For a moment, it felt like nothing else mattered - not the weight of 30 years of tears that had accumulated along the way, nor the unfulfilled party plans that would never come to fruition. But then Diane turned to me and smiled, her face aglow with happiness, and all that seemed to fade away.
The day was one for the books: January 3rd, 2020, just as civil partnerships had become a reality for opposite-sex couples like us. We were an anomaly, a heterosexual couple who'd opted in despite having never wanted to tie the knot. Friends assumed it was all about tax benefits, but we knew better - this was love on our terms.
As we exchanged vows in front of a registrar, our hearts full and our spirits high, I couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia wash over me. We'd spent three decades together, raising two amazing daughters and building a life that felt authentic to us. And now, as we stood there, hand in hand, it all seemed like just the beginning.
The ceremony was short, sweet, and steeped in joy. Our friends and family watched with beaming faces as we danced into the room to Jackie Wilson's "Higher and Higher", Stevie Wonder's "I Believe" - our faves, our choices. It was a moment I'll never forget, one that felt like a masterclass in romance.
But life had other plans. Just days later, the world would come crashing down around us as Covid-19 swept the nation. We were blissfully ignorant at the time, unaware of what lay ahead. And now, as we look back on that fateful day, it's hard not to chuckle at the absurdity of it all.
The picture captured by our daughter Alix has become a treasured keepsake - proof that even in the darkest of times, love can be the most powerful force of all. I'll never smile like this for anyone, and neither will Diane. It's a moment frozen in time, one that we've cherished ever since.
The day was one for the books: January 3rd, 2020, just as civil partnerships had become a reality for opposite-sex couples like us. We were an anomaly, a heterosexual couple who'd opted in despite having never wanted to tie the knot. Friends assumed it was all about tax benefits, but we knew better - this was love on our terms.
As we exchanged vows in front of a registrar, our hearts full and our spirits high, I couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia wash over me. We'd spent three decades together, raising two amazing daughters and building a life that felt authentic to us. And now, as we stood there, hand in hand, it all seemed like just the beginning.
The ceremony was short, sweet, and steeped in joy. Our friends and family watched with beaming faces as we danced into the room to Jackie Wilson's "Higher and Higher", Stevie Wonder's "I Believe" - our faves, our choices. It was a moment I'll never forget, one that felt like a masterclass in romance.
But life had other plans. Just days later, the world would come crashing down around us as Covid-19 swept the nation. We were blissfully ignorant at the time, unaware of what lay ahead. And now, as we look back on that fateful day, it's hard not to chuckle at the absurdity of it all.
The picture captured by our daughter Alix has become a treasured keepsake - proof that even in the darkest of times, love can be the most powerful force of all. I'll never smile like this for anyone, and neither will Diane. It's a moment frozen in time, one that we've cherished ever since.
it was like the world was already in chaos with covid but they just danced into it with stevie wonder songs lol 
and its so beautiful that even in the midst of all that uncertainty, their love shone through 
those photos from back then would be amazing to see now! what a treasure keepsake 
! it's amazing how far civil partnerships have come - can you even imagine living 30 years without having the recognition of love? 
you know what's wild is how our perception of things changes over time? like that day when they got married it felt like the biggest thing ever but then life just kept going & covid came along & suddenly everything changed I feel like people take those moments for granted these days even though it feels so surreal looking back on it all 
. It’s like they didn’t care what others thought, as long as it was real and true to themselves. And can we talk about how adorable is the picture with Jackie Wilson and Stevie Wonder songs playing in the background? 
Covid-19: because even your wedding day can't be joyful anymore 
. [Kirk Franklin GIF singing "Warrior"]
3 years ago, love was the best medicine... and then came a pandemic 
.
It's crazy how far we've come. Anyway, this couple's experience is like a metaphor for the progress we're making towards inclusivity and acceptance. Love should be about freedom of choice, not just for same-sex couples but for everyone.