“Love Won Out”

Local couples prepare to tie the knot

Rick Imirowicz and Terrance Heath will make history Tuesday. But to the two of them, that's not what will make the day special. The couple will become one of the first couples to be legally married in the nation's capital.

"I'm excited, a little nervous, oddly enough," Heath told News4. "We've been together ten years, and in a lot of ways we'll be the same when we get home as we were when we left."

Since last Wednesday, same-sex couples have been able to apply for marriage licenses in the district. Starting Tuesday, they can pick up those licenses and legally wed. DC will join five states in extending marriage benefits to gay couples.

"I thought it would have taken a lot longer," Imirowicz said; "we thought we would be grandparents before we were allowed to get married. It's nice to get married before our kids get married."

Heath and Imirowicz are not just making the commitment for themselves. They want to ensure legal protections and provide a model for their two adopted sons, 2-year-old Dillon and 7-year-old Parker.

"We want to show them a home that's loving, and stable, and secure, with two parents who love each other, are committed to each other, and are married to each other," Imirowicz said.

Reverend Bonnie J. Berger will officiate gay marriages. She says she will be at D.C. Superiour Court ready to administer the vows as soon as the couples have their licenses in hand.

"Love won out," Berger said. "I think that the power of love will move from DC, to Maryland, and eventually across the nation. I don't think it can be stopped."

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