Making it official. At the stroke of midnight on Sunday, ecstatic same sex couples exchanged vows in Washington, the first day they were allowed to legally marry in the state.

Jessie Page says it was a day he has been waiting for.

SOUNDBITE: Newly married, Jessie Page saying:

"To really, to celebrate the love that we have for one another... not only through our family and friends, but also through the court system in Washington state, it's an exceptional opportunity to have everyone here to recognize it. But our union is really and truly between each other."

Washington, Maine and Maryland became the first U.S. states to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples by a popular vote in November.

Before Sunday, same sex marriage was legal in six states and in the U.S. Capital -- usually as the result of a court ruling or legislation.

American views on gay marriage have shifted significantly in recent years. A Pew Research Center survey from October found that 49 percent of Americans favored allowing gay marriage, with 40 percent opposed.

Earlier this year, President Barack Obama became the first U.S. president to say same sex couples should be allowed to marry.