'A lover's day': Pueblo couples continue tradition of getting married on Valentine's Day
Hand in hand, newlyweds Robert and Sophia Derby walked out of the Pueblo County Clerk and Recorder's office this Valentine's Day en route to their next destination — a honeymoon in the Bahamas.
Robert and Sophia met three years ago at a classic car show and their relationship has been "fireworks ever since," as Robert puts it. The two got engaged, left Colorado Springs, found their dream house in Pueblo and raise seven children together. The couple decided a few weeks ago they would get their marriage license on Valentine's Day.
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"It's a lover's day ... I just thought, 'Why not?' " Robert said. "It worked out. Everything has fallen into place for us."
Sophia left the courthouse proud to call herself "a Derby" and showed off her husband's engagement ring — a collection of Leo cut diamonds that Robert said made him look like an NFL player who'd just won the Super Bowl.
As of the Chieftain's 3 p.m. Tuesday deadline, five couples had come to the courthouse on Valentine's Day, joining nine other couples who came to the courthouse on Monday to get a license.
Valentine's Day and the days leading up to it typically see more marriage licenses issued than any other time of the year, said Kimberly Blanchard, a Pueblo County recording clerk.
While this year's Valentine's Day marriage license totals were a drop from the 19 licenses issued in 2020, Blanchard said that may be because more couples are planning ahead so they can actually get married on Valentine's Day, as licenses are valid for up to 30 days.
From Jan. 1 to Feb. 14 of this year, 90 marriage licenses have been issued in Pueblo County.
Scheduled appointments are no longer required for Pueblo County couples to receive a marriage license. Couples may walk into the Pueblo County Courthouse, 215 W. 10th Street, with their partners, valid identification and $30 cash between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to fill out an application.
"They're happy to spend the money on a marriage license typically ... it's a very happy occasion," Pueblo County Clerk and Recorder Candace Rivera said. "It's exciting when someone comes all dressed up and ready to sign that marriage license."
Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached by email at JBartolo@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo couples continue tradition of getting marred on Valentine's Day
