Five years ago, Riverland Community College instructor Kirsten Lindbloom and her partner, Ginny Larsen, declared their love for each other surrounded by friends and family.

Though the ceremony was like a marriage in their eyes, Lindbloom said, it was not considered a legal union in the state.

In August, however, that will change.

Lindbloom said it is then that she and Larsen plan to legally marry in an anniversary party of sorts where they will also exchange vows.

“This is the piece that was missing,” she said.

The sociology instructor, who lives in Austin and is Riverland’s gay/straight alliance coordinator, said she has been through an emotional and exciting week as she has seen the House, Senate and Gov. Mark Dayton pass a bill allowing gay marriage in Minnesota, effective Aug. 1.

She said she was at the Capitol on Monday during the Senate vote.

“It’s a good day for Minnesota,” she said. “I know it’s a hard decision to make, but I believe it was a right decision to make. It came faster than we thought, and we’re really grateful we’re able to see this happen.”