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!
PATRICE & YOLANDA
Newark, NJ
Patrice, 32, substitute teacher and film student
Yolanda, 46, owner of Motivational Counsel-
ing LLC
Yolanda was at a friend´s party (in 2008) and couldn´t help but notice the woman pouring drinks. She kept returning to her to talk, and they eventually exchanged phone numbers. Three months later, they went out on their first date. Four years later, they separated, but it turned out to be a good thing. "The time apart was necessary to show us just how much we loved each other," they say. "Reuniting was bound to happen, but didn´t come without its challenges. We have found couples therapy to be a major source of support." That therapeutic support has worked so well, in fact, that they´ll be getting engaged later this year, and will say "I do" after Patrice completes her bachelor´s degree. "I´m blessed to have a supportive partner who is willing to wait for me to achieve my goals," she says. And while supporting one another is a huge part of their relationship, they both believe "it´s also important to know when to give each other space. We´ve had several challenges due to our age gap and different approaches, and we´ve learned how to be open and accommodate each other´s worlds." And it´s important, they believe, to have fun and never lose sight of how lucky you are. "Take the time to smell the roses and ENJOY your relationship." Their future includes Yolanda´s book, Patrice´s production company and possibly a little one.
