Love Wins

(Handmade hearts by my boys.)

I get discouraged by the actions of my state’s leaders a lot these days; I think it’s hard not to. And I’ve written before about raising young children in the middle of such a conservative area, where Wal-Mart, Hobby Lobby, and Chick-Fil-A dot the landscape, and you can guess the ideologies of your neighbors by the bumper stickers on the back of their cars. But Friday was a beautiful day for our entire nation, and the Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage did a lot to lift my spirits.

I want my boys to grow up loving everyone, and I want them to feel safe and protected, too. I’m pretty political and outspoken when it comes to my beliefs, but Ryan and I try our best to explain things simply and honestly to our little guys and encourage them to form their own opinions. They are still so small, but they know that, now, you can marry anyone you want, anyone your heart desires. They want to marry each other, which is sweet, considering how much they bicker these days.

A few years ago, we took the boys to a close friend’s wedding, and she and her wife were married in a beautiful, outdoor ceremony under a giant oak tree as the sun set in the Texas sky. On Friday, our friend and her wife were married again, this time officially, at the county clerk’s office, and when she shared the good news with us, I told our boys immediately.

They are too young to understand the significance of the event, but I wanted them to know about it. For them, all marriages will be normal and commonplace, and that’s the beauty of this moment. My sons’ generation will grow up with more understanding and acceptance, hopefully without the presence of fear and hatred. Things won’t be perfect, and there are still more struggles to overcome, but it will be better. And isn’t that what all parents want for their children?

After Friday’s ruling, a local news anchor shared his thoughts with his audience, and I was especially touched by his message to parents, grandparents, and everyone who cares for and works with the next generation. “Now is your chance to make the world a better place,” he said, and I completely agree.