It was a historic morning for dozens of gay couples who woke up before dawn Wednesday to apply for marriage licenses on the first day same-sex unions were legalized in the District. “It’s amazing,” said Sheri Handerhan, who was at the D.C. Superior courthouse picking up a marriage license with her girlfriend of four years, Kelly Morrison.

“We have our wedding pass, the wedding date set, family is coming. It’s just like a regular wedding — something we’ve waited for our whole lives.” The mobbed courthouse hallway broke out into giddy applause as the first same-sex couple to apply walked out of the licensing office. For many couples who had been together for years, there was a sense of subdued anticipation as they were finally having their unions recognized equally in the eyes of the law.