The last two weeks have been pretty hellish to say the least. My Grandpa when in for triple bypass surgery and I was so very worried that we wouldn’t survive the surgery. Let’s just call it a gut instinct. He did survive the surgery and was released from the hospital to the rehab facility. My Grandpa was there for maybe 24 hours when he went quietly in his sleep. I tried to finish up any planned sessions and headed out to California for the funeral and all that was quite emotional.

I arrived back home in Dallas after being gone for almost a week. I tried to get back into my normal routine of things this morning by taking the dogs for a walk and then sitting down for a sec with my morning coffee. I just felt the need to turn to CNN to see if I had missed any important news over the passed week. Well, I see plastered all over that SCOTUS legalized same sex weddings. I was shocked and thought this couldn’t be true. Did they really just do the right thing and make a landmark ruling in human rights and equality. Then took to Facebook and yes it was very much true. I sat there as tears formed and I was so happy for my uncles, friends, clients, and just random strangers that now had the right to marry. I really am a huge supporter of equality for all and basic human rights.

I sat there thinking about what this all meant and what a historical day today would be. Then it hit me, I am a wedding photographer and I am pretty sure that weddings are happening right now at the Dallas court house. It would make me feel better to help celebrate love right after my loss. So I grabbed my camera and headed out to downtown Dallas. I wanted to document the day for any of couples getting married that would let me take their photo. These were some of the most wonderful people and I could see the true joy in their eyes as they walked in to marry each other in the state of Texas. They were seen as having equal rights to marry and that is a proud day!!!!! As one half of an interracial marriage, people fought decades ago for my husband and I to have the right to marry. I wanted to give back in a way, so I figured using my photo talents was the best way possible. I hugged and congratulated each couple that let me take their photo. And each time, I teared up as the now married couple walked away. It was tears of joy and happiness and I felt that it was important to do something to be a part of this day.

Today is a great day for human rights in America. I want conclude with the words used by Justice Anthony Kennedy and how he described marriage.

“No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization’s oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.”

The ACLU was there giving out flowers to all the newly married couples as a sign of support. I wanted to give them props here as well for helping to spread love and kindness.

Finishing the images with this family because I love how this little girl is gleaming that her two mom are now married. She is sooooo proud!!!!!!!