Same-sex couple who led marriage fight, jointly adopts children

They made history when their fight to legalize same sex marriage went all the way to the Supreme Court and became the law of the land.

But April Deboer and Jayne Rowse weren't trying to make history; they just wanted to jointly adopt their five children.

On Thursday, with their marriage legalized a few months back, the Michigan couple was in court before a judge, finishing what they started.

"From this day forward you are her parents, congratulations," said the judge.

The Deboer-Rowse family was finally able to jointly adopt all of their children, welcoming their newest addition 1-year-old Kennedy.

"Wow, just like that I have five more grandchildren," said an excited grandpa.

That's right, five kids.

"I'm Nolan and I'm 6 years old."

"I'm Jacob and I'm 5 years old."

"I'm Ryanne and I'm 5 years old."

"I'm  3 years old."

That was Rylee - and as of this day, she and all of her siblings have now been jointly adopted - all five have two legal parents.

"I can't believe its November and 70 (degrees) and I can't believe we're getting to adopt them today," said Jayne Rowse.

"I never imagined that this day would come and here we are," said April Deboer. "We're a legal family and what we fought for so long - is finally here."

Finally, after four years. They started out trying to jointly adopt their three children - Nolan, Jacob and Ryanne - but couldn't because they weren't married. They couldn't get married in Michigan because they're gay.

So the adoption fight turned into a fight to legalize same sex marriage - that went all the way to the Supreme Court. The court ruled in their favor and before long it was wedding bells for April and Jayne.

And now this, five orders of adoption - all five now say April and Jayne are the legal parents.

"I couldn't be happier," said attorney Dana Nessel. "It's the best day ever, honestly."

Nessel has been with them since the beginning. It's been a long road.

"Finally," Deboer said. "It has been such a long journey. We're finally a legal protected family.

"We've made changes throughout the United States and we're very proud of that. But I think our proudest moment is this one right here.

Right here, where family - is forever.