On June 1st this year, Illinois will join 5 other states and allow civil unions. Now I don’t talk about politics on my blog and I don’t intend to start now. However, this is particularly meaningful to this vintage blogger.
Yep, that’s my engagement ring. For those of you who like details, it’s a sapphire with diamonds on the top half of the band. My mom, bless her heart, said it was the color of my eyes. (If only that was still the case like when I was little!)
So after 9 years together, Mel and I will have a civil union sometime this June. We’re not having a Big To Do; in fact if we’re allowed, we’ll do it at the courthouse. We’re just not Big To Do kind of people. We’re probably going to opt for very casual celebrations with our families peppered across the country throughout the summer and fall.
I just wanted to share that it’s official. 🙂
Beth says
Congrats! What great news – wishing you many years of happiness together!
Andi says
Congratulations! Your ring is lovely.
Fluffykira says
Congratulations!! I wish you both a lifetime of happiness!
iLiveinmyLab says
Yay! Congratulations that is so exciting!!!!!
Temperamental Broad says
Congrats! I won’t get political either but I’m a supporter 100%!! And your ring is stunning!
TheBlackPinafore says
Congratulations from Italy!!!!
Jeanne says
Congrats! Love your ring.
Julie says
Congratulations! I think a courthouse ceremony can be quite romantic (and a heck of a lot less stressful)!
Buckmistress A. says
Congratulations!! Your ring is beautiful. Now you can start planning for/sewing and knitting your wedding ensemble.
Saphy says
congratulations, in the Uk it has been legal for nearly 5 years, my partner and I have been civil partner’s for 4.5 years now. its so great! congratulations again!
zilredloh says
YAaaaY! How awesome! Mega Congrats to you and Mel. 🙂
Your ring is so pretty, too.
Miss Magpie says
Congratulations to you both.
Miss Katie says
It’s so great that civil partnerships are spreading to the US, we’ve had them here in the UK for a while now, and many of my best friends have finally been able to get hitched 🙂
Huge congratulations! The ring is beautiful and I’m sure the two of you will be very happy together, you always look so well suited 🙂
Mel says
YEAHHHH!!!! My SIL had to go to Canada to get hitched to her Beloved. Damn politics! Best of luck in the married life!!!!!!
Madelaine says
Yay! That is awesome news, and such a lovely ring!
BaronessVonVintage says
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Your ring is exquisite! I totally wish I had done a little courthouse type ceremony. Still, our wedding was very very small, so I’m also a fan of one intimate service and then lots of fun casual celebrations! All the very best to you two!!
Caroline says
Sweet, such good news for both the state and you two!
Cheri Pinktrix says
Yeah! Happy News. 🙂
~Cheri, The Vintage Lesbian Project
the Cupcake Goddess says
A very serious Congratulations! Your ring is beautiful and I’m so very happy for you! It couldn’t happen to a nicer, sweeter person! How wonderful! All the best and most happiness for your future together!
Welcome to DeluxeVille says
Oh my!!!! Congrats!!!!
The Sgt and I are having our own little courthouse exchange in June too! We aren’t in to making a big to do either!
All the best to you and Mel!
~MaryD
Moe says
Congratulations you two! I couldn’t be happier for two such wonderful people. And what a beautiful ring. Big XXs and OOs!!!
Lauren Hairston says
Best wishes! I’m glad you’ll be able to have a civil union. Since we’re not religious, my husband and I just went down to the courthouse one day. I wish it could have been a civil union, but unfortunately, we live in Kansas. I’m so happy for you and happy for all the people who can now (legally) start a life together.
Vintage Grrl says
YAY! Big congrats to you, Mel and Illinois! News like this always makes me happy.
Miss P says
Congratulations hun! How exciting is that!? I can hear vintage patterns being trawled….;)
Px
Kate says
Congrats!!
Miss Emmi says
Congratulations! I hope my country follows in your footsteps soon 🙂
Debi says
CONGRATS! How exciting!! Are you going to make an outfit for the special occasion?
eileensbasement says
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful news on so many levels. Congrats to you both for finding the one you want to love for the rest of your life.
Gabriella says
Hooray and congrats! Such a pretty ring!
Ducktastic says
Congratulations! 😀
Sparkleneely says
Congratulations — that’s wonderful! xo
daisy says
great news and congratulations – hope you have a little party ! 🙂
THE BIG MAMA INTROSPECTION says
Best wishes. I love the ring !!!
Straight Talking Mama! says
How fantastic! I’m so pleased for you both, about blumming time on civil partnerships, must be so hard in the US as it’s different in every state isn’t it? In the UK it’s just one law for everyone, which certainly makes it easier!
Good luck, we all know you’ll be happy as you already are! Marriage or whatever you want to call it is great I highly recommend it :o)
Wendy says
That is wonderful! Congratulations!!
elise says
May your life together be filled with magic.
So very happy for you both! Lovely ring.
Congratulations and Best Wishes,
Elise
Andrea says
Congratulations! (yea, Illinois!)
Mary says
Congratulations!!
Sassy Lassies Vintage Life says
Congrats to you and Mel. May your life together be filled with love, wonder, excitement and joy!
As the mother of a gay daughter, I hope one day all people across this country will be seen as equal in the eyes of the law. Love is love.Thankfully for my daughter (once she finds the right gal) we live in Massachusetts and she grew up in Connecticut, both of which allow marriage. 🙂
Lenora Le Noire says
YAY!! Congrats!!! This made me warm and tingly all over! I am so happy for you both. What a beautiful ring, as well.
katey says
OHMYGOSH!!!! I’m so happy for you guys! Hooray!
Emily says
How exciting!!! Congrats!
Moxie Tonic says
Best wishes to you both! What wonderful news, and your ring is gorgeous!
And yay for Illinois while we are at it! Although, how aggravating that a marriage or civil union between two adults is even considered political.
We had what was supposed to be a small wedding turn into a big wedding: they have a tendency to take on a life of their own. And honestly in hindsight, I wish we had just eloped and gotten married in Hawaii (a la Elvis’ ‘Blue Hawaii’). The stress was so not worth it.
Ivy says
Oh wow! That’s awesome news. Congratulations!
Su says
Congratulations to you both!! That’s a GORGEOUS ring!!
Erin says
Congrats hon! Mel did a beautiful job picking out the ring (or did you choose it?)! Either way, congratulations! I’ve had a big wedding and a courthouse one, and I vastly preferred my courthouse one for the intimacy and the ability to really focus on what the day is all about.
Kathy says
Congrats! As a fellow Chicagoan, I was so pleased to hear that this bill was passed. Enjoy your engagement!
Kally says
Congratulations and best wishes to you both!
Can’t wait to see your outfit plans, your ring is lovely too 🙂
Glad the US is catching up, it’s sad that some states still don’t allow civil unions but hopefully that will change soon!
Bex says
Congratulations from Australia! (I hope one day we have CUs so I can marry my sweetie too). x
Zootsuitmama says
Wish you all the best in life! Congrats!
Mouse in a Blouse says
Congratulations!!! Your ring is beautiful!
The Thriftaholic (Leilani) says
Congratulations, I’m so happy that this is possible in Illinois!!!
I know you’re not much into ceremonies but it would be the perfect excuse to buy a vintage dress and accessories! Love your ring, the sapphire is a dazzling choice.
Anonymous says
congrats, friend!
Elizabeth H
ReaderRita says
YAY! Congratulations! Many wishes for big giant happiness! (and hurray for Illinois!)
Julie says
Congratulations guys!!!! Lots of love to you both!
floderten says
Congratulations!! 🙂 What a beautiful ring, too. I hope you have a wonderful day!
Biddygirl says
Congratulations and Best Wishes! Your ring is lovely! I’m sure we all look forward to the pictures of the ceremony! Glad to know there are still wonderful decisions happening in politics, when so often it only seems like negative ones. Much happiness to you and Mel!
Miss Margarita says
Congratulations! Thats great news 🙂 Best wishes!
BombshellShocked says
WHOOPEE!!!!
Loren T says
Congratulations and best wishes for a long and happy life together 🙂
Hopefully Virginia and the rest of the nation will follow along soon.
liss says
congrats, such a pretty ring, love your blog- enjoy your retro style and projects.
Rhia says
Congrats and best wishes! Your ring is adorable, so chic and unique.
Caroline C. says
AAAAHHH this makes me so happy to hear! I have a lot of LGBT friends up here in Vancouver, Canada and have seen some weddings and civil unions between them. They are truly beautiful no matter how you decide to have it. Best wishes!