We truly hope that social justice and civil rights will prevail in the November elections. We know how important it is to defeat Prop 8 (please vote No on Prop 8) in November. We also know that we are so blessed to have so many friends and allies who stand with us and other families like ours. We didn't plan it this way all those years ago in upstate New York when we decided to "give monogamy a try for six months" (that's the story you need to let Maggie tell you because her version is different from mine). We certainly didn't dream we'd be able to be a part of getting this much closer to LGBT equality in our lifetimes. And we have always fought political and social justice battles that hit close to home-- real close. So, what better way to place ourselves right in the middle of what Bayard Rustin and others have identifed as the civil rights battle of the 21st century in all the ways we can? Why not be with you and have you with us-- as we make the reality of what Marriage Equality means to our family and friends really personal?

So, for a part of the day, we want to be with you as we focus on what Marriage Equality means to someone you know, hopefully someone you really like and respect, and one more family that deserves the rights and responsibilities we make possible for others year after year after year. Us!

Let's win this one- but party and celebrate first. Are you in? If our soon to be fourteen year-old granddaughter can stand with us, there is surely a place for you.

We have so much to say about Zee Davis, we don't know where to begin, so we are going to wait and add more later. And, her husband Marc (our brother). We have stories!

One of the most important things you'll want to know is that the wedding ceremony portion of the wedding celebration is taking exquisite shape under the capable hands and guidance of Zee Davis. Wow! Thank goodness-- she has an eye and ear for the important components of this event that one might expect at a wedding celebration. She also has some great surprises that we are keeping under wraps. You'll want to personally thank Zee for having a commanding hand in all things wedding ceremony. We are thanking her every minute. Make that every second!

Debbie's Stories Within A Story

I first met Pat as her student at San Diego State where I took all the classes I could that she taught. She has been my teacher, my mentor, my friend and my politics of intersectionality guru. She cares enthusiastically about her students and especially the student activists. She made a point of attending our events when few other teachers did. She re-energized me when it came to my political efforts, but also frequently reminded me to study, asked about my grades and reminded me to stay on track with my goals. Maggie has also been a wonderful support. She does calm, empathetic outrage better than anyone. She is also a great voice of reason.

Pat and Maggie are as passionate for each other as they are for life, family, friends, gardening and politics. They live their politics. A USPS mail bin half-full with the latest Democratic or other political mailing is an almost permanent fixture in their living room. And with Maggie’s frequently volunteered (often by Pat) computer and layout skills, and Pat’s participation in more committees and campaigns than there are days in the week (times two or three) they are a team to be reckoned with. You can find their house by looking for the one with the most political lawn signs. Their front yard is in the style of Political–So Cal fusion landscaping. A trip to their house is not complete without a tour of their back garden where they’ll show you their latest additions.

Their home, where at least one television is always tuned to a detective drama (Law & Order, CSI, etc.) is actually an unofficial branch of the San Diego library. They own more books than anyone else I know and probably more books than everyone else I know combined. But if you ask a question or are working on a paper or problem, they will hook you up with references to check out.

They have more friends spread farther and wider than anyone I know. Of course even with her self-proclaimed shyness, Pat is able to strike up friendships with perfect strangers —often in elevators at conferences. Their friends and family are very important to them and I have always found their home to be a warm and welcoming one.

They are politically conscious, brilliant and generous people. I was thrilled to hear the news about their upcoming wedding. I am very much looking forward to sharing their special day with them and to meeting even more of their friends and family. Finally it is truly inspriring to see that after sixteen years and despite a ruthless and epic scrabble rivalry, they are still very much in love.

Congratulations Pat and Maggie!!!

We doubt very seriously if Chris is going to give us a photo of himself to post on the web, but we thought of something else: something that symbolizes one of the neat connections we have with Chris: plants. Many of the gorgeous plants we have in our yard came from Chris. We have plants that we never would have realized could be so beautiful at certain times of the year without Chris's "impromptu" plant education classes. We have plants that are quite unique that Chris gave us. We have actually tried to persuade him to simply deposit plants on our doorstep before he even thinks about sharing them with others, but he actually shares his abundance with just about anybody in the neighborhood-- so we just try to get there first!

Chris is "Your Rolando Village Real Estate Specialist," so when you are buying or selling, your first stop should be Chris Erickson: Rolando Home Office: (619) 501-7010. Get on his mailing list for this great newsletter: "Chris Erickson's Rolando Review"-- but don't touch those plants. We have dibs on any plants he might share one day!

We were separated from Chris at birth and we are just now getting caught up on making memories of a lifetime. He's our "co-conspirator" in our Rolando Village political and activist endeavors, our walking buddy for late evening trips to Yogurtland, our real estate advisor and our neighborhood connection to some of the neatest folks you will ever meet.

P. S. If you are the first person to get Chris to point out the plant that is pictured here-- the day of our wedding celebration-- there might be a little "something, something" in store for you. He's shared so many beautiful plants with us, let's see if he even remembers this one.

P. S. S. We were right, Chris didn't give us a photo-- Nancy did. Yea, Nancy-- you rock. See the picture of Nancy and Chris together in Nancy's special place.

Our neighbors Marilyn and Kate have a host of wonderful beliefs, talents, gifts and cultural traditions to share with us and with wedding attendees. We haven't ventured to ask them for a photo because we have asked them for so much already. We are in possession of several books from their private collection that contain a wealth of information about wedding ceremonies, wedding vows, and more.

And, they have a very important role to play the day of our wedding celebration. You will love our neighbors and friends, Kate and Marilyn.

For now, another picture of us with Joaquin and Morgan from our wedding ceremony at City Hall will have to do.

Bea Fernandez -- somewhere there's an award for people who come into your life just when you need them, with just what you need--even when you don't know you need it or you might not even want to admit you need it-- right when you need them. Bea is overdue for her award. Maggie's got this thing she says when she needs a break from helping me manage tasks in the political activity sphere. It's, "Call Bea." What's really nice is sometimes, the phone rings before I even pick it up and it's Bea. I've said, "I was just getting ready to call you" so many times, she might think I was making it up! When she says, "I've been thinking," I just grab a seat and count my blessings.

Like so many of you in our community family, Bea is performing multiple tasks before and during our wedding celebration. I am hoping she sends her own story for us to share with you-- and a picture she really likes. She certainly has to send a photo if she wants me to take this one down.

Lori is truly uniting the various segments of our community wedding celebration in very, very unique and original ways. We have merged and blended and extended our households with several of our neighbors, but Lori and Kiki are truly going an extra mile or two in ways we could only dream of. We toyed with calling Lori the "wedding decorator/extender."

When Lori moved in next door and began sharing her family with us from time to time-- we were delighted. There is a little "something something" in store for the person who discovers the truly unique way Lori and Kiki are contributing to the spaciousness we will be enjoying for this celebration.

BIG MIKE has lived in San Diego for the last 19 years and is known by many in the community. He has a passioin for photography and has fun doing so. Big Mike has a way of making you feel relaxed and comfortable when you are in front of the camera. In so doing, he makes the person look their very best in photos. So, just smile and let him take your picture.

The dynamic mother/daughter team, Gloria Casillas and Sara Saragosa have joined our wedding party and we are thrilled. Gloria and Sara are dear friends, political allies, and members of several organizations that promote equality and equity, including the San Diego Democratic Women's Club.

If we have any luck at all, we will have a special treat at the wedding celebration from Gloria's very own hands. The first person who gets Gloria to tell them which of her scrumptious home-cooked items Pat Washington believes is "heavenly!" might get a little "something, something at the wedding celebration.

Just when we thought we wouldn't be able to have that all-important wedding dance! DJ Melorican and Latin Rhythm Creations rock in to bring the soulful songs from multiple musical spaces to our wedding celebration. Welcome longtime friends and community members Maria and Lenette and their heartfelt advocacy for promoting love, diversity, and equality for all. We know you will enjoy the contributions of the latest addition to our Wedding Celebration.