Lets get married!

Probate judge Monica Martinez watches as Robert Garcia places a ring onto her daughter Nicole's hand Monday during a Valentine's Day wedding ceremony at the McKinley County Courthouse in Gallup. (Photo by Jeff Jones/Independent)

By Pamela G. Dempsey
Staff Writer

GALLUP — Candles, cupcakes, and flowers turned the McKinley County Courthouse rotunda into a makeshift wedding chapel.

Probate Judge Monica Martinez and County Clerks Jacqueline Sloan and Luis Ledezma processed marriage licenses, took photos, and offered congratulations to the nearly 20 couples who streamed through the courthouse on Valentine's Day to tie the knot.

"The most exciting part of my job, as a probate judge, is performing the marriages," Martinez said.

On the same day last year, Martinez performed eight or nine marriages in her own office.

This year, with all of the extra room available in the new courthouse, Martinez said they wanted to do something special.

Ledezma came up with the idea to advertise for Valentine's Day weddings and coordinated the decor for the rotunda, with flowers and decorations purchased or donated from local merchants or county personnel.

"Everyone got into the act," Ledezma said. "We want to start a tradition."

The wedding festivities were announced on the radio and within a few hours, he said, couples began calling to make appointments for the big day.

A nominal $25 purchased a license and for an additional $5 couples could get photos taken. Rings and a bouquet of flowers were provided if a couple came without.

"We were meaning to do this....so Happy Valentine's Day," said Sonia Martinez, 26, who came to marry her partner Chris Martinez, a locally-sponsored bullrider.

Melissa Joe, 30, and Calvin Joe, 25, of Gallup were married on Monday as well.

Joe said they did it because, "I love him so much, we've been together for five years."

The judge was in for a surprise herself.

Martinez's daughter, Nicole, and fianc Robert Garcia, surprised her with a ceremony of their own.

"I'm happy for her," Martinez said before she performed her daughter's ceremony. "I guess Cupid caught her too."

Because the State of New Mexico does not recognize common-law marriages, tribal marriages, and considers cohabitation illegal, Martinez said there were lots of reasons she encourages people to get married.

"They can make it right," Martinez said. "God could really bless their relationships."

Many couples come with their children and Martinez said that made her happy.

For a judge who has been married 31 years herself, she said she had a little advice to offer newlyweds.

"My advice is to put God first in their marriages," she said. "By putting God first in our marriage, He's seen us through the rough times."