Yesterday was an historic day for Texas and the entire country. When the word came down that SCOTUS had legalized same sex marriage in all 50 states there was a happy dance in my house! It’s about time!

Even though the same sex marriage ban in our state had been deemed null and void by the Supreme Court’s ruling, I still didn’t believe that courthouses in the state would actually abide. Our local news stations were reporting that the clerks were waiting for permission to issue the licenses from Attorney General Ken Paxton. I packed my camera bag and headed down to the Harris County Courthouse  in Houston to see what was going on. I arrived around 2pm to a line of couples waiting for information. A few minutes later it was announced that licenses would start to be issued at 3pm with our without permission from the Attorney General. There was a loud cheer.

Just before 3pm, 125th District Court Judge, Kyle Carter, addressed the crowd and informed them that he personally would waive the 72 hour waiting period for any couples wishing to be married immediately, that could provide just cause. Many of these couples have been together for years, some decades. Another loud cheer erupted.

When I went up to the 10th floor around 4pm, I met Bridgett and Kristen who had just emerged from Judge Carter’s chambers. They were about to do their marriage ceremony! I asked if I could photograph for them and they graciously invited me right in to celebrate with them! They had come prepared with their own ceremony already written out on a laptop. They walked over to a window on the 10th floor of the courthouse overlooking the city and their friend performed their ceremony while another took cellphone video.

It was short and fast, but it was beautiful and meaningful. They exchanged vows, rings and a first kiss as wife and wife. With less than 10 minutes to spare, we rushed back down to the third floor to file their license with the state, making their marriage official and legal in Texas, and every other state in the union! Needless to say there were lots of smiles and hugs!

Yesterday was such a happy day and I’m so glad I got to share it with these amazing people. I wish Bridgett and Kristen only happy days ahead!

Stay tuned for more from Pride Week Houston!