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Kathy Aanestad and Veda Lewis had been planning a recommitment ceremony on Aug. 2, to celebrate the 30 years they've been together.

But when the state Supreme Court on May 15, overturned a ban on same-sex marriages, they   changed their plans from a commitment ceremony to a wedding. "Thirty days ago, I didn't think this would happen," Lewis said. "I was not optimistic."

"We've been engaged for 30 years," said a jubilant Aanestad. Tuesday, the pair, with friends in tow, drove to Santa Rosa to get their wedding license.

The party left Sonoma by 7:30 a.m. anticipating they would be waiting for a while since Tuesday was technically the first day same-sex couples could get a wedding license. But there was no line, ergo, no wait and they were in and out of the office in minutes - with wedding license in hand.

"The clerks seemed to be genuinely happy for those same-sex partners who were getting a license," Aanestad said. The pair, who have been registered domestic partners since 2000, waited about a week after the Supreme Court decision before deciding to get married.

Lewis, who is a training developer with Caltrans, wanted to make sure that Aanestad would still be covered on her health insurance if they got married since Aanestad is a freelance Web designer, multimedia designer and Macintosh consultant.

"But I talked to enough people and we decided to do it," Lewis said.

Lewis said other same-sex couples she and Aanestad know are waiting until after the November election because another proposition to bar same-sex marriages will probably appear on the ballot.

"From what we've heard, it (the proposition) would automatically be challenged," Lewis said. "We didn't want to wait around."

Both Aanestad, 58, and Lewis, 54, were born and grew up in San Francisco and met through a mutual friend. They moved in together in 1980 and moved to Sonoma in 1989.

"We probably love each other more than in the first decade," Aanestad said.

Lewis agreed.

"Our commitment has strengthened," Lewis said. "It's fed us in a way we didn't expect. We're so grateful."

But the pair won't be taking a honeymoon after their wedding Aug. 2, at the First Congregational Church.

"We're going to kick back and take some day excursions," Lewis said. "And after we catch our breath, we're going to start getting the word out about the proposition. It gives us time to start working for progress. We need to get people involved to get out and vote."

Aanestad thinks if the proposition makes the ballot this year, as it did in 2000, young voters might tip the scales.

"I think young voters don't care ... they see two people in love," she said. "I think they'll make a difference."

They are also planning to organize a world-wide prayer for peace at 7 p.m. Oct. 7.

But for the time being, they're looking forward to Aug. 2.

"The whole congregation is excited about it," Lewis said.

Aanestad agreed.

"This is going to be so joyous," she said. "Our family has grown so much."

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