How do you celebrate 35 Great Years together? We decided to file for  Tampa’s Domestic Partnership Registry. It was just one year ago that we championed the rights for DPR recognition in Tampa. Lucky for us we DO NOT live in the unincorporated Hillsborough County where elected officials just voted this down.

We are truly blessed to call our Family -Friends and our Friends -Family so invitations were sent out to everybody. We started the ceremonious day wearing tuxes and then onto a family lunch at one of our very favorite restaurants, The Laughing Cat. During lunch our 3 sisters from the Wisconsin gave Carrie a lace handkerchief that our Great Grandmother wore in her wedding and has been worn and carried by all family members since. We all rode the TECO Streetcar down to Old Tampa City Hall. Many more people were there to greet us and cheer us on. The Tampa City Clerks were very friendly and helpful. Our witnesses were Sister- Yvonne Yacoub, Friend- Judy B. Good and Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn. Carrie used the same pen that Mayor Bob Buckhorn signed Domestic Partnership Registry into law. After several minutes everything was done. The press were all there for photos and interviews.

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There was then a fun ride back to GaYBOR on the streetcar. At Hamburger Mary’s there was a tasty CupCake & Celebration Party that went long into the night. If you are looking for the Perfect Valentine’s Day gift we strongly suggest DPR , https://www.tampagov.net/dept_city_clerk/programs_and_services/domestic_partnership_FAQS/index.asp

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We would like to thank everybody in our community for a once in a life time day.  Special Thank You to Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Hamburger Mary’s and our photographers; Scott S, niece Natalie, Matt & brother Ron.