We've been together for 25 years now.  Last fall we were visiting with our friends Harv Koplo and Annette Chinuge in Springfield, IL (Suzanne's home state).  They told us Illinois was certain to pass a "marriage equality" law, and said when it passed, they wanted us to come there to get married!  Sure enough, in November we got an email saying, "Well, it's passed, so when is your wedding date?"  The law goes into effect on June 1, 2014; our date is the summer solstice, June 21.  We're really looking forward to having friends and family gather with us to celebrate the legal recognition of our lifelong love and commitment.

We haven't had a real vacation since 2005, so we're really ready for this one!  France seems like the perfect romantic getaway.  We have reserved a room in a lovely women-only chateau with pool near the town of Ales in southern France.  The countryside looks gorgeous, the Riviera is an hour away, and the 30+ museums in Nice beckon us.  Sun, wine, French cuisine, ocean... we can't think of a better way to start the next chapter of our lives!