I watched my spirited 4-year-old daughter, Lucy, strut around the public pool with uncontainable joy, closely following her swim instructor while being trailed by her best pal, Max. Max is a feisty little guy who can definitely dish out sass right back at her, but he’s also a sweet soul who often gives in to her whims. Despite the usual preschool drama, their bond is genuine; they have each other’s backs in new situations and communicate in a language only they comprehend. My partner, Jake, and I often joke that we hope they tie the knot someday!
As I settled at a picnic table in the park next to the pool, I watched my 2-year-old twin boys, Leo and Finn, munching on snacks, flanked by two of our dear friends’ daughters. We lovingly refer to each other as “family,” even if there’s no blood connection. My partner and I are their “aunties,” and their parents are our kids’ “uncle” and “aunt.” We’ve crafted our family from the love we share with those around us.
After doing my usual mom scan of the park and pool for any signs of chaos, I nonchalantly glanced at my phone, pretending to check the time. Let’s be honest; without my kids tugging at me for snacks or attention, I was ready for a quick scroll through social media.
What I saw made my heart skip a beat. I knew the Supreme Court must have reached its decision on marriage equality. My world felt like it paused, while everyone around me continued with their laughter, laughter, and sunscreen applications. I opened Facebook, my heart racing, and there it was: “Supreme Court Legalizes Gay Marriage Nationwide.” I blinked away tears, trying to refocus. My feed was ablaze with posts celebrating love, filled with rainbow flags from friends, family, and organizations.
In that moment, I glanced back at my boys, who were busy jamming pretzel sticks into their mouths, and I saw Lucy in the pool, floating on a noodle and kicking her legs with glee. I looked down at my wedding band, a symbol of my union with Jake since 2001. Living in Vermont, one of the first states to allow civil unions and gay marriage, has been a blessing. But many same-sex couples across the country still weren’t able to marry—until today.
The Human Rights Campaign has been advocating tirelessly with hashtags like #LoveCantWait and #LoveMustWin, and it struck me how true that is. Love doesn’t wait; it’s already won in my life. I fell head over heels for Jake long before any laws were passed. With our three kids, we’ve navigated through civil unions, marriage licenses, and all sorts of legal paperwork to secure our family. We’ve fought and triumphed, just like many other same-sex couples who have been fueled by love. Laws can now protect that love and the children who fill our homes with joy.
All we’ve ever wanted is the same rights as our heterosexual neighbors. We’ve fought for equality, holding our breath in spaces where our relationships weren’t recognized, and pleading for courts to acknowledge us as parents, even when biology didn’t align. Love doesn’t wait; it fights. Love will always overcome, no matter how much ignorance, bigotry, and fear try to hold it down.
In the case of marriage equality, love has triumphed, thanks to the support of allies, friends, and open-minded strangers. With a gavel’s strike, five out of nine judges recognized that my family and countless others deserve “equal dignity in the eyes of the law.”
So what’s next? Sure, there will still be protests and some negativity, but the fight for what’s right will be less intense. Equality is inherently right. There will be weddings, celebrations, and families growing stronger. The specifics of how all this unfolds may still be a bit unclear, but watching my kids interact with others at the park fills me with hope and joy.
I have no idea who Lucy or Max will choose to marry one day, but they now have the choice to marry someone of the same gender if that’s what they want. Future generations will grow up with this reality, and with it, acceptance will flourish. Kindness and happiness will follow in love’s footsteps. Love will always prevail—it’s been ordered so.
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Summary
This piece reflects on the joy of witnessing the progression of love and acceptance in the realm of marriage equality. Through personal anecdotes and heartfelt observations, the author emphasizes the importance of family, community, and the enduring strength of love. The Supreme Court’s decision to legalize gay marriage symbolizes a monumental victory for equality, paving the way for future generations to embrace love in all its forms.