Lately in the news all we hear about are the negative actions that people have committed. Our news feed becomes flooded by tragic war stories, acts of violence in our hometowns, or even in despite of the law, individuals being denied their rights. Rarely do we get the inspiring stories that remind us of why we are blessed or why we should be thankful for our rights as human beings. Living in the United States we have so many advantages. Recently, even more advantages have been placed into effect for our fellow citizens. This year has struck a milestone that was fought hard for by so many. The Supreme Court has ruled that the LGBT community has the right to marry those they love. Not only was this a victory for human rights, it was a victory for love. Two very close friends of mine were greatly affected by this ruling. I have grown up with these lovely ladies and have watched them fight for their right to have the equal treatment they so very much deserved.

Tara and Amanda are old family friends of mine that have always been a very inspiring couple to me. Even though they have been through some hard times, they never gave up fighting for what they believed in. They simply wanted the right to be treated as one under the law and for their friends in the same position to have those same rights too.

They share a love story that can’t be anything short of admired. Tara and Amanda met when they were younger, I personally remember this time period, as it wasn’t easy for them to go against the common norms of society. Being young myself at the time, I never truly could appreciate what they went through until I was old enough to look back and realize how hard it must have been. However, they stood their ground and worked through it. They didn't always have friends and family on their side, but their love for one another and the support they did receive made it easier to get through it all.

Today, they live in their quiet little home in New Jersey with their two dogs, who are their children: Odie, a yellow Labrador, and Harvey, a husky-shepherd mix. This year will be the thirteenth year that Tara and Amanda have spent together. They are currently engaged and due to wed in May 2017. The couple will be continuing on with their wedding day plans, making it everything they have ever dreamed of and deserved.

I am writing this story not only because I want Tara and Amanda to know they truly are an inspiring couple, but also because they are the prime example for so many out there who had to fight for their right to be together. It’s time we shed a spotlight on the people who make this world a better place and aren’t afraid to show us that we all deserve to be treated as equals. As a society we should stop putting so much focus on withholding the rights of human beings because of religious or personal beliefs.