I got married on the first day of fall.
After almost an entire year of dreaming, planning, list making, crafting and organizing our day had finally arrived. The day started cold and cloudy, with light rain. We were worried about our hopes to have an outdoor event. However, not long before the ceremony started the clouds parted and sun began to shine. Many wedding guests marveled at the sight of a flock of geese taking off right before the procession over the stage where the ceremony took place. I imagine it to be something you would expect to see in a movie, a sign that the occasion was blessed.
I walked toward the stage to the sounds of piano and cello being played live from the stage. As I passed my friends and family who had gathered to witness our celebration of love I smiled, and held back tears of gratitude. I met my love at the bottom of the stairs and we held hands as we walked up to the stage, where we joined our some of our closest friends, and three incredible pastors.
The ceremony was exactly what we planned it to be. Each detail carefully chosen to exemplify our love and our personalities. There were words of welcome, and a prayer. There was a beautiful solo. There was a community response in which all 160 guests stood up and voiced their support for us as we started this new phase in our relationship. It was powerful. There were ribbons and rings and self written vows. There was scripture and some amazing remarks by our pastors including a retelling of how our relationship had evolved. There was a proclamation that we would be together forever, and right before the blessing there was a kiss.
Following the ceremony we celebrated with a BBQ complete with local meats and veggie burgers, lawn games, and a great little band. Many guests proclaimed that it was the most beautiful, meaningful wedding ceremony they had ever attended. Our hearts were full of love.
As you all know in a couple of days we will vote on rather or not the state of Maine should legally recognize weddings such as ours. You see, I am a woman, who married another woman. We had a lovely, amazing, beautiful ceremony, which was really important to us, but legally, my wife and I are roommates. If, God forbid, something were to happen to one of us we are not guaranteed hospital visits with one another. We cannot inherit each others property. We cannot file joint taxes. When we have children the ramifications of not being legally married multiply. There are hundreds of rights that married couples have (they probably don't even realize it) that my wife and I don't have. The state of Maine can vote next week to give me those rights, to strengthen and protect my family, this marriage that is already very real. I don't need a marriage certificate to validate my relationship, but it would be nice.
Same-sex marriages ARE happening, and will continue to happen regardless of how the state of Maine votes on Tuesday. People will continue to commit themselves to spend their lives with the person they love. They will stand up in front of their family and friends and declare that love. Same-sex couples will continue to have children, and raise families. That cannot be taken away. I am just hoping that when voters in the state of Maine go to the polls they will stand up and say " Your love is real, and strong and good, and we value your place in our community," just like our friends and family members did on the first day of fall.
