Overview

• They first met in Münster in 1985 when a blind dog introduced Kretschmer to Mutters
• Kretschmer credits their enduring bond to his unwavering admiration for his partner
• The couple has exchanged vows five times, from a 1987 Ibiza ceremony to a 2018 church wedding on Sylt
• They remain childless by choice and describe their three rescue dogs as enriching members of their family
• Their four-decade partnership reflects Germany’s shift from limited same-sex recognition to full marriage equality