We know that the call for equality is simply just recognising the love between two people, and their desire the formalise that commitment before their friends and families.

As we fight for the right to be able to get married to our loved ones, we’re sharing stories of LGBTI couples, and we want you to send us your story, like many couples have already done.

Meet Alicia and Erin!

Who are you?

I’m Alicia and I’m 35. My partner is Erin and she’s 30.

I’m an author with a day job and Erin is the CEO of our lives – which would quite literally fall apart without her.

We wake up at 4:00am every day so Erin can run and I can write before our two kids wake up at 6:00am.

We are proud and dedicated coffee addicts.

How did you meet?

We met at the Court and it was one of those nights that migrated down James Street to Connections. Erin was doing cartwheels on the footpath and she was laughing and that was it.  I knew I had to find a way to keep that laugh in my life.

We had a party pash at Connections that night but Erin made me work so hard for a date and it was about two weeks later before she agreed to meet up with me again after cancelling on me! She’s been making me work for it from the beginning and nothing’s changed!

How long have you been a couple?

Eight years in October.

What’s your favourite thing about each other?

There’re so many things! I love her fierce determination and her sharp – sometimes scathing – wit.  I love how she calls me out on my bullshit and lights a fire up under me.  How she inspires and encourages me to be the best version of myself and doesn’t tolerate my excuses. I love how she looks in a pair of jeans!

But I think my favourite thing about Erin is the measure of her heart and her absolute selflessness. Her ability and willingness to put others before herself without a second’s pause.

What has been a big moment in your relationship?

You can fit a lot of big moments into eight years! Some of them amazing and some heartbreaking, most of them ordinary yet beautiful in their familiarity.

I think the first big one was getting engaged which if given the chance of a do-over, I’d do it over! I was incredibly nervous because we’d only been together for six months but when you know you know right? It was simple, I cooked dinner and put the ring in a cupcake – zero points for creativity! Erin said yes and we went to Alfred’s for celebratory late night burgers and chips!

Then was the very conscious decision to start a family.  We’d spoken about having kids together from quite early on and it was always something we both wanted.  

My mum passed away quite suddenly and not long after that we were like, what are we waiting for? And now we have two beautifully challenging little people who keep life interesting!

Why do you want to see marriage equality in Australia?

Because it’s time. Because it’s about so much more than marriage. At the crux of it, this isn’t about people actually getting married, it’s about people being afforded the same rights as other people.  

We tell our kids to believe in fairy tales, that good triumphs evil and that if they’re brave and resilient they can be whoever they want and do anything they want.  And we tell them this all the while knowing that we’ve been brave and resilient for years and we still can’t do what we want.  Something that two absolute strangers can do – so long as they’re of the opposite sex.  Sure, I want to get married but more than that I want to be equal.

And in the seven years since we got engaged both of my parents have died. They will never get to see us married.  I won’t dance with my dad at my wedding or cringe at his speech, which I guarantee you would be inappropriate and offensive. My mum won’t get to fuss and interfere as the mother of the bride.  And that’s what we’ve lost by not being equal.

How do you foresee your wedding day?

Intimate, personal, relaxed and full of love and laughter and music and a celebration with the people in our lives who have probably considered us to be married for years!

The “dinner” will be a smorgasbord of hot chips with toppings followed by a cake buffet!

And no presents!

If you want to send us your Love Letter, click here and get writing, and read other stories in this series.