In just a little more than a month, marriage equality will finally have its day before the Supreme Court of the United States.

But although AFER’s case to overturn Prop. 8 affects millions of Americans, there are two notable and courageous couples at the very heart of the case. This case would never have been possible without our plaintiffs — Kris Perry & Sandy Stier and Jeff Zarrillo & Paul Katami. Back in 2009, they walked into their respective clerks’ offices, requested marriage licenses, and were denied. So began AFER’s journey to the District Court, then the Appellate Court, and finally the Supreme Court.

Around the time that the case began, AFER interviewed the couples and asked them what makes marriage so important to them. Watch their answers below.