'We're Just Like Any Other Married Couple'

Photo courtesy of Loreen Bloodgood

Loreen Bloodgood, left, and Alicia Terrlizzi of Limerick, pictured here with their boys Lance and Blake.

When Montgomery County Register of Willis D. Bruce Hanes began issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples last July, in the wake of the Supreme Court's overturning of the U.S. Defense of Marriage Act, Loreen Bloodgood and Alicia Terrlizzi were among the first in line.

Together for 17 years and the parents of two boys, the Limerick couple married immediately and for the last 10 months, that marriage has been in limbo because Pennsylvania did not recognize their marriage.

Yesterday, a federal court judge appointed by President George W. Bush declared Pennsylvania's version of DOMA to be unconstitutional and allowing same sex couples to marry immediately.

As a result, Bloodgood's and Terrlizzi's marriage became instantly legal.

I had the distinct honor of interviewing Bloodgood last July and again yesterday to get her reaction to the next step forward in equality.

Sometimes you just know you're writing about an important time in history and this was one of them.

When I asked for their reaction, Bloodgood said she and Alicia are getting their taxes organized so they can file jointly for the first time in their lives together -- a seemingly mundane act that has taken on great symbolic importance for them.

I actually spoke to Bloodgood before she had a chance to speak to Terrlizzi, who was out taking the boys to their soccer practice while Bloodgood made their lunches for tomorrow, "just like any other married couple."

Below is a Storify of Tweets reacting to the news, as well as the stories I wrote back then and yesterday (yes, in the midst of election day because it never rains but it pours.)

Congratulations to every one in love who only wants the world to recognize that they have chosen to spend their lives together.

It shouldn't have been this hard.