Former President George H.W. Bush added his signature to state wedding documents for a lesbian couple in Maine this past weekend.
Bush served as a witness to the Sept. 21, marriage of Bonnie Clement and Helen Thorgalsen, the owners of H.B. Provisions, a general store in Kennebunk, Maine.
Thorgalsen posted the above photo to Facebook Sept. 22, showing Bush surrounded by attendees and security while he signed the marriage license.
On honeymoon in London Wednesday, the couple said in an email interview with BuzzFeed they have known the Bush family for most of their 12 years together.
"They have always been not only supportive of us but including us in many of their social events when they are here in Kennebunkport," Clement said. "So it was very natural and normal for them to be invited and to attend."
The couple asked the former president to sign as a witness to the marriage because "it would just acknowledge it being real," Clement said.
"Our minister Nancy Sosa said during our ceremony 'God doesn't make a love that is wrong.' And this day proved to be so in so many ways," she added.
A Bush representative confirmed to the Washington Post that both the former president and his wife Barbara Bush were present at the wedding: "They were private citizens attending a private ceremony for two friends."
Marriage equality became legal in the state at the end of December after voters there approved a ballot measure in the Nov. 6 General Election, which ultimately prompted the couple to tie the knot.
"The fact that Maine was added to the equality rights law last November we knew it was time to make it really count for us and know that in short time nationally and federally it will be legal as well," she said.
As for all of the attention they're getting now, Clement said, "It's been wonderful but unexpected."