love and marriage are everywhere in san francisco right now. least of which, at city hall. it's hard to describe. it's everywhere and overpowering. and really amazing. i didn't make it down to city hall yesterday for the beginning of the historic marriages. but i went down there this evening. and there were lines, upon lines, upon lines of gay and lesbian couples waiting to get their licenses, waiting to do the paperwork, and waiting for an official to make it official. high emotion was everywhere. gay people were everywhere. my people were everywhere. and they were showing their love and getting an official statement from the city saying that they were bonded for life together. most of these couples had already been 'married' in spirit for 10, 20, 30, 40, or even 50 years, never imagining that they would be able to be recognized by a government body, completely. all of these couples recognized how little window there was for this as they ran to city hall to do it quickly before the courts probably stop it next week. but until that time, for a brief few days of marriage after marriage after marriage, and love and devotion and care and beauty and relationships, until next week, for a few days, these couples will have shown brightly and this valentine's day, this marriage day for them, will mean everything. in a small way it made me want to grab someone and marry them today too, but i'm not ready and not involved. but it did make me want to take part in the events. seeing all the love everywhere, you wonder what the fuss is really about from the opponents. but whatever. these few days of marital bliss in san francisco leaves one's heart open and proud.

tomorrow i'm going to the wedding ceremony of my dear friends esther and lisa as they tie the knot, officially, in the US, for the first time. they've been together for years. they even officially got married in canada where it was becoming legal a year or two ago. but now, they're going to get married in their home city, in the US of A. and i'm going to watch them, and celebrate their marriage with them. because we can. officially, for the first time.