On January 6th, Florida made history by becoming the 36th state to legalize same-sex marriage. My partner, Jamie, and I were more than ready for this moment. After eight years of building a life together, intertwining our finances (COUGH-he pays for everything-COUGH), and raising our adorable child for four years, we were excited to take the plunge.
While most people envision weddings filled with stunning flowers and meticulously planned ceremonies, our big day was anything but traditional. Ours was the “Oh my gosh, we can finally get married—let’s do this!” type of wedding, and I’ll tell you why it was so much better than the usual affair.
11. Zero Planning Required
Typical weddings often involve years of planning and worrying about every tiny detail. What kind of table settings should we use? Where will the guests sit? Not for us! We simply sent out a Facebook invite: “Meet us at the courthouse in three days! We’re tying the knot!” Easy peasy. Our officiant just happened to show up outside!
10. We Had a Crew
Many couples feel nervous when it’s just the two of them making such a big life decision. But when you’re marrying alongside a bunch of other couples, it feels less intimidating. Our number at the courthouse was A26, and trust me, that felt way more special than a conventional wedding. As my mom used to say, “If everyone is doing it, there’s probably a good reason.”
9. Our Child Was There
Traditional weddings usually celebrate couples before they become families, which feels backwards to us. Thankfully, as same-sex parents, we were able to raise our child long before we could legally marry. Having our little one, Noah, there made the day complete.
8. Costs? What Costs?
The average wedding can set you back thousands with fancy dresses, venues, and catering. Our wedding? A couple of rings and a new outfit—bam! Done!
7. No Stripping Required
The police officers present at our wedding were the real deal—not strippers. (A downside, I guess, if that’s your thing.)
6. Midnight Madness
Who gets married at 12:01 AM on a Tuesday? We do! It might sound silly, but there’s something rebelliously cool about it. And let me tell you, sipping on a guilt-free Starbucks at 8 PM felt like a mini-celebration in itself.
5. Government Office Glam
Okay, so it might seem mundane to get married in a government building, but think about it: it’s a unique juxtaposition. We navigated metal detectors, received numbers, and shuffled to a room that felt like the DMV mixed with a pride parade. It was surreal and exhilarating to be surrounded by other couples and news reporters.
4. Local Officials Were Present
Did the elected County Clerk and County Sheriff show up at your wedding? I didn’t think so. So, take that!
3. Shared Anniversaries
Now, when friends mention their wedding anniversaries, we can proudly say, “Oh, us too! January 6th!” If you’re from Florida and share this date, you might just be a fabulous gay couple. We also got to celebrate with two incredible women, Ava and Mia, who mean the world to us.
2. Love, Love, Love
At the end of the day, the best part of our marriage is the love we share—not just between us, but also from our family and friends. Growing up, I never thought this day would come. The journey to acceptance has been long and challenging, but this moment was worth every struggle.
1. Gratitude and Joy
Our celebration wasn’t just another wedding; it was a victory. We received an overwhelming amount of love, from cards to messages and social media shout-outs. It felt incredible, showing how meaningful our union is in a world where we had to fight for equality. Love is love.
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In summary, our marriage story is one of love, community, and the joy of finally celebrating equality.