A single young man, probably in his early 20s, was juggling phones and paperwork when we arrived at the Hertz satellite. "I'll be right with you both," he said smiling. He was giving instructions to a couple in Marion. It sounded like their insurance was going to pay for a car.

An elderly man popped his head in the door, "Can you help me with these mirrors. I don't know how they work."

"Just a second," the young man said kindly.

The young man hung up the phone. "It sounds like some people don't have the internet," I joked.

"It is a little too expensive for the old people," he said.

The young man processed my credit card and driver's license and said, "There is going to be an extra charge to have an additional driver even though you both live in the same apartment."

I always read the fine print before entering into any contracts with companies. I knew that Hertz recognized domestic partnerships and did not charge partners or married couples for additional drivers. I pulled out my Washington State issued Domestic Partnership card and showed it to the young man, "I don't think you will be charging me extra for my partner."

"I am so sorry," he said with a genuine Iowa smile, "I was looking for your rings and didn't see any. We give you rings in Iowa. I won't charge you."

"They don't give us rings in Washington State yet," I explained. "They give us these cards so we can explain Domestic Partnerships to people when they don't understand. I use mine a lot."

"Well, they should just give you rings. Marriage is easy to understand. Welcome home."