Five years ago yesterday, the first "I do" heard around the world rang out when Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin exchanged wedding vows in the early morning hours at San Francisco City Hall, prompting the first gay marriage in California state history. Flash forward to today, we see naivety, loathing, and one of the country's lesser states banning said nuptials and allow discrimination in the state constitution.

Yesterday was Freedom to Marry day, an annual event where activists gear up for rallies at marriage bureaus or county clerks' offices in communities large and small -- including Arkansas, California, Florida, Kentucky and Nevada. Just in time for Valentine's Day, here are a few scenes of what went down at City Hall in the name of, aw, love.

Be sure to check out all news for coverage about civil marriage equality in California over at Stop8.org.