A number of weeks ago my 16-year-old daughter and I were having a very heart to heart chat. I told her that I would be happy if she fell in love and found someone to enjoy and share her life. She is free to love who she wants – at least in my eyes (and her dad’s.)

He and I were “fortunate”. We met in college. We were similar in educational background. We were both Catholic. It made it easier…but it wasn’t a “goal” of ours to find someone like that…it just happened.

We’d both dated out of our religion, out of our race and demographic…but still, we somehow found each other, fell in love and married. Nearly 20 years later, 3 kids, two houses, one business we owned together. It’s an amazing and lovely life.

I think is is sad that the government has to have ANY say in who we are able and free to love and marry. However, that being said, it is, indeed wonderful that the entire country now allows people to marry whom they want…the person who they can’t imagine living another day without. You’ve earned it. I’m just sorry that it was any struggle at all.

~ Dawn aka Hat Girl