Couples reflect on changes in their lives.

Dan Bilodeau (left) and Gary Benson pack their belongings for a trip to their new home in Gilford. The couple entered into a civil union earlier this year.
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Six months ago today, more than 40 same-sex couples rang in the new year by saying "I do" on the State House lawn. With that, their lives changed immediately.

Some got insurance benefits for the first time in years. A few found their political voice. Others experienced validation they never expected.

"I've spent all my life hiding my interest and desire to be with a woman," said Concord's Kay Amsden, 77, who was united with her long-time partner Mary Lou Fuller, 79, in February. "You play a role for decades because you don't want to lose your friends or your job. It was nice to have people come up and say, 'Congratulations. We are happy for you.' "

Since Jan. 1, 384 couples have entered into civil unions in New Hampshire, according to numbers from the Secretary of State's office. Fifty-nine others have obtained permits but not yet had a ceremony. The Monitor recently caught up with three newly-united couples to ask what the new law has meant to them.

A search for insurance

Gary Benson and Dan Bilodeau, both 38, met 12 years ago in a club. Two years later, they pledged themselves to one another in a commitment ceremony.

Since then, they've worked together to open Benson's Concord hair salon, Creative Color and Cuts. And they are about to move from their Concord apartment into a home they bought in Gilford.

But something was missing until this year: insurance benefits.

"It was the single most important issue for us," said Benson.

Bilodeau had coverage through his employer, Rymes Propane and Oil. But Benson was denied coverage when he tried to buy it privately because he was more than 100 pounds overweight. And even after Benson lost the weight, the insurance company told him to call back when he'd kept it off for a year.

"We put our heart and soul into this (salon)," Benson said. "We put our life savings into it. And I knew I was one accident away from losing all of it."

The couple got a civil union license in December and were joined by a justice of the peace at midnight on New Year's Eve. When the ball dropped in Times Square, Benson and Bilodeau made it official as 10 close friend cheered.

Upon becoming an official couple in the state's eyes, Rymes allowed Bilodeau, a driver for the company, to add Benson to his health coverage. For the first several weeks, Bilodeau awoke to the same refrain from Benson.

"He kept saying, 'I have insurance. I can't believe it,' " Bilodeau recalled. "It was like he won the lottery." Bilodeau experienced something else. He said getting a civil union made his already strong relationship even stronger. "I feel more secure," he said.

Their new status brought the couple another blessing they didn't expect.