Chasten Buttigieg on His 'Meet-Cute' First Date with Mayor Pete

Chasten Buttigieg, who is married to gay presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg, has become something of a personality in his own right over the past few months, thanks in part to his lively Twitter presence. At a Human Rights Campaign event in Houston earlier this month, Buttigieg peppered a speech about LGBTQ rights with good-natured humor, saying, "I could be the first man in history to pick out the White House china."

In a new video for Now This, Buttigieg spoke about the inspiring feedback he's gotten from people around the country. He also talked about his first date with the South Bend, Ind., mayor.

"Our first date -- it was actually supposed to be coffee, but I got stuck in rush hour traffic getting out of Chicago. So we moved it to dinner," Buttigieg said.

"I pulled up in front of his house to pick him up, he opened the door and we both said 'howdy' at the same time and then we both said, 'What? That's my word!'" Buttigieg added. "It was kind of a cute meet-cute."

Buttigieg went on to share that he was inspired to become a teacher because of one of his teachers who provided a safe space for kids.

"I wanted to be the teacher in the room that made kids feel like their dreams mattered," he said.

Since Pete Buttigieg began seeking the presidency, the husbands have traveled the country and met with LGBTQ people who've reached out and thanked them for their strength and visibility.

"I'm really overwhelmed with the amount of mail I'm getting and the messages I'm getting from people across the country," Chasten Buttigieg said.

"From teenagers who are living in small, rural communities, in traditionally red states, who are saying, 'Thank you so much for stepping up and for being who you are. I really admire you and your husband for being really brave.'"

"I'm really happy to carry the torch. And bravely and proudly carry the banner for our community and for everyone," he added. "This campaign is love, and you are love and you matter."