© 2024 WLRN
MIAMI | SOUTH FLORIDA
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Miami-Dade Couple Getting Marriage License: "The Mundane Becomes Magical"

John O'Connor
/
WRLN

The counter on the wall of Miami-Dade County's marriage license office says 59. Deborah Shure and Aymarah Robles hold number 60.

Robles says they’ve been waiting 15 years to be able to marry each other. Minutes before, a Miami-Dade judge said same-sex couples could get marriage licenses.

“And I’m still crying and I don’t think it’s going to stop today," Robles says.

Shure and Robles ducked out after the verdict to grab an early spot in line. Dozens of couples followed.

About an hour later, their wait was over.

Robles and Shure pushed through the reporters and cameramen.

“Excuse us," Robles asked, as office staff helped the couple move news people out of the way.

They signed the license. They raised their hands and swore they had provided accurate information.

“And when are you getting married?" the clerk asked.

"Tomorrow," Robles said. Through the glass, the clerk said something else.

"What did she say?" asked Shure, who has trouble hearing.

"It’s effective today," Robles said of their marriage license.

The last step is familiar to anyone who has gotten married -- they paid the bill.

"Sixty-one dollars. All in cash," laughed Robles. “The mundane becomes magical.”

Credit John O'Connor / WLRN
/
WLRN
Another couple, Jeff Ronci and Juan Talavera, sign their marriage license Monday. They had a friend ready to officiate their wedding, and more friends ready to act as witnesses.

See all of our gay marriage coverage at http://wlrn.org/marriage-all

More On This Topic