Live...and let love.

I was always raised to live and let live, to treat others how you want to be treated, you know, the usual "mommy rules" that you grow up with. The "Golden Rules" as my mother used to call them. When the question about legalizing gay marriage first started coming up I remember wondering, "Why is this even a question? If these people love each other enough to want to be married, who are we to tell them they can't?".

I watched as the subject of gay marriage was brought up time and again, usually received with negativity, and didn't ever say much. I have never really been big on politics and hate elections, not because of the changes that may happen, but because of all the negative press and hatred that seems to pour out of people when politics and election issues are brought up. Finally, one night just before the election at my parents house, I blurted out the fact that I planned to vote for gay marriage. The silence in the room was tangible, but I felt somehow...better. Suddenly, it was about being true to how I really felt, what I believed to be right in my heart.

That was four years ago, the first time I ever voted, and a day I was proud to walk out of that voting booth knowing I had stuck to my values and beliefs. I was so proud and excited for the couples in Maine this November when it finally passed!

So this morning when my husband turned on the news, I almost burned his breakfast when I heard them discussing the fact that the city hall in Portland will open at 12:01am on December 29th to hand out marriage licenses and perform weddings. I was instantly filled with pride that people were finally able to open their minds and their hearts and accept the fact that love doesn't have to look a certain way anymore. There is no tradition in love. Love is love, same sex or not, and those couples deserve the same right to be married and enjoy their spouse for the rest of their lives as I do. My husband has been my best friend, one of my biggest supporters and my partner in crime in absolutely everything for the past 12 and a half years and I could never imagine my life if I had been told I could not marry the man that I love as much as myself.

So on December 29th, I'll be toasting to all the new, happy, same-sex marriages that will happen that night, the chance at a future with their new spouse, and to all the same-sex couples that now have the right to love freely as well all do! This life is too short and too crazy to do anything but live and let live...or in this case...let love.

stuffqueerpeopleneedtoknow.wordpress.com

 

Cheers to all the excited couples awaiting their special day! Love like there's no tomorrow, and get ready for a lifetime together with not only your partner, but your spouse!

~KG