Although they have spent Valentine’s Day together many times throughout their the 10 years as a couple, for editor Luz Chávez and her partner Laura this one is particularly special: it is the first year their relationship is legally recognized by the State of Illinois.

On June 10, 2011 -- their 10th anniversary -- with tears of joy in their eyes Luz and Laura joined the ranks of almost 2,000 couples who, according to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy organization Equality Illinois, have since sealed their love for each other when Illinois became the sixth State to legalize access to civil unions for same-sex couples.

“I cried because I’ve heard the vows on several occasions, [but] I never thought about their significance until the moment I looked into Luz’s eyes,” Laura recalls.

Although some couples celebrated their union with lavish parties, the two women chose a private ceremony.

“It was a symbolic gesture,” says Luz. “As an LGBT couple, the world is often against you, and unfortunately, at the beginning of our relationship, some of the people closest to us weren’t very supportive. So, it was important to us to take this step together, to symbolize that at the end of the day, our future only depends on us and our love is strong enough to survive on its own.”

After they took pictures by the lake near the Adler Planetarium and had lunch at the Signature Room atop the John Hancock building, the pair went to Belmont beach to recreate the moment when Luz asked Laura to be her girlfriend, 10 years ago that day.

It has been seven months since the couple’s civil union. However, the two women acknowledge that every day has been special.

“Every day since the day we ...