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Starting at 5:01pm Monday, same-sex couples were legally allowed to marry in California. Though San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom had granted marriage licenses to nearly 4,000 gay couples in 2004, those unions were soon annulled by the state Supreme Court. The court's recent milestone decision to allow same-sex marriage has got some people calling 2008 California's Summer of Love.

Many California courthouses stayed open late yesterday to accommodate the initial rush of couples who wish to be among the first gay couples to legally marry in the state. Gavin Newsom presided over the first union, between Del Martin, 87 and Phyllis Lyon, 84. The two women have been together for 55 years, and had been married by Newsom in 2004 as well, but that marriage was soon annulled by the state.

While thousands will be married in the coming weeks, there is a sense of worry hanging over the joy. In November, California voters will see a gay marriage ban on the ballot -- if it passes, the wedding bells will stop abruptly. Mayor Newsom is concerned about the opposition, but optimistic for the future of same-sex relationships, and proud to be a part of what is happening now in California.