bridal

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The brides, Leslee and Annette Kanar

Love and
Marriage

Two local women get to have the
wedding of their dreams.

Lynne Konstantin | Arts & Life Editor

Matt Harmon | Photographer

O

n June 26, 2015, same-sex marriage became
legal in Michigan.
Minutes after hearing the news, Annette
Kanar called her girlfriend, Leslee Kanar. She knew
Leslee was working, but left her a message: “I hope you
still want to marry me.”
Leslee did.
The couple had already planned to have a party on
Aug. 21, before their kids dispersed back to college and
various jobs, so they got to work making that date —
just short of two months later — their wedding date.
“It was so overwhelming,” Leslee says. “Everybody
wanted to be a part of it. So many people reached out
to us, offering to hold the wedding at their venues and
their homes. Everyone took care of us. It was amazing.
We could not wait to get married.” Adds Annette, “We
felt like royalty.”
Annette and Leslee, who each have two children
from previous marriages, had been in a committed
relationship for years, creating a life together in West
Bloomfield. “We didn’t want to go out of state to get
married because we wanted our friends and family with
us,” Annette says. “Besides, we love Michigan. We had

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56 January 28 • 2016