Tax Time

This is a stressful time for same sex couples, those who live in states that do not recognized their union anyway. We have been through our fair share of accountants but finally I think we have found “the one”.

This marks year number two for her and the fact she agreed to do our taxes again says a lot! (Ha!)

We did get some good news—as of 2013 we can now file jointly on our federal, once we are married in a state that allows that. So the new goal is to get married…..again. This time in Illinois and a lot cheaper/faster! I am trying to figure out how we can get this done while on vacation in May. She said we can go back to 2012 once we have this done. She also said this will benefit us when Duste is the only one working and I doing the stay at home mom thing. This way she can claim me, our child and qualify to receive the Child Tax Credit. (woohoo!)

Save the dates and invites!

We used our pictures from our Engagement photo shoot to print up customized Save the Dates and Invites! We are going to use some of our pictures from the wedding for our Thank You's as well!

Super Cute, looks Super Professional and not very expensive!

Getting married in a state where it is illegal

As we announce our wedding to our family and friends we are getting the “Is it legal” question. Now—the way I am taking this question may not be what is intended but it makes me feel they are saying because it is not legal in the state of Indiana for two of the same sex to marry then my celebration is less important. Technically a marriage is just a piece of paper you get at your local court house—the wedding is the celebration after. The Wedding Ceremony is a ceremony of love, the love between two people, and the guest are there to show their love and support for the couple. The only thing different about our wedding and others is a piece of paper. Our Love is just as strong, if not stronger; our Commitment to each other is just as meaningful. We share the same last name, we sleep in the same bed, we love each other more than words can express. We are Mrs. & Mrs. Eggers—deal with it! No laws and certainly no person is going to tell me what I can’t have, can’t do, can’t love. Those who think they can really don’t know me! I find a way. Redneck Republicans don’t scare me! (Ha!)

This is going to be a happy day for us; it’s going to be perfect and wonderful. I will never let the negative Nancy’s rain on our wedding!

A Few More Pieces to go before the Wedding Puzzle is complete

We will be shopping for me a dress this Saturday! Once we have the dress then we can get Duste’s suite Vest and pants. Once our outfits are complete we can get our flowers, let the cake lady know our colors and order our love bird topper! All the pieces are coming together nicely!


First comes Love, then comes Marriage, then comes......

Engagement Pictures—

 We met with our photographer, Tina Ott, in Story on a perfect Wednesday evening to have our engagement pictures taken. I had my hair and makeup done by Christina Rice and did Duste’s hair and makeup myself. We picked the perfect outfits a few days before, something simple in a creamy off white. We had props and the wonderfully beautiful back drop of the property around the Inn. The entire experience was perfect and the pictures show it! Within a few hours Tina had the disk ready, working late into the night as she was as excited as we were. We designed Announcement, Save the Date cards and Wedding Invites, plus got copies of all our favorites and a few for the moms. Tina even threw in a Free 8x10, pose of our choice! I am so excited!  The getting married experience is so exciting and fun so far!

I’m getting married!!

Yup- you read that right! I am marring my soul mate, the most wonderful supportive, loving, perfect, made just for me woman! We are tying the knot on Sunday, October 13^th 2013.  I have to be honest and say we have been planning this since the end of 2012. We picked the perfect spot—Story, Indiana at the Mill, the perfect season—fall with all the beautiful colors, the perfect cake, the perfect ceremony and we are going to have a DJ! Music is such a big part of who we are and we look forward to expressing our love through songs at our wedding/reception! It’s going to be a simple ceremony, short and sweet with finger snacks, refreshments and our beautiful cake. We are only inviting 25 people to keep the setting intimate.  I look forward to marring my perfect soul mate and sharing a last name with her!

The journey of changing my name….

I have decided to change my last name to that of my wonderful partner’s. As I blindly find my way through the paperwork and legalness I decided to take you with me!

So far, the system isn’t set up for names changes without marriage. I went to the Clerk’s Office at the local court house and found there is a packet of information I need to fill out and bring back. I did this and this week will turn it back in. Then she said I will have to take a paper to the local Newspaper to have an ad in the paper stating I want to change my name and that will run for 3wks, the last one running 30 days before I can get a court date. The newspaper will send me a receipt, which I have to attach to my packet and bring with me on the date. I will then go before the judge to ask if I can change my name.  Of course none of this is free—I have to pay the clerk to file my paper work and get a court date ($145) and pay the newspaper to run the add everyday for a month.  ($160)

I then looked up what will all need to be changed when I get my new last name—

Credit Cards, Bills, Bank, HR stuff at work, Insurance—house and personal, drivers license and Social Security card. My plan is to attack the Social Security office 1^st, then DMV and go from there.

It’s a lot to take on, a lot to take in and a lot of steps but I am so excited and it is sooo going to be worth it! Soon I will be Talisa Ann Eggers!!

I wonder sometimes how certain people are going to take this and other news that is coming very soon—like her parents but I think all will go well. A lot of people are just now getting comfortable with us or getting really good at ignoring it and here I go again rocking the boat! Ha! I can’t help it, I want the same things every other straight girl wants and by god I will have them…..I’m like the mail man—nothing will stop me!

 --Update—

The night before it was to run in the paper I sent a text to my parents. My mother’s response was short and sweet with “ok” but my father pleasantly surprised me with “I respect and decision you make—I love you!” Of course my Soul Mom Brenda was supportive and shared in my excitement! I also told my sister Amanda, who was over the moon with excitement, I would like to note here she doesn’t even know about part two coming in October. Lastly we broke the news to Duste’s parents on Friday who were excited I was going to carry their last name!  So all went well with part one—part two will come soon enough. I will let everyone have a little time to adjust to this before the BIG NEWS comes!

 The court mailed me my appointment date set for Early August! Things are rolling right along!