BOULDER, Colo. — Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, the nation’s first openly gay man to be elected governor of a state, married his longtime partner on Wednesday.

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Polis married Marlon Reis in a traditional Jewish ceremony at a small outdoor venue that was officiated by Rabbi Tirzah Firestone, The Denver Post reported.

All of the guests were required to test negative for COVID-19, KUSA reported.

Polis and Reis, a writer and animal rights advocate, have been together for 18 years, the television station reported. The governor proposed in December, just before Reis was hospitalized with COVID-19.

“The greatest lesson we have learned over the past eighteen months is that life as we know it can change in an instant. We are thankful for the health and wellbeing of our family and friends, and the opportunity to celebrate our life together as a married couple,” Polis and Reis said in a statement. “After 18 years, we couldn’t be happier to be married at last.”

Marlon Reis became Colorado’s first gentleman after Polis took office in 2019, KMGH reported.

The couple have two children, ages 7 and 9, according to KCNC.

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