Gay Couple Of 54 Years Is The First To Finally Get Married In Dallas (Photos)

Friday marked a monumental day in our country's history as same-sex marriage was officially legalized nationwide.

Just hours after the Supreme Court announced the news, hundreds of couples throughout the country tied the knot in their home states -- able, for the first time, to officially celebrate their love.

Jack Evans, 85, and his partner, 82-year-old George Harris, were one of these couples.

The two Texans have been together for a mind-blowing 54 years. They became the first of 170 same-sex couples who married that day in Dallas County, according to NBC 5.

It's fitting: Both Evans and Harris spent decades lobbying for gay rights in the Lone Star State, and together, they founded both the North Texas GLBT Chamber of Commerce and LGBT community project The Dallas Way.

Speaking with PEOPLE, Evans gushed,

You would have been blown away by the crowd there, there must have been 450 people there, people waiting to be married, reporters. It was amazing, just amazing. Ten years ago [marriage equality] was not within the realm of possibility.

While county clerks in Texas will still be able to refuse same-sex couples marriage licenses based on religious objections in some instances, the countrywide referendum is an incredible step forward in the fight for true equality.

Things are looking up.

Jack Evans and George Harris have been together since 1961.

Jack Evans & George Harris became first gay couple to get married in #Dallas after #SCOTUSMarriage ruling. @CBSDFW pic.twitter.com/h0bTwhyqdc — Jack Fink (@cbs11jack) June 26, 2015

Both native Texans, they dreamed of marrying in their home state and vowed to wait until that was possible.

After SCOTUS decision, Jack Evans and George Harris get their marriage license: http://t.co/mNcycYEh5Z pic.twitter.com/04SZsgOxZn — D Magazine (@DMagazine) June 26, 2015

On Friday, the loving couple got married.

Jack Evans & George Harris together for 55 years and finally have received their marriage license. @fox4 pic.twitter.com/IbFEtuaDxB — Kylie Walker (@kyliealexandrra) June 26, 2015

Their marriage at Dallas' City Hall was incredibly emotional.

A great day for this great country. This is George Harris, 82 and Jack Evans, 85. Married in Dallas today #LoveWins pic.twitter.com/Q5tGHwcn6I — James Purefoy (@JamesPurefoy) June 26, 2015

And their nuptials have been receiving tons of much-deserved press.

82-year-old George Harris and 85-year-old Jack Evans were the first same-sex couple married in Dallas. #LoveWins pic.twitter.com/4r9VXhadkR — Nathaniel (@QuirinoNathan) June 26, 2015

Congratulations, you two!

BREAKING Jack Evans, George Harris just became the first couple in Dallas to obtain marriage license. @TexasObserver pic.twitter.com/FUYVeglENA — Lone Star Q (@lsqnews) June 26, 2015

Citations: After 54 Years Together Jack Evans And George Harris Become First Same Sex Couple To Marry In Texas (Huffington Post), This Gay Couple Of More Than 50 Years Was The First To Get Married In Dallas After Supreme Court Ruling (BuzzFeed)