Friday the 13th March 2015

Today was the day that we went to the courthouse and got our marriage license. It was so exciting , I can't imagine what next Friday will feel like when we actually go to get married.

I captured a few shots before , during and after our trip to the courthouse.

The actual marriage license -taken right outside the courthouse

We are doing this! 

Taken right before we walked out the door to head to the courthouse

I was so nervous doing the e-file that I kept clicking on the wrong things. 

Taken right outside the courthouse after getting our license 

wow..what a day! xox

I'd better go get some sleep, we are watching my 7 month old great nephew tomorrow while his parents move into their first home together. Life is good. Feeling blessed in so many ways.

January 31 2015

Good Morning!
I've been a little crazy with work and wedding planning. Things are really coming together as much as they can , being over 200 days out. I think we nailed down the location this last week but have not gotten the forms in the mail to make it official yet so I am not over  worrying about that yet.
I asked  my best friend Stephanie to be my matron of honor (I will call her maid of honor because matron sounds so grandmotherly) , I've gotten my dress, we've picked a catering company and we are working on the DJ!

The scales are going in the right direction and I hope to lose about a pound a week before the wedding...maybe that was trick..getting something planned ahead to motivate me.

Anyway...I will check in again later, the time is getting away from me this morning and I've got to go to work. This is one of our busiest times at work with all of the snowbirds coming down and checking into their condos. The only other time that is  as crazy is spring break.

Have a wonderful weekend !

1/6/2015 -1/13/2014 Same Sex Marriage in Florida is Legal!!

1/6/2015   It finally happened. Same sex couples can get married starting today in Florida. We have several friends that got married today, made the front news of the papers , were on the news and made history.Very Exciting. Vic and I are starting to plan for our October wedding...the date is yet to be determined.

I left this morning for work and drove by the Venice courthouse. There was a crowd out front. From US41 I could see the big rainbow flags and the large gathering by the front door (where they perform ceremonies at our court house) All of a sudden tears sprung to my eyes. I honked in approval and called Vic. My tears were not for myself. I really didn't plan on getting married again, my tears were for all of the couples that now don't have to feel like second class citizens ,my tears and emotions were for equality.  The first time I went to Sacramento to see Vic we went to a rally at the capital for Prop 8 and now here we are 7 years later able to get married in our own state! Video from that day :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZOIWJXY-b0

1/13/2015   So , since last Tuesday we have looked at venues , come up with the kind of wedding we want, asked one of my dear friends to perform the ceremony, changed our date from October to November, Picked out and ordered our rings and have had endless discussions about all things wedding. It is so exciting! We both agree that we want a spiritual (not religious) ceremony surrounded by our friends and family that have supported us along the way and share in our journey.

Holy smokes there is a lot to do /consider when planning a wedding! My niece is getting married in December so I'm trying not to step on any toes and duplicate anything she may be doing for her wedding. Not sure if that is a real struggle or just something I've created in my brain but I think it's only respectful. I don't think I'd want a friend or family member having a wedding right before me with any of my ideas/plans etc. I think I'll talk to her and make sure she isn't feeling resentful.

I am not the most patient person and want it all planned and done like yesterday so this is not the easiest thing for me to do. I think once we nail down the venue/reception location I'll feel better. Oh who am I kidding...next it will be "once I order the invitations, or once I plan the menu, or order the cake " it's never ending. :)

I will try and not turn this blog into a never ending bridezilla diary but I can't promise anything ha!
When I get too crazy Vic is kind to remind me "It has only been legal for (fill in the blank number) of days.

Immediate Goals:
Get nails done before we get the rings!
Secure the location for the ceremony and reception.
Start on a fitness plan to get more lbs off by wedding day.

Enjoy my Pinterest wedding board! http://www.pinterest.com/floridaholly/my-big-gay-wedding-planner/

Equal Rights

This week Vic (my partner) and I have been getting our affairs in order. We've seen an attorney to have our wills drawn up, power of attorney, medical power of attorney done and looked into life insurance and what will best protect us in case one of us would fall ill or die.

I know so many people  think the only reason gay people fight for gay marriage is so that we can have a ceremony and all the hoop la of a wedding. That is so far from the reason that most of us want marriage to be a legal option for us. It's more so we have the same rights as a married couple has. It's unfair that we have to spend so much more money just to protect ourselves. When we buy a home together we have to do it as joint tenants with the right of survivorship.

I know we have civil unions and domestic partnerships but they don't afford the same rights as "marriage" does when it comes to the laws in this country.  Some of my friends were surprised to hear that in Florida gay couples were not allowed to adopt a child and  Arkansas and Utah ban any unmarried straight or gay couples from adopting or fostering children. Mississippi bans gay couples, but not single gays, from adopting.  So much for what is best for the children. I bet those people would also be surprised to hear that in many states I could be fired for just being gay. 

That's all for my rant today...