There are days when I simply forget how far we have come because I'm just living, and then there are days when I realize how far we still have to go. However, there is one day that will always be special to me...Loving Day. I'm sure there are many of you out there that don't even realize what Loving Day is or what it represents, but to me it represents my heart, my marriage, my love. So what is it? It's the anniversary of the June 12th, 1967 Supreme Court decision....
Loving vs. Virginia ~ "There can be no doubt that restricting the freedom to marry solely because of racial classifications violates the central meaning of the equal protection clause."
Richard and Mildred Loving, an interracial couple....(how PERFECT is their last name by the way...REALLY, that is their last name!).....were forced to leave their home state of Virginia after they married, because back in the late 60's their union was still illegal in 16 states. Yes, illegal! They had two options....go to jail, or leave Virginia. They packed up and moved to WA, D.C. and the rest, as they say, is history. They didn't just move, they fought (all the way to the Supreme Court), they won, they LOVED! Bravery, courage, determination, and true love won out. How cool is that!?! Because of this amazing couple my husband and I are free to live and free to love. I can't imagine having to fight for the right to marry the man I love. I would though...no doubt...no question in my mind. I would fight like a lion! It still boggles my mind to even think that it was illegal for two people to marry solely because of the color of their skin. This was during my lifetime no less. How insane were "we" back then!? This is why it is so important to always stand up for what is right. If we stay quiet and do nothing, then nothing happens. If we speak up, and teach tolerance, then everything can happen! Sometimes laws might be changed and sometimes minds might be changed.....either way, we move forward, and that my friends, is a good thing! So to Richard and Mildred Loving, a brave couple who stood up for the their love and their rights, here's to you, from all of "us"....thank you Loving's for giving us the RIGHT to live in LOVE!
For more information about this special day and this amazing couple visit:
For more information on their struggle:
(Originally posted in 2010)
