| Volume 3, chapter 1. |
[09 Mar 2004|12:28am] |
I step back, and regret I don’t keep better records of my daily activities. Since the last entry, lots (LOTS) has happened.
(1.) Week long conference in Seattle.
(2.) $2087 plumbing expense on the house
(3.) Today is my 31 birthday
(4.) Registered for college today; 10 credits while running a store for one of Americas top 100 company’s to work for.
(5.) Hudson, my puppy,arrived.
(6.) Got Married
Any one of these would be a busy week. but within 7 days, ALL OF THE ABOVE!
A few years ago, my boyfriend and I told each other we wanted to be in an “place” to buy a house, when I turn 32. We bought our house last Summer, when I was 30. We also talked about the “what if” gay marriage ever became legal, would we do it. When in Seattle for a conference, Keith called me and told me Portland was going to start issuing Marriage licenses to same sex couples. Immediately, I started to cry. I had doubts that it would hold up. Not knowing how the Oregon Constitution defined “marriage”. I wouldn’t be home until Thursday afternoon, and it was Tuesday at this time Keith called. Elated, scared, overwhelmed, and dazed all took over me. Then, when I came home, Portland had issued 788 licenses in those two days to same sex couples. With those numbers, it was true, I was going to have the chance to marry the man I love, something I thought I would never have the chance to do. Keith and I planned, in two hours, to get married. Most people take 6 to 9 months to plan a wedding, we did it in two hours. A trip to Lloyd Center for an outfit for Keith, and wedding bands for both of us, we were ready for the next day.
A typical early March day in Oregon, outside, in line for three hours at the Multnomah County building. The line wrapped halfway around the building. So many emotions to face while standing in line with all the other couples. When we finally got inside the building, I had to hold back tears. Seeing couples come out with the license and other documents in hand, smiling, holding each other, hugging friends and other strangers that they met while standing in the same line they just got out of. It didn’t finally set in, until we were in the line to pay for the license. I started to cry, I had to hold back tears. Keith looked into my eyes, and knew what was going through my mind. He just held my hand... and smiled and told me he loved me. I had butterflies doing a dance in my stomach, and my heart was racing line I was in the 5th grade about to give a speech in front of the faculty and parents of my class on. When, we got it. The license. The piece of paper that so many other couples had held before me in that same spot. And like probably most “brides” before me, I too started to cry. The paper work was not set up for same sex spouses, so Keith was the “groom” and I was the “bride”. We were told not to alter any piece of the application. So, one of use had to be the bride.
Two hours later, a bunch of phone calls, a trip to the flower shop, and a trip to Keller Auditorium we then waited in another line to get married. Erika and Andy, and Jennifer and Maria came down to witness us get married. We would have loved to have had more friends and family share this day, but we both were overwhelmed and couldn’t think clearly. We were so happy we got to share this day with these two couples since they have found a wonderful spot in our hearts.
Now, we wait. To see if the lawsuit that has been issued against the county can stand up. The lawsuit hit a road bump today, day one for the trial process for the suit. One small success for my team. But I need more to get through this.
And now... today, I’m 31. FUCK. At what point did I take over my dancing pants, and become an adult. My trips to Canada with my friend Michelle, when I lived in Seattle. She and I probably made a couple dozen trips to our neighbors to the north to go dancing. I didn’t do very well in school. But, I experienced so much. All of which make me who I am today. And to think, that was 12 years ago today, when we started our adventures.
And now, I am started college again. I guess, I am having a early-mid life crises. Pretty good way to start if you ask me. I think this is volume 3, chapter 1 of my life at his point. Volume 1; birth to 18 years old. Volume 2; 19 to 30. And now age 31, and new adventure. We will just have to see what happens.
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