I should probably write about the events of today, since it’s my journal and all.
The Husbear woke me up about 9:30 this morning and said he decided we should go get married. He said he couldn’t focus all morning and decided we needed to go take part in this historic event before we couldn’t. We had actually planned on not getting married until we could in our home county of Benton, but the Benton County Clerk has refused to do any marriages.
So we quickly got ready, knowing the possibility of a stay coming down could happen. And then we headed east to Eureka Springs in Carroll County. Eureka had issued a few licenses on Saturday, so we were hoping we’d be able to get ours there. We arrived at the courthouse only to be turned away. Apparently an attorney in the county filed a lawsuit to stop the licenses from being issued there.
We were a little heartbroken, but we had a backup plan.
We jumped back in the car and drove the fastest 55 minutes ever south to Fayetteville in Washington County. We arrived at the courthouse, and headed up to the third floor. We were promptly rushed in to the County Clerk’s office where we filled out and signed some paperwork, paid $60, had a very speedy officiation, and then *bam*: we’re married.
Legally married.
In Arkansas!
The Husbear sort of broke down (a little) at that point. And I might have gotten a little misty-eyed as well. It’s weird to think that we’ve been together for 17 years, but now it’s “official”.
There were other couples there getting married as well, and pictures were being taken by people and news crews. Someone offered to take our pictures for us since we were a little busy.
The state Supreme Court has said they will have a stay response by noon tomorrow (Tuesday). Hopefully they stay isn’t issued, but as we saw in Carroll County, a lot of other counties are just flat refusing to offer the licenses.
This is an intresting time to say the least.
And I’m sure there’s more to come…
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UPDATE: The Husbear and I ended up on Joe.My.God today. Thank you Homer, and thank you Joe!
Until next time...
Many, many congratulations to you! I am so happy that you were able to legally tie the knot! It feels different, doesn’t it!
Thank you, J.P.! It does feel… different. Now I don’t have to carry that giant stack of paperwork around with me when we travel. Although I probably still will out of habit. And because of red states.
Congratulations! I saw the picture that was posted on Joe.My.God. You two look so happy. Wishing you both many many more years together!
Thank you, Matt. Someone pointed out to me that our photo made it there, and I kind of beamed a little. It’s weird to be… “newsworthy”. 🙂
CONGRATS!!!! I am soooooo happy for you guys!!!
Best wishes from us here in Virginia (who have their day in court tomorrow morning)
Kelly and Jeff
Thank you, Kelly! I saw your post about VA. Hopefully progress will happen quickly for y’all there! As for us, Arkansas now has a stay in place.
Congratulations! OMG Congratulations!!!!
Thank you, Cubby! Who’d have ever thought?
Congratulations!
Thank you!
CONGRATULATIONS!!
and let no man, republican or right winger put asunder.
Thank you so much, Sean! Now that there is a stay in place, it’ll be a “wait and see” kind of thing until the Arkansas Supreme Court decides what to do.
So many many congratulations! Best wishes for now and all the future!
Thank you so much!
I’m so happy for you – and proud of you for doing this.
Arkansas before Ohio. Whodathunk?
Thank you, Blobby. It’s definitely “weird” in my brain to know that we’re legally married. And who would have thought Arkansas ever?
Congratulations!!!!! You two are a very cute couple. Many happy returns.
I just discovered your blog today thanks to Sean at Just a Jeep Guy. Looking forward to exploring it!
Now the important questions – where’s the honeymoon gonna be?!
Thank you very much, Robert.
And welcome to the ramblings of my brain. When I have them!
I am so happy for you both and I am man enough to admit it brought a light mist to my eyes. Congratulations!
Thank you so much, Geoffrey.
Congratulations and what an adventure!!
Are you really that much taller than your Husbear?!?
Thank you, Karen. It has definately been an adventure!
And he’s just that much shorter than me. 😉
Congratulations!
My husband and I were married in California while briefly legal in 2008 after 18 years together. It is wonderful. Many many happy years ahead to you both!
Thank you very much, Shawn. And much belated congratulations to you both as well!
as an ultra-conservative right wing republican nut , I must say it is about damn time that you could do this. Many congratulations and much best wishes for you both. May the years to come be better than the years past.
OK while I am not really a full republican, I do vote that way all to often. I am truly a libertarian and want the government out of personal lives. Never thought that they belong in the marriage (or bedroom) business at all.