Thursday was a special day for Caseylynn Evans and her fiancee, Libby Fulton. The day marked the freedom to marry one another in Minnesota.
“It was never a matter of if we’d get married, it was a matter of when,” Fulton said. “It makes it more special that we’re able to do it in our home state.”
Like many same-sex couples in Minnesota, Evans, 19, and Fulton, 21, will officially be united in marriage this month.
“We are planning on having a big ceremony next summer, but we want to make it official sooner than that,” Evans said.
Unlike others in the state who married at 12:01 a.m. Thursday – just a minute after same-sex marriage became legal in Minnesota – they say their turn isn’t far away.
“I can’t wait to marry her,” Evans said while giving Fulton a loving nudge.
Gov. Mark Dayton proclaimed Aug. 1 “Freedom to Marry Day” in Minnesota. News sources reported the governor was on hand at Minneapolis City Hall for the ceremonies starting at midnight, when Mayor R.T. Rybak performed 42 marriages befor 6 a.m.
“It is just exciting,” Fulton said. “Our state has come a long way.”
A long way is right. Just nine months ago, 52.6 percent of Minnesota voters rejected a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. In a quick turn of events, the Minnesota Legislature passed a same-sex marriage bill in May, which Dayton signed on May 14. Minnesota is the second state in the Midwest, 12th in the country, to legalize marriage between same-sex couples.
Love at first sight
The fairytale between Evans and Fulton developed just two days after Evans moved to International Falls from St. Cloud to attend school at Rainy River Community College last year.
“As soon as our eyes met, there was an immediate connection and we both knew there was an interest,” Evans said of meeting Fulton who was working at Holiday gas station.
Evans started making frequent trips to Holiday and a friendship was easily established between the couple and eventually they started dating.
“We’ve only been dating four months,” Evans said. “And we got engaged June 29.”
Both women are comfortable with who they are and say they aren’t ashamed of their sexual orientation.
“I just brush people off,” Fulton said of those who are judgmental. “They’re not going to change their minds about me, so I can’t let it bother me.”
On the same note, Fulton admits there are those close to her who have struggled with her relationship.
“This isn’t a phase, it’s not going away,” Fulton said of being gay. “There are people who just don’t understand.”
And both say they’ve “heard it all.”
“We understand we’re young, we know a marriage isn’t about being this happy all the time, we get it,” Evans said. “Still, we know what we want. We are not giving up everything and anything to be together.”
Planning a life together
In April, Fulton enlisted as an infantry mechanic with the U.S. Army and will relocate to North Carolina Sept. 3 for boot camp. The decision, she said, came with little support from family members.
“My family is somewhat supportive, but I don’t think they like (my decision),” she said.
Evans, on the other hand, couldn’t be happier for her fiancee.
“I have very big military background and I was super excited for her,” Evans said. “I want her to chase her dream.”
Challenges, however, do lie ahead.
Evans plans to stay in International Falls to finish her degree and won’t make the 1,400-mile trip across the country to join her soon-to-be wife for at least six months.
“It’s going to be hard,” Evans said glancing at Fulton. “I’m going to miss her. (Being with her) is everything I’ve ever wanted.”
