Check Out Burton Buffaloe & Dustin Smith’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Burton Buffaloe & Dustin Smith.

Hi Burton & Smith, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
We are an all-American family living in Raleigh, NC. Our story started 15 years ago when we met at a mutual friend’s house party. We were friends for a long time, and as years went by, things shifted, and our relationship grew beyond our friendship.

We got married in 2014 and welcomed our beautiful twins five years ago via surrogacy. We initially started documenting our adventures on social media via Instagram mainly because we were just proud parents. However, it quickly became more than that, seeing the importance of two gay men in the south breaking barriers and educating the broader community about the importance of gay rights and equality.

Families come in all different genders, colors, and dynamics, and it’s imperative for us as dads to teach our children about love and acceptance. So, during the Pandemic, we decided to launch our YouTube channel, and the love of that community has been incredible. Having more storytelling helps open the conversation on important issues, relationships, and parenting tips and allows us to be a resource for all.

In 2020, we bought farmland in Garner, NC, with the hopes of creating a fully functioning farm; this is a legacy we ultimately want to leave for our kids, and we have been documenting the progress of this project. This property is particularly special because it’s been in Burton’s family for generations and sits on Lake Benson.

We were fortunate enough to acquire enough space where, in addition to a growing operation and alpaca farming, we’re planning on creating a farm market and conservatory, that doubles as an event venue. We can’t wait to welcome you all to Holl & Stone Farms where we will have unique experiences for the community to come together.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way? If we said things have always been a smooth road, we’d be lying. Growing up, we never thought it could be a reality to be two gay, married men living in the south who are now parents via surrogacy.

A few years back, we were grocery shopping with the kids, and a woman came up to us exclaiming, “it’s so nice that you’re giving your wives a break today from the kids.” We’ve received many remarks like these, but once we explained that we’re married and these are our kids, people in the community have been incredibly accepting. There’s always the fear that someone may not accept us within the community. However, acceptance goes beyond a straight/gay issue; we all long to feel loved.

Therefore, we think it’s vital for us to continue to break down barriers – our children deserve to live in a world where everyone is equally respected and celebrated regardless of gender, sexual orientation, and race. Parenting hasn’t always been a smooth road either, but we recognize and celebrate that it’s the most important job we’ll ever have. There’s truly nothing that could prepare you for the humbling, beautiful moment when you hold your children for the first time.

Reliving all of the amazing adventures through our kids’ eyes has been so rewarding. The beautiful moments always outweigh short-term struggles. We must lead by example; it’s not about going through hardships; it’s how we handle each situation. We hope our children embrace this life lesson and learn how to handle struggles with confidence and grace.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
What role has luck (good luck or bad luck) played in your life and business? Without a doubt, we are very blessed. Of course, we would love to attribute our beautiful life to luck, but truthfully it has to do with hard work, kindness, and dedication. Whether professional, within relationships, or in personal growth, the results are always positive when you put in the work.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbbuffaloe//@dustin_patrick_smith
• Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/dustin_patrick_smith/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DustinBurtonRaisingBuffaloes
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@dustin_and_burton