Symbolism.

19 years ago, I met and fell in love with my soulmate Paul.

The rings above represent a special day in our lives - the day we became civil partners.

I know many are still opposed to same sex partnerships and many lesbian, gay, bi and transgender people sadly face criticism and prejudice daily.

This picture is dedicated to those that cannot freely express their love for one another and to let them know that their battles are never forgotten.

[Tara]

Beautiful capture and I love the title and message. Love, Love, Love.

[Shawna Schroeder]

This is beautiful, nicely done :)

[Captured4Ever]

So wonderful to hear that you and Paul have risen above the hatred and intolerance . . . live your life - it's yours and only yours to live. Great tribute.

[Trudi Oliver]

Beautiful image, so glad you too are so happy together

[Darren Juden]

@tara11 Thank you Tara!

[Darren Juden]

@shawnasays Shawna - thank you kindly :)

[Darren Juden]

@lbluejaye8 Many thanks Laurie - we've been pretty lucky in terms of acceptance from family and friends. I appreciate your kind words :)

[Darren Juden]

@trudio Trudi - thank you ever so much :)

[Katterina ❥]

Oh, life is so short! Live it the way you like it! Favor of freedom of the spirit!
Be happy for many years!
So beautiful shot!FAV*)

[Darren Juden]

@katerinatina Beautiful comment Katterina - thank you very much for your lovely words and for faving this special image :)

[Al Bailey]

Beautiful ..... words and picture. A fav for me as I love that flare!
Lovely that you and Paul are happy ..... I am all for civil partnerships! ;-)

[Darren Juden]

@willowdragon Thanks Al for your fav and great comment :)

[Rona]

Great image, fabulous sentiments, agree with above, life is for living and live to your best for you and be happy, it shouldn't have to be a hard fought fight to have what everyone else as, wishing you lots of happyness :)

[Maria Swaisland]

What a great shot, love the flare too - fav! Wishing you and Paul many more happy years together :)

[Marloes]

FAV for this nice symbolic pic! I understand your feelings and I sympathise with them and with all the LGBT'ers! Congrats too!!! :)

[Captured4Ever]

@darrenboyj The world is progressing . . . :)

[Margaret Brown]

Lovely capture and sentiments, every thing changes in time......

[bmnorthernlight]

Beautiful image and words! It shouldn't have to be a battle to be happy

[Claire]

Such a stunning shot love is love period

[Elisabeth Sæter]

Lovely capture!

[Loopy-Lou]

Beautiful capture,

[Michelle]

Wonderful!

[Marilyn]

Love the setting,the flare especially:-) Beautiful tribute to the one you love. Be happy and ignore those whose opinions differ:-)

[Kathy A]

Beautiful image and words. My son had to go and live in LA so he could get married to his husband.

[Sue Wilde]

This is a beautiful representation

[Sarah Munnings]

I think it is wonderful that you and Paul have been together for 19 years. I always said to my children that it didn't matter who they loved gender wise, as long as they were happy. I think the whole world should be like that!!

[Natalie]

Beautiful words and shot

[eDorre]

Fav for composition and commitment and your heartfelt words!

[Nita]

A wonderful shot, lovely title and a wonderful message. Congratulations on your 19 happy years, wishing you many more.

[Debra]

Nicely done Darren. I like the flare off of the rings, too.

[👑 AnaZad]

Beautiful capture and congratulations to Paul and you. So glad you remain happy and hope many years better and better. FAV

[Anja]

A beautiful tribute! Congrats on your special day!

[jayn]

congratulations! good for you and paul. love this shot, especially the sparkle :-)

[carol white]

Very creative and symbolic!! Hope you have many more happy years together!! Fav!!

[Taffy]

Stunning image -- both the image and the symbolism behind it. I love the way you have the rays bouncing off the ring. Congrats on your 19th!

[Kay Hodges]

Beautiful shot

[Lynne Hart]

Love this capture and having read your sentiments and the comments above it makes the image even stronger. I always think it is so important to share lifes ups and downs with and if that is someone of the same gender - so what, its the love and compatability that counts. Congratulations on being together for 19 years, and wishing you and Paul many more to come.

[Nina Ganci]

Lovely photo. Very symbolic. Congratulations! wishing you every thing of the very best

[Darren Juden]

@ninaganci Thanks kindly :)

[Darren Juden]

@lhart Lynne, thank you ever so much for your kind words. It's very much appreciated :)

[Darren Juden]

@taffy Thank you :)

[Darren Juden]

@carolmw Thanks carol - your comment and fav are appreciated :)

[Darren Juden]

@jaynspain @stiggle With thanks to you both :)

[Darren Juden]

@anazad511 Your kind words are wonderful - thank you :)

[Darren Juden]

@debrac Thanks Debra!

[Darren Juden]

@sansjuan Very kind of you, thank you!

[Darren Juden]

@edorreandresen Thank you kindly for comment and fav :)

[Darren Juden]

@nataliejohnson22 Thanks Natalie!

[Darren Juden]

@pixiemac Fab words, Sarah - couldn't agree more!!

[Darren Juden]

@swilde thanks Sue :)

[Darren Juden]

@kjarn Thanks for the comment. I hope your son is as happy as I am :)

[Darren Juden]

@stormi40 Marilyn, thank you :)

[Darren Juden]

@elisasaeter @bizziebeeme @mtpagano Thanks goes to you all for your comments :)

[Darren Juden]

@bmnorthernlight Thank you - your words mean a lot to me :)

[Darren Juden]

@craftymeg Thanks - the world has come a long way, hopefully things will get better for those that cannot freely express their love, and soon!

[Darren Juden]

@lbluejaye8 It certainly is :)

[Darren Juden]

@stimuloog Thanks Marloes :)

[Darren Juden]

@mariaswaisland Maria, thank you ever so much :)

[Darren Juden]

@bjdmum Thank you kindly for your wonderful comment :)

[Christine]

Happy 19 years together. There is so much hatred in the world today it is so important that love shines through.

[Sarah]

Beautiful shot!

[Annie D]

what a beautiful image to represent something so special - you are so lucky to have found your soulmate and been able to spend your life with them - love is always special

[Paul "Snapchap" Everest]

An excellent image. Hell's teeth, people have married video animations, refrigerators and other unlikely items. Why does the world have a problem with LBGT marriage?

[Darren Juden]

@steampowered Nicely said :) Thanks for commenting.

[Darren Juden]

@chris17 Thanks kindly Christine!

[Darren Juden]

@annied I feel VERY lucky to have found my soulmate - makes me smile every single day. Thanks for leaving a lovely comment :)

[Darren Juden]

@sarahpeterson Thanks!

[Tricia O'Donnell]

This is beautiful, nicely done

[Lesley Aldridge]

Nice image and belated congratulations on your 19 years together, that's some achievement

[MashaPix]

Beautiful...