by wisdom, laughter, and unity, we left the conference feeling both inspired and renewed.

However, our return home was met with unimaginable tragedy. On the very same day, an accident nearly claimed the lives of two beloved family members, shaking us to the core. During crisis, the outpouring of love and support from our community was nothing short of extraordinary. Friends stepped forward without hesitation, offering understanding, assistance, and compassion that allowed us the space to focus on healing and recovery. In a time when we needed to step back and take care of those closest to us, we were reminded just how strong and connected our community truly is, proving once again that family extends far beyond blood.

Holding a Master/slave title for a second year has brought a depth of meaning we could not have fully understood when we first stepped into this role. The honor remains profound, but the responsibility has grown heavier and more nuanced with time. Living this dynamic publicly while nurturing it privately requires constant communication, humility, and resilience. We have faced moments of doubt, fatigue, and the very real pressures that come from balancing title obligations with careers, family responsibilities, and the quiet work of maintaining our relationship. Through it all, we have been reminded that titles are not sustained by pageantry alone, but by consistency, accountability, and the willingness to grow—even when growth is uncomfortable.

We are deeply grateful to those who have supported us throughout this journey: our friends, our chosen family, and the community members who offered encouragement, honesty, and grace when we needed it most. In particular, we want to thank the staff of SouthEast LeatherFest, whose dedication, professionalism, and care create a space where titles, traditions, and people truly matter. Their behind-the-scenes labor often goes unseen, but it is felt in every moment of connection and belonging they foster. We cannot wait to see you all again in April, to reconnect, to celebrate, and to continue this path together with renewed purpose and gratitude.

✨🏰 Chasing the Magic – Our Journey to International Master/slave 🏰✨

As many of you know, we have begun preparing to run for the International Master/slave title… and oh my goodness, what a journey it already is. 💫

This season feels a little like stepping into our own enchanted storybook. Not because it’s fantasy but because it requires courage, heart, intention, and a whole lot of belief in something bigger than ourselves.

We’ve been deep in the castle library (okay… our dining room table 😂) drafting, rewriting, and polishing words that reflect our journey the triumphs, the mistakes, the lessons, and the growth. We want our speech to feel authentic and powerful… less “scripted royalty” and more real love story with battle scars and wisdom earned.

We’re refining how we present not just what we do but who we are. Leadership, service, rural outreach, building community… how do you capture years of devotion and growth in just a few minutes on stage? It feels a bit like preparing for the royal ball except instead of glass slippers, it’s vulnerability and integrity that have to fit perfectly.

And let’s talk about the wardrobe adventure! We are on a full Cinderella-meets-royal-court quest to find the perfect looks.
• Something that honors leather tradition 🖤
• Something that feels regal without losing authenticity 👑
• Maybe just a whisper of “Beauty and the Beast ballroom energy” 🕯️🌹
• A dash of “Prince & Princess walking into their destiny” magic ✨

No fairy godmother yet… but we are definitely searching for that “this is the one” moment when the outfit reflects the gravity and the dream of the title.

At the end of the day, this isn’t about crowns or applause. It’s about representation. It’s about bringing resources to smaller communities, sharing our lived experiences, and showing that leadership can come from rural spaces with big hearts.

Thank you to everyone cheering us on, offering feedback, listening to practice runs, and being part of our village. Every hero needs a fellowship. 🏰✨

The magic isn’t in the title.
The magic is in the journey.

As we step down after two unforgettable years representing SouthEast LeatherFest, we do so with hearts full of gratitude and pride. This journey has challenged us, shaped us, and reminded us daily of the responsibility and honor this title carries. To the staff and the Director, your dedication, trust, and tireless work behind the scenes made it possible for us to serve with integrity and purpose, thank you for believing in us and for creating a space where leadership and authenticity can thrive. To our supporters, friends, and chosen family across the community, your encouragement carried us through every high and low; you reminded us why this title matters. It has been our privilege to stand in this role, and as we pass it forward, we do so with deep respect for what comes next and enduring love for the family we have served.

July 19 - 21, 2024 TLC Stars and Stripes Run www.tarheelleatherclub.org
July 21, 2024 The Line Presentation Walk_TheLine_NC https://fetlife.com/users/17648668 
August 18, 2024 The Line Panel Discussion   
August 25, 2024 CASE Jolted But Not Broken
August 29, 2024 - September 2, 2024 Master/slave Conference
October 5, 2024 PRISM Alfred Pennyworth Style of Powerful Service Wilmington NC
October 12 - 13, 2024 Atlanta Pride
November 21 - 24, 2024 Coastal Carolina Fetish Fair Myrtle Beach SC
November 24, 2024 CASE Have You Ever Danced with Your Demons
December 7, 2024 The Chamber Kinston NC
January 12, 2025 MAsT Greenville SC Jolted But Not Broken
February 8, 2025 The Woodshed Orlando FL - Tenative

As we look back and reflect on our contestant journey for SELF 2024 we are reminded of our
growth as Master and slave. Winning the Southeast Master/slave title is a culmination of many
years starting in 2006 when we first met at a coffee shop in Jacksonville NC after chatting online on Bondage.com for several months. Neither of us is from large cities nor areas, we live in a small community where many know very little about leather.

Winning the Southeast Master/slave title was amazing, exhilarating, and very humbling with a sprinkle of “Oh Shit We did it, now what do we do.? We have now spent the last couple of weeks formulating our plan to represent the Southeast as best we can.

One thing we look forward to doing in our title year is working on shining a light on the smaller rural communities like where we live, they are often not known in the larger community, they lack the same resources as larger communities, and many may not even know that events such
as self is something they can do. How can we help those in smaller communities have the needed access to larger events and how do we help them utilize those larger events to help them on their journey? In doing this we also want to continue to spread the word on SAFEINENC and help communities establish their safe call network. We also want to continue to share our passion for advocating for the needed mental healthcare in our community to include those who are veterans.
We know all of this sounds like a lot but all of this is a huge passion of ours and something we want to share with others.

All that we are and all that we plan to do in our title year would not be possible without the
support of many, and the opportunity that SELF has afforded us. So...First, we would like to
thank Southeast Leather Fest and Lady Catherine Gross, the board, staff, volunteers, and all
the sponsors, you gave your heart and tens of thousands of hours to create an amazing event
and contest year after year. We are so grateful for everything you do for the community.

We also want to say thank you and give a loud shout-out to Ms. Bettie for being our handler
before, during, and after the event! You always have kept a cool, collected composure, and
during SELF 2024 you were a beacon of light which was needed in unexpected ways. Thank
you to the Emcee Dave Hudson who provided all the constants with support and love, plus
some great comic relief which is always needed.

Thank you to the Den Mafia, we have no idea how any of us would have made it through this contest without you! You all were on point, and there for any of our needs, the Den Mafia is such an invaluable part of this experience, and we cannot thank you enough.

With the support and encouragement of the local Jacksonville NC community, we put our best foot forward and ran for the 2024 M/s title. Thank you to our amazing local community for all the support you have given us.

To our family both biological and chosen you are the best family we could ask for. To our adult
biological children, you were supporting and encouraging as we embarked on this journey of
running for the M/s Title. We love you! Our Chosen Family consisting of, Master Roy and ABJ
who took us under your wing many years ago, provided mentorship which has been a huge part of our growth. There are no words that can express how grateful we are. We love you! Poe, Master Chris, and slave dana, you are the best chosen family anyone could ask for.

To the judges Oracle Uncle J Onyx, Mark Athens, Tomo Tomo, Joy Perez, Miss Meesch, and Evie Lupine. We cannot say enough about the wisdom you shared, and we look forward to seeing all of you again soon!

A HUGE Thank you to everyone who has helped us get to this point as well as those who will continue to help us on this next journey.

It has been a crazy few months, We have been busy in our local community in helping provide a safe and inclusive space for people to socialize and play. The difference between now and what we did before is we bring not only the title back but loads of information on the amazing learning and experiences one can have at SouthEast LeatherFest so more people can experience SELF. We were able to spend time and be a part of Tarheel Leather Run, which was amazing experience showing us the continued love, support and sense of family that we have come to know in the Southeast Region. We have also had great times attending and teaching for newer organizations such as CASE and PRISM, where we shared elements of our relationship that have helped on our Journey. Being Master Aaron is quite the comic book geek we were even able to show how we have used fictional characters and roles such as that of Alfred Pennyworth to expand how people view service from both the Master and slave perspective. We also have been using our title and the ability it gives us to attend groups, socials, munches and events that we have never attended which in turn allows us to not only share with others the speed bump we have tackled in our M/s dynamic but also the rewards and successes. It has also allowed us the opportunity to talk more about the importance of supporting those living with PTSD with additional emphasis on first responders and veterans.

As we are always spreading the word about the importance of safe calls and utilizing organizations such as SAFEINENC if you need a safe call, we also partnered with SAFEINENC to do a fundraising campaign for those recently affected by Hurricane Helen.

Coming up we are VERY excited to be heading to Atlanta Pride this coming weekend. We are also heading to CAPEX the end of the month, Coastal Carolina Fetish Fair in November where we will also be teaching and hosting a formal dinner. Closer to home we will be presenting online for CASE and heading right up the road to Kinston NC to present for The Chamber.

It always seems to us that time passes faster than we would prefer, and, in a blur, moments tend to shape and steer the course of our journey. When we last shared what has been keeping us busy, we were headed to Atlanta Pride.

We hopped a flight to Atlanta and every step we took from arriving at the airport was seemingly filled with visions of support from the communities of Atlanta. Those walking through, either rushing to a flight elsewhere or arriving, showing their Pride and/or support, whether by the clothes they choose to wear or other manners of icon, stickers on suitcases or luggage bands to help hold in the contents. We were awe struck more than a few times, as coming from a small military town, we have not had the pleasure of witnessing such unwavering advocacy.

Walking around Midtown, passing posters in windows, flags hanging high from the side of buildings. Heading to the park to walk around, seeing the performances on stage, vendors handing out free swag and selling goods. We were very thankful for being allowed to march in the Parade, carrying the banner for SouthEast LeatherFest, even though the route was miles long, it passed much too quickly. I remember going to other parades for various holidays and the only time I saw people smiling was when there was candy being tossed out or various characters in costumes come by to shake hands. This was something totally different, while walking down the many streets, trying to keep in a decent pace with the rest of the floats and groups, people in the crowds were coming up to us, giving hugs and fist bumps, asking to grab a picture with them and the never-ending echo of “Happy Pride” that seemed to follow us all.

We also attended Charlotte Area Power EXchange (CAPEX) for their yearly Halloween Extravaganza. Who we really want to thank for the invitation to an amazing party and demonstration. The laughter and comradery were everything we had heard it was and more. We look forward to the next time we can get away to attend another event!

The week before Thanksgiving, we headed to Mrytle Beach to attend Coast Carolina Fetish Fair. We have been fortunate to be asked to present for them since the very first year and every year, not only do they grow larger in attendance, but in presenters and classes. This year was the 9th year and although November at Myrtle Beach tends to be a little cold for a swim in the ocean, it was a relaxing time.

These were all amazing times for us, which led to the beginning of the holidays. We were even blessed to be called by our son, who let us know that our grandson decided to arrive a few days earlier than anticipated.

We are also grateful to Lady Catherine, the staff of SouthEast LeatherFest, the contest judges, our title family and title parents for such amazing support and advice as we navigate our title run. We were nervous with the idea of trying to balance our duties as title holders for the SouthEast and our responsibilities to our family during the end of the year, holidays and unfortunate drama that tends to appear. It certainly makes having a chosen family much more important, knowing that you can reach out and bounce ideas, ask for help, vent when the weight of things appear to be a little too much. The same feeling of family that we get while attending SELF, carries throughout and we cannot wait to return in June just for the opportunity to see all of our chosen family in one place again.

The holidays came so quickly, and we were gifted with the chance to finally meet the youngest born into the family. Gifts exchanged and the nights passing, the new year upon us and gone before one could realize it.
We took time after the holidays to recollect our energy from all the running around the previous months. Some of which was forced upon us and although necessary, was tough to accept. We look forward to being able to resume our travels and presentations.

We feel as though we cannot thank everyone enough for the amazing amount of support and guidance, we have received from all over the world. The experiences shared with us, the lessons learned by those who unfortunately had the same situation forced upon them and how they were able to come out on the other side, wiser and stronger because they did not give up.

The one common thread, extending from one to another as if forged in the fires of heartache and the softest of silk, you cannot solve the world’s problems, and you certainly cannot save them all.

Be available for yourself to rejuvenate your soul and know that there is a community that has been there and will help you through it.

As they say, March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. For us our work/family life has definitely been the lion, and we have been able to find the calm within our community. We have been working hard to share the wonders of Southeast Leatherfest with many who have no clue the big wide world of leather even existed. We have found some amazing groups and organizations that had not been on our radar and have worked with their leaders to bring education on M/s and kink. In doing so we have met many who we feel may be SELF virgins this year.

We are frequently asked by others that are considering running for a title, “Would you do it all over again?” and every answer we have given is a resounding YES. Always be true to yourself, even in the face of adversity. Run for the title of your choosing. Hold yourself and others accountable for the actions that affect others. We have also Learned through our title year experience, that there will be others, some you have never met, standing by you, raising you up with their voices in support of the work you do, which is amazing to witness.

As we head into the home stretch of our title year, we have quite a busy schedule coming up and are looking forward to SELF 2025!

 Embracing Growth and Gratitude: Reflections on Holding the SouthEast LeatherFest Master/slave Title

To the friends, allies, and members of the SouthEast LeatherFest community, I am profoundly moved as I reflect on the journey of holding the SouthEast LeatherFest Master/slave title. This path, while rich with triumphs and moments of connection, was not without its challenges. Yet, these very challenges became the crucible through which we grew, learned, and evolved, not just as titleholders but as individuals committed to the values of integrity, service, and authenticity that this community holds dear.

When we first embarked on this journey, we were filled with anticipation and a sense of purpose. Yet, as is often the case, the reality of wearing this title brought trials we could never have foreseen. It required us to navigate the pressures of public representation, the vulnerability of sharing our dynamic with the world, and the constant balancing act between personal growth and communal responsibility. Each challenge tested our resolve but, more importantly, deepened our understanding of what it means to serve and to lead within this extraordinary community.

One of the most difficult moments in our journey came when our aspirations of running for the International Title were unexpectedly cut short. This was a poignant reminder that goals may shift, and paths may diverge, but the spirit of service remains steadfast. In that moment of disappointment, we made a vow, a solemn promise to redirect our energy and focus outward, to support and uplift others in their journeys, just as we had been supported along ours.

And so, we turned our gaze toward the community, seeking ways to contribute, to inspire, and to nurture the sense of connection that lies at the heart of SouthEast LeatherFest. It has been a humbling and rewarding experience to channel our passion into fostering growth in others, to encourage new voices to rise, and to witness the vibrancy and strength of this ever-evolving family.

None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support and dedication of the SouthEast LeatherFest Board, Staff, and Volunteers. To each of you, we extend our deepest gratitude. Your tireless efforts behind the scenes, your commitment to creating a space where people can explore, learn, and grow, and your belief in the power of this community have been a beacon of inspiration. Thank you for building and maintaining the foundation upon which we have all stood.

As we move forward, we carry with us not only the lessons learned but also the profound joy of having been part of something greater than ourselves. This title was never merely a designation; it was, and continues to be, a call to action, a challenge to embody the principles of respect, education, and support that define who we are as a community.

To those who may follow in our footsteps, know this: the journey is not easy, but it is worth every moment. The challenges you face will shape you; the community you serve will uplift you; and the person you become through it all will surprise you in ways you cannot yet imagine.

Thank you, SouthEast LeatherFest, for the opportunity to grow, the chance to serve, and the privilege of standing among you. Together, we are stronger, more resilient, and more connected than ever.

Thank you.