Sandra: Brenda and I were best friends the minute we met in 1977. I was at her wedding, and I was there when her son Jamel was born. After being practically inseparable for 10 years, we decided to build a life together. Brenda: Our parents didn't support our relationship. For about six years it was really rocky, and times were hard for us financially. Part of our commitment was that we were going to eke it out and make things better for ourselves and our child. Sandra: After we moved into this house, the first thing we did was to go around the neighborhood and introduce ourselves as a couple. We are not going to hide or pretend. We aren't sisters. I'm not her mother. Brenda: We have to demand respect and show people how to treat us. When some neighbors started talking about their anniversary, I started talking about ours. They weren't expecting that! Some people on the block stopped speaking to us, but at least everybody knows. We don't want anybody wondering.
Together since October 31, 1987