She said yes!

So, for more than nine years I have been head over heels in love with my partner Robin Phillips. We have gone through job promotions, job losses, moving across country, the birth of nieces, nephews, and grand nieces. We have even attended weddings for our nieces and nephews. We have enjoyed a wonderful family, and been part of those historic moments. But now, we are about to have our own historic moment.

I have finally convinced Robin to marry me! Yes, the woman I waited 37 years to meet, the woman who makes me want to be better, the woman who makes me laugh until I cry, and is there to hold me when I need shoulder. This woman has finally decided to make our love official, at least in the eyes of the state of Massachusetts.

We were both so excited about this decision, and began to tell friends and family this week. The reaction has been a bit mixed. My mother, god bless her, said she already thought we were married. Some said they were very happy for us. We have had some say "that's nice" and others just meet the news with silence. And I admit, it was a bit disheartening at times. I wanted everyone to be as excited as we were, to understand why this was so important.

But then, the perfect moment. We told our friend Michelle. I actually left a message on her answering machine. She called back about an hour later just screaming into the phone! She was so excited I could hardly get in a word edgewise! This was the response we were looking for.

Thank you Michelle for understanding how special this day will be for us, and thanks for agreeing to be there as our witness!

Tempe, Sue