Almost two weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriages, the first same-sex license was issued in Cole County.
Steve Barnes, 46, and Ted Henke, 50, filed their paperwork in Cole County Recorder of Deeds Ralph Bray's office on Monday.
"It was quite a day, I tell you, when the ruling came down," Barnes said. "I had a flashback through my whole life and how things have changed. It was a very emotional day for me."
"I never thought it would happen," Henke said. "We've been together for 16 years and 13 years ago we got an attorney to help us look at all the scenarios what would happen if either one of us had something happen like a major illness. We had to think about things married couples don't usually have to think about."
Barnes said the ruling felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
"Even though I know there are people that will have issues with it, all of a sudden there's this legal standpoint that makes me feel equal, and I didn't realize how much of an impact the ruling would have on me until it happened," he said. "I happened to be off that day and spent most of the day on Facebook looking at all the amazing comments and overwhelming support."
Henke said they have had overwhelming support from their friends and family since the ruling.
"I grew up in a large family and was married before," he said. "Sixteen years ago, there was family that didn't support us, but time heals and things are different. We're planning to have a ceremony and a reception and I think they'll all show up."
"My family has given unbelievable support along with friends who I didn't really know where they stood," Barnes said. "It shows a lot of what people are really made of and who your friends really are. I don't think I really heard many negative comments at all."
Since the ruling came down, advocacy groups have reported that all but two counties in Missouri have said they would issue same-sex licenses. Boone County has been among the counties with the most licenses issued. As of Monday they had issued 12 licenses.