DeKalb issued it's first marriage license just before noon and the couple were married by St. John's Lutheran pastor Nancy Christensen minutes later in the courthouse.

The couple, aged 55 and 57 from Atlanta, asked not to be identified.

But the pair exchanged congratulations with the second couple, Annie Dollarhide, 40, and Sylvia O'Connell of Decatur, just outside the marriage license office.

"It's amazing, O'Connell said in between quick pecks on Dollarhide's cheek.

The couple, who have a 5-year-old daughter together, said they had mutually proposed and bought rings for each other before.

But when Friday's ruling hit the news, they decided to celebrate by getting married that day.

A more formal wedding and party will come - but the legal rights began immediately.

"How many people weren't able to see their spouse in the hospital yesterday - you know that happened somewhere in America - and today we can marry," O'Connell said.

-- Filed by April Hunt

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