Almost one year ago, I married the love of my life. We had a beautiful ceremony, followed by an amazing reception, with all of our friends, family, and loved ones gathered in one place to share in our happiness. It was a truly wonderful experience. I cried tears of joy that day.
When Justice Anthony M. Kennedy announced the decision in Obergefell this morning, I, like many Americans, cried again.
Today, some cried because they believed in their hearts of hearts that marriage equality would ruin what we’ve come to know as traditional marriage. After all, marriage has always been between one man and one woman. They believed that God would take offense to this violation of the natural moral order. They believed that marriage equality would turn a moral wrong into a civil right, and shred the very fabric of our modern-day society.
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But that’s the thing: we are living in a modern-day society. Things may be constantly changing all around us, but love is the one thing that has remained a constant throughout the ages. Laws that once prohibited interracial marriage have been invalidated, and laws that once prohibited same-sex marriage have now been overturned. When love is the plaintiff in compelling landmark cases like these, love always wins out over all.
In fact, Justice Kennedy expertly stated so in the conclusion of his opinion in Obergefell:
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.
Today, I cried not for the sanctity of my own marriage, but because I was so proud my country had come this far. I cried for all of the people who believed that their own marriages would be torn asunder by this decision, for it seems they cannot understand the beauty that is inherent in all marriages. Most importantly, I cried for all of the people who will now be able to experience the happiness that marriage to one’s true love brings.
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The only thing gay marriage has changed about my traditional marriage is that our social calendars will be a little fuller in the future — and to be quite frank, I couldn’t be happier.
Earlier: The Supreme Court Rules In Favor Of Marriage Equality Nationwide