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| Bill and I after the "deed was done." Pure happiness |
Today marks our 51st anniversary. Yes, we're Two Old Gay Men who survived.
Two years ago Bill and I got officially married at the Sussex County Courthouse in Georgetown, Delaware.
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| Ever notice when gay couples get married they all have BIG SMILES? |
Our dear friends Jack and Judy Dawson were our witnesses.
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| The Happy Newlyweds with their witnesses, Jack and Judy Dawson |
Although our official marriage resulted in most of my family (two brothers and their families and many cousins who didn't show up at the family reunion because Bill was there), we were so fortunate to have friends like Jack and Judy. Our dear neighbors Bob and Barbara Murphy also volunteered to be our witnesses. These fine folks are my "new" family, since my family can't bring themselves to recognize that Bill and I are their equal now. Even one longtime close friend greatly disappointed me when I informed him of my marriage he blithely said "What's next? Marrying your pet?"I have mentioned this conversation before in previous blog posts so I won't go into it again now just to minimize the negativity on this post and this wonderful day. Needless to say I told him his comment was very insulting and hurtful. However, I still don't think he or his wife "gets it" which is a shame. But people, even family or longtime friends who want to continue to view us as Less Than and not their equal in societal law, I cannot let them hold me back from living my life as a free and equal citizen of this country.
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| Waiting outside the Sussex County Courthouse with our friends (witnesses) Jack and Judy Dawson |
Today marks the first day of our 52 year together. It doesn't seem that long ago that I met Bill on a rainy Saturday night in July at the Westbury Bar on South 15th and Spruce Streets in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Truth be told, Bill knew at that time that we would be together the rest of our lives. To me, he was just a very nice man who was kind to me and treated me like a prince (and still does).
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| Bill overcome with emotion as we're announced "husband and husband" |
During the past fifty-one years, we've had our ups and downs like all couples, gay or straight. But we've always been (lived) together no matter what our travails and circumstances. I know it's an old overused cliche but Bill has always been "there" for me and I for him. And we will be together until one of us departs this earthly existence.
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| Bill couldn't hold the tears back |
So on this day and every July 3rd until I die I will always remember that dreams sometimes do come true.
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| Bill and I reflecting on our future together at the Georgetown Circle Fountain after we got married |