Our many miles travelled this summer, Fountain Hills to Seattle; Seattle to Minnesota, back to Seattle and finally home again allowed only a brief visit with a long-time friend near Rochester, Minn.

Our friendship is deeply rooted in the ‘60s, a time so long ago and yet sometimes so real and fresh and new.

We had about 30 minutes to catch up on a couple of years, see a lovely home, review memories of other people in the family, and then prepare to leave.

But it was Aug. 1 in Minnesota, a day like most other Minnesota or Arizona day. This Aug. 1 was different...same gender couples could legally be married in Minnesota! As we shared hugs and said farewells he simply said, “As of today it is no longer a question of ‘if we will get married,’ but ‘when’ we will get married.”

A profound and beautiful moment, a moment I wish for many couples. The day is coming when the “if” will become “when” throughout this country I love and within the faith I embrace and seek to live.

For now, we could celebrate that “marvelous good news” with a friend in Minnesota. We work and pray toward that day in Arizona.