DETROIT, MI -- Jayne Rowse and April DeBoer only wanted to keep their adopted children together.

But their case against the state evolved into something that could topple Michigan's voter-approved gay marriage ban and may have impact nationwide.

The two nurses from Hazel Park, who have lived together for six years, initially raised their lawsuit because they can't jointly adopt their three children.

Rowse has adopted two children and DeBoer another. But while they consider themselves married, the state does not, and if one parent were to die, the other would not have the legal right to the other's child.

(It started with a close call on the highway home from Cedar Point.)

"They were just trying to protect their own children," said their lawyer Dana Nessle.

When they appeared in federal court challenging state adoption laws last year, U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman indicated that they might have a better chance if they challenged the state's gay-marriage ban.

So they expanded the lawsuit to do so.

Now, the timing of the case puts it under the national spotlight.

Friedman on Monday, days after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down part of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, denied the state's motion to dismiss the case, finding that Rowse and DeBoer "are entitled to their day in court."

(Read the full court order here.)

"This case definitely has the potential of creating precedent nationwide in challenging state constitutional bans on same sex marriage," said Nessle.

"... This case didn't start off about them being married. It started off with them wanting legal rights to their children that every married couple has. Married couples are allowed to jointly adopt in Michigan."

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette after the Supreme Court decision last week made it clear that he intends to defend the constitutional ban, which voters approved in 2004.

“The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states, not the federal government, retain the constitutional authority to define marriage," he said in a statement. "Michigan’s Constitution stands and the will of the people to define marriage as between one man and one woman endures in the Great Lakes State."

The two sides are due in court July 10 to set a trial date.

"We're just very excited about the judge's decision to move forward," said Nessle.

Follow Khalil AlHajal on Twitter @DetroitKhalil or on Facebook at Detroit Khalil. He can be reached at kalhajal@mlive.com or 313-643-0527.