'We Have Felt Invisible for So Long,' Newly-Married Same-Sex Couple Says

For longtime couple Joe Meehan and Sam Rodriguez, being able to finally get married Sunday morning was "surreal." 

While the Springfield residents have attended countless weddings, they never thought it would happen for them. 

"When we first heard it was possible, we were waiting for the other shoe to drop," Rodriguez said. "When it turned out it wasn't going to, we were overjoyed. We have felt invisible for so long. Now, it's like these rights make us visible, equal. Now we don't have to worry about our future. No more explaining, no more worrying about being treated as an outsider when it comes to matters of life like medical rights, insurance and what we won't lose if one of us passes away."

Springfield Township Committeeman and friend of the couple Ziad Andrew Shehady officiated in what was his 26th marriage but first same-sex ceremony.

"We were so happy we were able to get Ziad to officiate us," Rodriguez said. "He is a wonderful person. We were the first to get domestic partnership in Springfield, so it's just fitting that we are the first to be married."

Last week, New Jersey became the 14th state in the nation to legalize gay marriage.