A state appeals court upheld a decision Wednesday that allows Westchester County to recognize same-sex marriages performed out of state.

The unanimous ruling found that County Executive Andrew Spano did nothing illegal in 2006 when he signed an executive order recognizing out-of-state gay marriages, making Westchester the state's first county to do so.

"We were thrilled, yelling and screaming," says Michael Sabatino, of Yonkers, describing how he felt when the ruling was issued.

Sabatino married his longtime partner Robert Voorheis in Canada six years ago, and thought Spano's executive order would allow his marriage to be recognized in Westchester. But local families sued the county soon after the order was signed.