Captivating Couples 2015
Phoenix, AZ
Gwen, 43, dental hygienist
Ronda, 47, corporate travel agent
"Seriously, our biggest challenge has been our timing," say Gwen and Ronda. "We have always known that we were meant for each other, but circumstances seemed to always keep us from having a relationship." They first met 17 years ago in Alaska, but were both with other people. Then they had a period when they were free, but didn´t want to mess up their friendship. "As the years went by, one of us was ready to commit and the other wasn´t, and it went back and forth like that for years… Thankfully, fate stepped in–we were reunited three years ago, and haven´t spent a moment (besides work) apart ever since," says Gwen. The thing that once kept them apart, their friendship, is now the thing that binds them together. And fate seems to be in their corner this time. Not only was same-sex marriage recently made legal in Arizona, but they also just won a contest to get a free dream wedding, courtesy of the Hotel Palomar in Phoenix! "I used to have a lot of regret about [the years spent apart]," says Gwen, "wishing we would have just been together from day one, but now, as I look back, it was so important for us to have our own life experiences first, so we could be ready to totally commit to the one."
All you need is love!
SARAH & TANYA
Brooklyn, NY
Sarah, 38, public defender
Tanya, 39, social worker
Sarah and Tanya´s story began almost 20 years ago, when they were camp counselors. They kept in touch after working together, maintaining a long-distance friendship. They then fell out of touch, finally reuniting in New York, where they´ve remained together ever since. About eight years ago, they made it official in a heartwarming ceremony. "It felt like such a whirlwind," says Tanya, "but what we remember most is jumping the broom [an African-American wedding tradition], walking down the aisle covered in rose petals, and seeing our loved ones who were celebrating our happiness." Their relationship, she says, is based on "honesty and unconditional love. We have great respect for one another as strong, accomplished and intelligent women. She follows me on crazy outdoor adventures, and even when I get us lost, she still has faith in me." Says Tanya, "Sarah believes in my dreams and trusts me with hers. Her loyalty and generosity and wacky sense of humor are just a few of the highlights of Sarah´s beautiful soul." They´ve faced difficulties as a mixed-race lesbian couple, but thrive with the support of family and friends, and with honest communication. "We hope to continue to build on what we´ve developed and grow our family," says Sarah. "But most importantly, we want to be healthy and happy. And in love."
