about Me

about Me

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US!


Ken and I were married in New York City on December 31, 2014, and are coming up on our One Year Anniversary. This time last year, Marriage Equality wasn't a reality in all 50 states, and it wasn't legal in Georgia yet for us to be wed here, so we went to the Big Apple for the festivities. We had our reception back in Atlanta a couple of weeks later, and you can click on the link at the bottom of this post for pics of both occasions. Both the Wedding and the Reception were perfect in every way, and we wouldn't change a thing about either of them. 

This has been such a wonderful year. Even though he and I have been together for nearly 4 years, being Married definitely took our relationship to a different level. Marriage really is more than just a piece of paper, and is something that we both take seriously. We felt the difference in our connection in profound and inexplicable ways as soon as we said "I do" on that cold morning in Lower Manhattan.

We have no regrets about our previous marriages (2 for me, 1 for him), and love and appreciate the women who are the mothers of our children very much. We're good with all three of them, and are thankful for the relationships that we now have with them. But being married while being truly yourself is an entirely different experience, and we are much happier being married now than ever before because of that. We are better husbands now. We are better fathers now. We are better men now.

A lot has happened in these last 12 months. Marriage Equality has become legal for the whole country. Ken became a grandfather. All four of my kids now live 5-10 minutes from us. METRON is doing well. I performed many same-sex marriages for people who have been together for decades, and never thought that it would be possible for them. Most importantly, we have thoroughly enjoyed every single one of the last 365 days!

Many years ago when I began talking about 'Real People Experiencing the Real God in the Real World', I had no idea how much those words would ultimately become the theme of my personal life. But they have, and I am now a happily married and real "out" man, who is in love with his real and "out" husband (who is, quite possibly, the sweetest and kindest man in the world), with nothing to hide, nothing to fear, and everything to look forward to!

Life is good. Happy Anniversary to us!



Wedding: New York City 12/31/14Reception: Atlanta 1/18/15
Posted by Jim Swilley on Monday, December 28, 2015

30 comments:

  1. Sandy Dorland said...

    What a wild trip it's been... And the best still to come!

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  2. Jesse William Ivey said...

    Happy Anniversary Jim and Ken!

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  3. Elliott Sommerville said...

    Happy Anniversary!!!

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  4. Frances Martin said...

    Happy Days to you and Ken Marshall. I love you both more than crack!.. POPCORN!

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  5. Howard Blount said...

    Happy anniversary!

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  6. Ralph Martin said...

    Congratulations Bishop to you and Ken both, Frances and I thank God daily for adding y'all into our lives..... Happy Anniversary my friends!

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  7. Tamara Anne Murphy said...

    Thanks for allowing me to be a part of this beautiful journey of love and family..

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  8. Ken Wortley said...

    Many more great days, years...happy new day to you both

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  9. Renita Whaley said...

    Happy Anniversary, love you both

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  10. Kimberly Loveless Whaley said...

    Happy Happy 1st Anniversary!!!!! We LOVE you both!!!!!

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  11. Bobby Newsome said...

    Happy Anniversary! Proud for you guys!

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  12. Melody Osborne said...

    Happy Anniversary Bishop and Ken. Thanks for sharing your love for each other with us. Blessing for 2016.

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  13. Jenus Page said...

    CONGRATULATIONS

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  14. Damienne Black said...

    Here's to many, many, more!! Congrats fellas!

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  15. Chris Hess Tovey said...

    Lovely; thank you for sharing. Happy anniversary!

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  16. Harold Worthington said...

    I know how much this means to You Both! May You have a long and Healthy Marriage, Hugs

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    Replies
    1. I know you do...hope you're doing well...

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    2. Harold Worthington said...

      I'm trying. It's still very difficult. He would want Me to be strong. I still have My days when I just completely lose it. It's so hard trying to adjust Your Life doing things for One after being Two for 45 years. But I know He's in a better place and not suffering. For that I'm grateful. Congradulations to Two Beautiful People Body and Soul. Hugs

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    3. I can't imagine...I think about you a lot...you''re in my prayers...

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    4. Harold Worthington said...

      Give each Other a big Hug for Me.

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  17. Linda M Curtis said...

    Loved You then and Now. What a journey ~ here's to you, Both, my dear n special forever friends <3 <3

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  18. Lori Kingery said...

    Happy, wonderful, and blessed Anniversary!

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  19. David York said...

    Beautiful testimony. I remember reading your coming out story and being so moved by it, friending you, and ultimately, meeting. So happy for you both and for the example you are for others.

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  20. Don Craddock said...

    Happy anniversary.

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