There was a loud countdown and then a cheer from the crowd as the 10 o'clock hour arrived at the Ada County Courthouse this morning, where dozens of same-sex couples and hundreds of their supporters are gathered to celebrate the start of legal same-sex marriage in Idaho. Shelia Robertson and Andrea Altmayer, shown above with son Bridger, and Amber and Rachael Beierlie, who were at the next station at the marriage license counter, were the first to receive licenses. They're among four Idaho couples who sued successfully to overturn Idaho's ban on same-sex marriage; the other two couples already were legally married in other states, and sought recognition of their marriages.

Deborah Ferguson, the women's attorney, said, "We're thrilled - the day has come, it's actually here." Both couples are headed over to Boise City Hall immediately after receiving their marriage licenses, she said, where they'll be married by Acting Mayor Maryanne Jordan. "There's been enough twists and turns here," Ferguson said. "They've waited a long time - they're ready."