FOR Aisling McCaughey and Beth Healy, love is love.
They believe the bond between two people knows no gender, no age and no religion and last month they sealed their commitment to one another in a “beautiful and emotional” civil ceremony.
The gay couple, who have been together for more than seven years, said they felt “extreme happiness” on their special day at Lusty Beg Island, near Kesh. 
“We both experienced a feeling like never before,” Aisling told The Impartial Reporter.
“We felt that if cloud nine physically existed then we were most definitely on it,” she said.
Over 200 people attended the ceremony which filled the couple with “emotion and pride.”
“We felt so much love that day for, not only for each other, but for all our family and friends who shared our very special day,” said Beth. 
“We were overwhelmed by the vast amount of love and happiness that was so evidently expressed for us,” she said.
Aisling from Kinawley and Beth from St. Albans, Hertfordshire, say they have both dreamt of walking down the aisle since they were little girls and praised their family and friends.
“We both have amazingly supportive and caring families and friends and it was a true honour to have them all share our wedding with us,” said Aisling.
Aisling, the daughter of James and Patricia McCaughey and Beth, the daughter of Keith and Karen Healy, both wore wedding dresses and both walked up the aisle with their fathers. 
The couple met at a rugby tournament in Carrickfergus in May 2010. 
At the time Aisling was a member of Enniskillen Ladies rugby team while Beth played for St. Albans Ladies rugby team.
“I was obviously initially attracted to how beautiful Aisling is and also her Irish accent,” recalled Beth, a games team management officer. 
“Aisling sees the good in everyone and is extremely ambitious and determined in everything she’s does whether it’s in relation to her personal life, sporting life or career,” she said. 
“Beth is obviously stunningly beautiful looking but her beauty is not only on the surface,” said Aisling, who works as an accountant. 
“What attracted me to Beth is how confident she is and her ability to instil greater confidence in me. 
“She is one of the most loving, considerate and selfless people I know and she had the ability to see everything in a positive light,” she said.
In contrast to the rest of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, LBGT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) couples cannot be legally married in Northern Ireland.
“The theme for our wedding was very much taste the rainbow, we wanted people to see that love really is love, regardless of our gender,” said Beth.
“We honestly hope that people reading this who may question same sex marriage will understand how much this day meant to us,” she said.
Repeated bids to legalise gay marriage in Northern Ireland have been vetoed by some MLAs at Stormont and any fresh bid to introduce gay marriage legislation will only take place if and when the assembly and power sharing executive are restored.
“The ability to feel the happiness and love that we feel everyday with each other is something that everyone should feel with their loved one and I would hate to think anyone would want to deny someone that privilege,” said Aisling. 
“Looking at these pictures that we share with you today, we are proud of who we are and want to encourage more members of the LGBT community in County Fermanagh and surrounding areas that being gay is nothing to be ashamed of,” she said.
The couple believe “it is only a matter of time” before same sex marriage becomes law in Northern Ireland, echoing the words of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar who made similar comments when he attended a gay pride event in Belfast at the weekend. 
“We strongly believe in equality and respect for all in our society regardless of religion, gender, race or sexual preference,” said Aisling.
“It truly saddens us that in 2017 there appears to be a minority denying those in same sex relationships their right for marriage equality,” she said.
“Being gay is not something one chooses.
“It is not a switch that one can simply turn off, nor is it a phase that one can simply grow out of,” said Beth.
“We chose happiness over what some may believe is the social norm and are very confident in ourselves. 
“We have a loving relationship, a beautiful home and hopefully, in the not so distant future, we will start a beautiful family of our own,” she said.