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!
SAMANTHA & COLETTE
Long Beach, NY
Samantha, 31, owner and pastry chef of SamiCakes Boutique
Colette, 33, hairstylist, event planner and fitness instructor/trainer
Before they got together, Sam and Colette enjoyed a nice, friendly relationship. Sam would get her hair done at Colette´s salon and participate in Colette´s charity events. That friendship led to love, though it took many years. The secret of their success? "It´s our connection," they say. "We respect that we are individuals as well as a unit. We both love life, caring for others and share similar passions. Having similar interests is key in a relationship." As is enjoying each other´s special qualities. Colette, for instance, takes deep joy in Sam´s laughter. "It´s so genuine. And I´m consistently in awe of her artistic talent. She can create anything with her hands." (Like Jennifer Lopez´s famous 45th birthday cake, featuring the singer lying on top of a lion.) Sam, meanwhile, says she loves Colette´s zest for life. "I appreciate how she genuinely cares for the happiness of others and myself." There´ve been some bumps in the road, however. "Learning to trust another woman was extremely challenging for me," admits Colette, "and working through that process was not always easy in the beginning." Sam says that understanding one another and embracing their different lifestyles has sometimes been difficult. But they´ve worked hard to overcome those challenges, and now they´re headed to the altar! Well, one day. The couple got engaged in Maui nine months ago, but right now say they´re simply "enjoying the engagement, and will start planning when we feel the time is perfect. No rush!"
