If you not ready to catch the feels, you probably shouldn’t read this story.
After nearly 50 years, two granddads finally tied the knot after gay marriage was legalized in the U.S.
Lewis Duckett and Billy Jones , have been together 46 years, and though they are now married, they see the legalization of their union as “an enhancement to the relationship we had.”
The couple met back in the Vietnam days, and when Jones was deployed to do a tour, the men communicated via coded letters. Back then, gays were banned from serving outright, and the men risked dishonorable discharge if they were caught. However, their love survived for the decades since the war.
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They adopted a child and are now grandparents, giving new meaning to #lifegoals.
The men were married in New York City last October, and The New York Times chronicled their journey in a short documentary. Watch below, and try not to get tears all over your keyboard.
PeterGay
Experiencing a big change of personal law twice in a lifetime! Congratulations Lewis & Billy!
jonathanc621
Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was not the law of the land during the Vietnam Conflict. It was enacted in the 1990’s. Get your history and your shit together.
fingertrouble
Strange seeing this go around all the gay sites virally – it’s the second time this has happened, since it’s from October 2013!
It’s all very sweet and all – very touching, but they’ve been married nearly 3 years. Catch up at the back!
JerseyMike
Live this story.. They have been married since Summer 2013. They ran this story in the nytimes.. better late than never Q
http://www.nytimes.com/video/fashion/weddings/100000002507994/vows-mr-duckett-and-dr-jones.html
GayEGO
How sweet it is! Congratulations Lewis and Billy!
GayEGO
This is excellent for the LGBTs. My lifetime partner of 54 years have been married almost 12 years in Massachusetts and now it is the law of the land!
Eldred
@fingertrouble: @JerseyMike:
Well, I hadn’t seen this before, so hell, let it circulate again. It was absolutely beautiful as well. Loved the pictures they showed from back in the day, as well as when they adopted their son to now, and… I think who walked them both down the aisle. Absolutely beautiful. Had me grinning like a dork.
Ralph Vendegna
Wow, what an amazing story. Congratulations men. Being together 46 yrs is awesome. Having a child also is amazing. She is a beautiful girl. It is amazing to see love shine in your hearts and enjoying life. God bless both of you and your daughter. Hugs from Chicago.
Hellen Marshall
Congratulations
Realitycheck
So sweet, they are so happy and it is beautiful!!! Good for them.
joeyty
Go Grandpas !
enlightenone
You only get one life. Make it yours! Beautiful.
FLScooter
Yes. More like this please.
Jim Corbett
So happy for you! Congrats
Brian
Congratulations to the couple!!!! If their relationship can last that long, it’s an achievement that deserves to be praised.
Jay A. Scaramazzo
God bless.
Xzamilio
@Brian: Amen. I would love to have that kind of commitment in my senior and twilight years.
SportGuy
That is so awesome! Congratulations to the newly married couple!
Kangol
It’s almost three years old but never gets tiresome, a wonderful story of love!
ShaunNJ
Congratulation Lewis and Billy – glad your love and life together has endured and wish you many more happy years together.
@jonathanc621 While you’re correct about Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell becoming law only in the 1990s, gay people were subject to dishonorable discharge (or court-martial or imprisonment) long prior. DADT was President Clinton’s imperfect attempt to address the situation which inadvertently increased discharges. For a good history before DADT. Read Randy Shilts’ book “Conduct Unbecoming….” for a detailed account of what couples like Lewis and Billy faced.
Chris
These sorts of stories crack my hard cynical exterior. I congratulate this couple. In the words of Spock, may you live long and prosper.
brparkrunner
@jonathanc621: PeterGay does have his shit together. He’s being nice and expressing his admiration for this couple. Hope you have an equally great life.
Lindoro Almaviva
@jonathanc621: Really queen? How about this:
1. they experience DADT being enacted and repealed in their lives (given how they were alive and together when both events happened
2. Seeing marriage equality going from being prohibited to being the law of the land.
That specific enough for you? Damn, queen, you need to get your shit together
BlueDude
This is a great story in so many ways. Congrats, gentlemen! May y’all have many more happy years together.
Joe
Awesomeness! Congrats to you both!!