TILGHMAN ISLAND, Md.- 2013 rolled in as the clock struck midnight and at that same moment, same-sex marriage was legalized in the state of Maryland.
Many couples have been waiting years to get married, and they wasted no time saying their "I do's."
Clayton Zook of Baltimore and his partner of 6 years were married today. He says, now that same-sex marriage is legalized in Md. they couldn't wait any longer.
"We never needed the recognition from the state, we had the recognition from our families and friends and co-workers already but it's certainly nice to be able to say hey this is my husband or to talk about my husband instead of my partner, it's just more personal," said Zook.
Nora Clouse and Michelle Miller of Stevensville also tied the knot Tuesday. After 15 years together, their special day had arrived.
"We've been saying that we have been engaged for 15 years and so today actually legalizes our commitment," said Clouse.
By the end of New Year's Day, a total of seven same-sex couples were married at the Black Walnut Point Inn on Tilghman Island and as a group they celebrated together.
"We told each other before that we are going to get married at some point but I think it's significant because it's the first day that we can get married and it's a great moment that we are doing at the Black Walnut Point Inn again with a mass ceremony where we can celebrate this with many other couples," Miller said.
