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!
PATTI & ELLEN
Livingston, NJ and Bradley Beach, NJ
Patti, 56, physical education teacher
Ellen, 52, certified financial planner
Ellen and Patti thought they weren´t at all alike when they were introduced by friends 28 years ago, "but there was magic when we looked at each other," they say. And when they got to know each other better, they discovered deeper qualities. "I adore Patti´s heart and honesty. She has helped me become a more emotional person, in a good way! I discover new things to love about her every day," says Ellen. "Ellen is such a beautiful woman," says Patti, "both inside and out. Her kindness, thoughtfulness, and amazingly happy personality are only a few of the characteristics that make her so very special to me. …We have such a high respect for each other and laugh a lot." On May 30, 1992, they had a commitment ceremony, and a few years ago, got custody of their 16-year-old son. "Our parenting styles were so different, it caused some stress," says Ellen. "I was the disciplinarian and Ellen was ´The Wallet,´" says Patti. "[But] both methods worked, because Mike is now thriving and living on his own." This May 30, Ellen and Patti will be celebrating their anniversary by finally getting married legally in front of family and friends, although "we won´t be hyphenating our last names!" Ellen says. What´s in store for the future? "…Patti is retiring this year, so I am hoping we can enjoy even more quality time together, living life to the fullest."
