JEFFERSON PARISH (WGNO) — At 10:15 a.m. on Monday morning Jefferson Parish announced they would be issuing same-sex marriage licenses. Before that, Louisiana was the only state in the union that hadn’t issued one yet. Mississippi had issued three before halting the process.
By 10:30 a.m. Alesia Leboeuf and Celeste Austin were issued their marriage license after 38 years of dating. The high school sweethearts both work in the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court’s office, and have been carrying around the necessary documents for the license since Friday in hopes Louisiana would announce it.
The lovebirds met in high school, at a Powder Puff Tournament through mutual friends and have had each other’s backs ever since. They said their biggest concern was not being able to have any rights to be notified during medical emergencies because they weren’t legally considered family members.
They have a daughter, and grandchildren that they are excited to celebrate their marriage with. “It’s overwhelming!” remarked Alesia. “Never thought I’d live to see the day. It took us 38 years to get to this point.”
The couple has said they’re honored to be the first couple to receive their license and are looking forward to spending some well-deserved quality time together on their honeymoon.