The scene at the county building this morning wasn’t nearly as bustling as I’d expected. I wasn’t here in 2004 when Multhomah County started issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples, but I’ve heard the line went around the block. This morning, the line only had about 75 couples in it by the time the doors opened at 8 am. Behind us, a pair of men debated whether or not to start referring to each other as husband now.

“Are you ready for your rights?” someone at the front of the line shouted a few moments before 8, then led the crowd in a countdown.

Inside, three staffers from County Commissioner Jeff Cogen’s office notarized the forms, and the crew behind the glass in the licensing office processed the paperwork and took couples’ $60. At 8:14, the first registered couple happily strolled out of the building, holding hands in a victory salute over their heads. The crowd greeted them with a huge cheer.

We showed up at 7:45, and were done by 8:30. By the time we walked outside, the line was gone, but a half dozen enthusiastic volunteers made sure to whoop and holler for ever couple that walked out the door with finished paperwork in hand.

All in all, while I’m stoked to have the security of the state rights that the domestic partnership law confers, it was an anti-climactic day. But then again, that’s how it should be—these aren’t marriages, with vows and officiating. This is boring legal paperwork. It’s a step in the right direction, but it’s just that—a step.

A woman from Black Sheep Bakery was handing out coupons to the couples, offering free coffee to celebrate. We high tailed it over to the shop, a few blocks away, after we finished our paperwork. The barista noted that we were the first to stop in, and was surprised to hear that there weren’t hundreds of couples lined up.

Unlike in 2004, however, Multnomah County’s not ground zero—couples can stop at their local county office. And, barring an injunction for the anti-gay activists who earlier delayed the law’s implementation, there’s less of a sense that domestic partnerships could be yanked away tomorrow. I’ve heard from plenty of couples who plan to stop in this week, but didn’t race to the county building this morning.