Hilda Jones and Kerin Hartsell of Chidester arrived at the Pulaski County Courthouse with only minutes to spare.
The two women were issued a marriage license at 4:30 p.m. — the same time the state Supreme Court granted an emergency stay of Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chris Piazza's ruling that overturned the state's ban on gay marriage, temporarily halting counties from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples pending appeal.
"We just wanted to get married," Jones said. "We were just desperate to get here."
The couple said they sped to the courthouse to get their license before the stay was issued.
"We were very fortunate," Hartsell said. "But, I do think about the others who didn't make it on time, but I'm hoping that will change."
The women said they have been together for almost 11 years and were surprised when Circuit Judge Chris Piazza ruled to overturn the state's constitutional amendment defining marriage as being between a man and a woman.
"We never expected that in the state of Arkansas," Hartsell said. "We're Razorback fans, and today, we're very proud of Arkansas."
The couple hasn't decided if they are going to change their names just yet, but they are planning a celebration Friday night with friends.
"We want to be together and want to be treated equally," Jones said.
READ MORE
http://www.arkansas…">State's high court issues stay of gay-marriage ruling (free)
Information for this article was contributed by Arkansas Online reporter Gavin Lesnick.