Just had a very eye-opening experience.

I get memos all the time from lenders – I’m alerted when rates improve or worsen, when a new program is available and when there is a change in procedures with an existing program.

So I’m sitting and working and ‘ding!’ I have an email from a lender we use a lot.

Ever have a moment when you feel like you’re part of something important?  Historical?  When you know you won’t soon forget the moment you’re in and have a feeling your children might remember it too?

I was a student aid for the attendance office in high school.  On January 28, 1986, I was in that office when I had to deliver a note to each classroom advising the teachers and students that we lost 7 souls on Space Shuttle Challenger.  (It wouldn’t be until a few years later when the gravity of that task hit me.)

I still have the rate sheets from 9/11 – the alerts and market suspensions.

And today – a good moment.

I read the following memo and knew that I was part of a special moment:

“Effective immediately, on a case-by-case basis, VA will provide the home loan guaranty benefit to same-sex married couples in a manner consistent with the benefit currently in place for opposite-sex married couples.  After reviewing the following information, VA will determine whether a same-sex married couple can be qualified for a VA loan using the income of both spouses:

• Date and State of marriage
• State of residence at the time of marriage
• State in which the subject property is located
• State in which the couple currently resides
• Estimated closing date of the VA loan”

(Etc.  I won’t type the whole email – I don’t need a plagiarism suit)

So!  I’m reading this – and the grin on my face is getting bigger and bigger … The fact that it’s the VA loan is even more exciting to me.  From “Don’t ask don’t tell” to VA home loan benefit for same-sex couples?

Very cool.

Now – I ran with the ‘very cool’ sentiment, literally. 

Holding the memo that I printed, like Charlie held that golden ticket, I breathlessly shared the news with whomever would listen.  My eyes glistening with a shiny happy ‘very cool’ glaze.

Did not – for ONE second – occur to me that not everyone would share my excitement or my opinion.

Oof.

I mean – seriously,  NEVER did the thought that perhaps not everyone would be as shiny eyed as me over it, enter my mind.  At all.  Ever. 

Naïve!

For sure.

I mentioned to the first person I told (after my eye-opening experience) that I needed to look at that.  I needed to look at the fact that I didn’t think anyone would have differing opinions.  He said, “Well … you wouldn’t.” 

That made me feel a little better  (but not less naïve).  I’m not comfortable that the thought wouldn’t occur to me that not everyone was open-minded and for equality.

And I’m still surprised.

Oh well,  years from now, when my great-grandchildren are thinking I’m pulling their leg about same-sexed couples being treated differently at one time – I’ll get to share with them the story of ‘the memo’.