After learning of Edie Windsor's 2013 win for marriage equality, James Obergefell and John Arthur, in a spontaneous,  joyful moment, decided to marry. Jim leaned over to John and said, "Let's get married" and John said "Yes!" After 20 loving years together, and in part because John was afflicted with ALS, the couple decided to marry in the closest state where they could legally wed and only one person need apply for the license.  This would allow them to be buried next to each other as  in their home state of Ohio. 

Or so they thought.

Friends and family raised funds so the two could fly on a private jet, the only way John could make the trip with his illness progressing.  They landed on a Maryland tarmac and were married on the spot by John's Aunt Paulette.  Upon returning to Ohio, they filed a lawsuit to be recognized as spouses on John's death certificate. John passed away, 3 months and 3 days after they filed suit, but Jim continued fighting to be federally recognized and documented as husbands. He wanted the government to say they mattered, that they existed.  The case, Obergefell v. Hodges, went to the Supreme Court, winning marriage equality for all, and giving their marriage eternal validity, dignity, and the inclusive rights of marriage.