Melinda and Carol

Melinda and Carol met while they were both working for Planned Parenthood. They also attended the same church. At the time, Melinda was married to her husband Daniel, and Carol was friends with both Melinda and Daniel. Melinda had a lot of lesbian friends, but always thought of herself as a straight ally.

In 2003, Melinda's husband was diagnosed with cancer. Carol was a friend and support to Daniel, and when he died in 2005, she and Melinda stayed close. Melinda would frequently call Carol and ask her to go to have dinner and attend events with her. When Carol’s cat got sick while she was going through a bad separation with her partner at the time, Melinda offered to take her cat in and care for it. Unfortunately, the cat needed daily shots and did not like Melinda very much. Since Melinda had an empty upstairs bedroom, and Carol was breaking up with her partner, she asked Carol if she’d like to move in so that she could care for her own cat. After a time as roommates, Melinda realized that her feelings for Carol had grown beyond friendship. But she was conflicted, “This can’t be right because I’m totally straight.”   Eventually she revealed to a surprised and delighted Carol that she'd fallen in love with her.

When the marriage became legal in Indiana, the two of them decided to get married the very next day. They had a very quick ceremony at their local church and then went about their day. Their relationship continues to deepen, though the most noticeable effects are that they now hold hands and Carol calls Melinda her wife.