"A Trip For The Sake Of Love..."

I've worked in Canada and spent a good deal of time there and I know her people well.  So with that said, there are many reasons to love Canada, but the best reason became real for Eddie and I on Friday when he and I were legally married there.

Windsor, Ontario, Canada is Detroit's smaller, cleaner, friendlier neighbor on the Detroit River.  Just over 5,600 feet separate the two cities but they are a world apart and a country apart in terms of freedom and justice for all people.  Same-sex marriage has been legal throughout Canada since July 20, 2005, when with the enactment of the Marriage Act, Canada became the 4th nation in the world to recognize that "love is love..."

If I weren't an American, I'd hope to be lucky enough to be a Canadian... In so many ways they "get it right."  They understand what freedom and civility and justice is all about.  Although you need a passport or other approved documents to travel to Canada, it's not to get in, they happily welcome almost everyone, you need it to get back into the U.S.

Friday morning, Eddie, Mark and I set off for Windsor via the Detroit Windsor tunnel, the world's first underwater tunnel connecting two countries.  When there's not much traffic it takes about three minutes to drive under the river and arrive in beautiful downtown Windsor.  Since we were leery about traffic and had a 9:15 ceremony booked, we left way early. 

We got to Windsor City Hall with more than an hour and a half to spare, so we set out for a cup of coffee and a bite to eat.  Our wedding day breakfast turned out to be at McDonalds just up the street from City Hall and the tunnel entrance.  Eddie and I, "suited up" and wearing matching silk bow ties attracted a little attention when we walked into the restaurant.

When we got up to the counter to place our order, in typical Canadian fashion, the server was very friendly and commented on our attire.  She asked if we were going to a wedding, I said, "Yes!"  She asked if we were in the wedding party and I said, "Yes, We're the grooms!" and with that said, everyone behind the counter offered their congratulations and well wishes.  It was a wonderful feeling to be recognized so openly and warmly.  Other patrons in the dining room all smiled and nodded and although we were nervously anticipating our big moment, we also felt at ease and free to be proud of our love and the commitment we were making to one another.

After breakfast, we made our way back to City Hall and although we had a minor hiccup, (a funny story that ended well) everything went off beautifully.  Even our Justice of the Peace was a same-gender loving woman in a cross-border relationship with an American woman.  After the ceremony, she gave us some helpful tips and pointers on dealing with U.S. Border agents when traveling together.

All in all, it was a day that made us happy, united us in love and proved to us beyond any doubt that...

"A life lived in fear is a life half-lived"