Carol Hedin was celebrating her 49th birthday, so she asked Rita Battles to join her for dinner at now-closed Jerome's, which was a nice restaurant near Clark and Fullerton. Hedin admits she was dressed rather feminine, and yet Battles arrived with her hair slicked back and wearing in cowboy boots.
"She thought, since I was more feminine, that she had to dress in a butchy manner. Rita was trying to be what she thought I wanted her to be, but in no way did I want that," Hedin said, laughing.
Battles also laughs at the memory—especially this week, as they prepare to celebrate their 29th year together. Hedin is now 75 and retired. Battles is 74 and still working in social service.
They live in Andersonville.
"I didn't think I'd meet someone as wonderful as Carol," said Battles, who graduated from Chicago's Lindbloom High School.
"She was different from anyone I had been with, and I think I was different from anyone she had been with," said Hedin, born and raised on a farm in Minnesota.
The two met years ago at the annual Gay Pride Parade, when Hedin approached Battles to introduce herself and comment about the shirt Battles was wearing, which said: A Day Without Human Rights Is A Day Without Sunshine.
"I saw her and immediately thought, 'How cute,'" Hedin admits.
Battles, though, was in a relationship at the times, so they didn't see or communicate with each other for two years.
Then, ironically, they both were at a conference and seated at the same table. At lunch, they keep looking at each other, Hedin said.
Once dating for a few years, they went together to a gay and lesbian parent group, and had been bickering that day. Someone in the group said they'd never survive. Another friend replied the opposite that, despite small bicker moments, they will grow old together.
"I guess it was just meant to be," Hedin said.
The pair had a civil union July 14 at City Hall, a moment neither ever envisioned possible decades ago when they first started dating.
So what's the key to 29 years of bliss?
"Respect, caring and the love we share for one another," Battles said. "I know I can always count on Carol. I love and respect her. And we know we can trust one another."
Battles was married to a man for 17 years and had six children. She also has 12 grand children and 12 great grandchildren. Hedin was married to a man for 19 years, and had three daughters and two grandchildren.
Many cats also have been part of Battles-Hedin's 29 years of love.
The couple said their only honeymoon plans are an overnight stay at a downtown Chicago hotel.
