We never would have had to go through such an ordeal if we were only able to be married.

We never wanted to charter - that was never our intention in the past. This has been a long ordeal because no one wanted to help us open up the school. This has been a nightmare, a struggle beyond struggle.

My partner Heather was grilled by hospital staff over and over about who she was and why she was there when I was in the hospital for breast cancer surgery. We never would have had to go through such an ordeal if we were only able to be married. We're grateful that our case has finally made its way to the Court of Appeals, and hope the court will recognize how badly families like ours get hurt when we're denied the protections of marriage.

That was quite an ordeal.

It's an ordeal, and I know it's very stressful.

If you look back from where we came from and the ordeal we came through, this is a blessing. The atmosphere that exists helps you to have some peace and contentment with yourself, especially as you reflect.