I married my boyfriend of four years in San Francisco October 24, 2008.  I must say that before I met Pierre I never really considered marriage to be important.  I thought of marriage as a piece of paper and I felt that I did not need that to validate my relationship.  

I was in the United States Air Force for six years and have served in Iraq, Turkey, Kuwait, Colombia, and Germany.  I met my future husband while stationed at Ramstein AB, Germany.  Pierre is German national, and it was not until around a year into our relationship that I saw a problem regarding our future.  Because we are a gay couple who are of different nations, there was going to be no way that I could ever sponsor my boyfriend.  I had planned on moving to Washington DC upon finishing my six year enlistment in the military and Pierre encouraged me to pursue this plan.  After much thought, I moved to Washington DC to work at the Census Bureau and later the Pentagon.  Pierre tried everything in his power to find an employer to sponsor him for a work or immigration visa to be with me.  After numerous short visits during our one year long distance relationship, I realized that I could not live without him.   I proposed to him in September 2007 and after a full year of being apart I decided to move back to Germany.  I sold most everything I owned and quit my job at the Pentagon and in February 2008 I joined Pierre.  I can not describe the immense saddness I felt that I could not live in the country that I have served and loved, all because the federal government does not recognize our love.   

After a few months of unemployment in Germany I eventually found a job on Ramstein AB as a server at a restaurant and later that year Pierre and I got married.  

Getting married suddenly meant more than just a piece of paper.  It demonstrated that we can celebrate our love and enjoy the rights that everyone is entitled to.  I do not understand how people can hate so much and want to take away the little joy that marriage has brought to us. I know that even with this marriage that California made possible I could still not bring Pierre home,  but it was a start.  I thought that even though the federal government does not recognize us, that I could never sponsor Pierre, that I could at least look over at my marriage certificate and say, I am married to the love of my life.