Sandy Stier and Kristin Perry's plans to marry have been on hold for five long years.<br /> <br />That was when the U.S. state of California banned same-sex marriage.<br /> <br />They've been fighting for its reinstatement ever since.<br /> <br />On Friday they were among the first to say 'I do' as three judges called an instant end to the ban.<br /> <br />(SOUNDBITE)(English) KRISTIN PERRY SAYING:<br /> <br />"We didn't only go through a battle to win back marriage equality. We've been in a relationship for nine years which has been absolutely a breeze compared to winning marriage equality."<br /> <br />Nearly 650 kilometres away in Los Angeles Paul Katami and Jeff Zarillo were doing the same thing.<br /> <br />They were also plaintiffs in the lawsuit to overturn the marriage ban backed by a majority of voters in 2008.<br /> <br />(SOUNDBITE)(English) JEFF ZARILLO SAYING:<br /> <br />"And our love and devotion to one another just keeps on growing and I would expect it continue to grow until we're no longer on this earth together."
