My First Awkward-Marriage-Explanation-to-a-Customer-Service-Rep

I called the insurance company to add Michael's apartment to our insurance policy. This was the conversation:

Jamie: I need to add my husband's property to our existing insurance policy.
Insurance Agent: Are both names already on the account?
JB: Yes.
IA: And, who am I speaking with?
JB: This is Jamie.
IA: Let me pull up your account...OK, so you wanted to add your wife to the policy?
JB: No, my husband's property.
IA: I already have two people on the account.
JB: Yes, but there's one new property to add.
IA: So, you want to add your husband's property?
JB: Yes.
IA: Is this Michael's property?
JB: Yes.
IA: And who am I speaking with?
JB: Jamie.
IA: And, you want to add your wife to the policy?
JB: No, my husband is already on the policy.
IA: Are you a male?
JB: Yes.
IA: So, we're talking about two males?
JB: Yes.
IA:...OK, I can help you with that.

Well done! The whole process (after the initial confusion) was quite painless!

Sharing Our Story

Jonathan Rauch, whom I met at Brookings, and who has been writing about gay marriage for quite some time (check out his excellent book here) wrote a piece about Michael's and my wedding. It's posted here.

Andrew Sullivan's Daily Dish features a quote from the article here.

I have believed for some time that by sharing your story, you actually make it more real. From the response Michael and I have gotten so far, that's definitely true in our case. The love and support on our wedding day, and a new outpouring of responses from this article just keep reinforcing to us that we are part of a community and family that will support us throughout our relationship.

It's truly edifying. Thank you.

Gay Wedding Wishes from President and First Lady Bush

Michael was excited to send an invitation to the President and First Lady to attend our wedding. He thought it would be helpful for them if they saw a loving, caring gay couple who had decided to bond their lives together, to care for each other, and to support each other to be their best, both for each other and for society.

Unfortunately, President and Mrs. Bush weren't able to join us for the occasion, but they did take the time to send a very thoughtful, considerate card. Below is a picture of it.

I think if they would've come to the wedding, they would have been warmly embraced by both of our families. They would've seen one of my dearest friends, Caryn, raise her glass to toast, "to Michael and Jamie, who's friends have always been my friends, and who's family has always been my family." It would've been hard for them to leave without having a great time dancing with my brother-in-law, and without tearing up a bit when I choked up saying my vows.

It would've been hard for them to be there and feel like they were watching something bad or wrong. There was too much love.

I wish they would've come, but we were glad to get their card in abstentia.

The First Wedding Photos - with Congratulations from President and First Lady Bush

Here are the pictures; the first is Michael and me, with the cake and some pictures from when we were younger - we both had Mickey Mouse school bags for our first day of school!

The second is the card we received from the President and First Lady. I'm sorry they missed a great party!