A Brooklyn Bride

So where do a girl and a guy who were born in Brooklyn, New York, go to have wedding portraits taken? Of course, they go under the Brooklyn Bridge in Brooklyn Bridge Park! My daughter and son-in-law wanted to have this iconic landmark as part of their wedding shots, even though they now call the state of Colorado home.

Their professional husband and wife photography team went to great lengths to get their shots, and we were so happy the weather cooperated with us.

I had brought along my point and shoot camera and was able to take these photos while we waited. In this shot, my daughter is waving to people cheering their congratulations from a Circle Line Sightseeing cruise passing by in the East River.

Because we were in Brooklyn Bridge Park on a beautiful day, we were sharing our photo opportunity with quite a few park goers. On the other side of the park were picnickers and Jane's Carousel in full use. I've blogged about this wonderful new addition to the park on this post.

The bride and groom -- my hope is that the construction fence in the background isn't seen in the professional shots!

 I captured the bridesmaids having a good time as they waited.....

...and one of the groomsmen took this photo of me with my son and husband.

Just look at this spectacular view only surpassed in beauty by the gorgeous line of young women standing in front of it!

At one point I caught my son and daughter-in-law smooching--I'm sure they were thinking about their own wedding day almost eight years prior!

The photographers moved us all into the historic ruins of the Civil War-era Tobacco Warehouse in the park.  It is a another popular place for photos, as you can see by my daughter glancing at another bride and groom having their photos taken.

Our photographers had the bride and groom stand still while the bridal party had to run, jump and leap behind them.  I'm sure there will be fun shots to see!

  I could not take my eyes off my darling daughter and handsome son-in-law.

I also took the opportunity to take some more candid shots of my son and husband and daughter-in-law.

Finally, always being in a blogger mode, I couldn't resist taking this artsy shot of the Manhattan Bridge through the window frame of the warehouse.

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Happy Memorial Day!

Last week I went with a friend over to the American Veterans Memorial Pier, which is located in the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, and situated between the Verrazano Bridge and New York Harbor, with the borough of Manhattan in the distance. I was there to observe the 25th annual "Fleet Week New York" which celebrates our nation's sea services. This year, the seven-day event coincides with the Bicentennial commemoration of the War of 1812 and will host more than 6,000 service members from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard team in addition to coalition ships from around the world.

Unfortunately, we were late to see most of the tall ships arriving in the harbor, but we did arrive in time to see the USCGC Eagle (WIX 327) arrive through the misty waters under the Verrazano Bridge.

She began to open her sails once she approached the harbor -- a magnificent sight!

Overhead, there was a parade of light aircraft and military helicopters passing by.

One by one, ships from all around the world arrived under the bridge and into the harbor. This was the entire order for the parade of sail: Fireboat Harvey, Juan Sebastian De Elcano (Spain), KRI Dewaruci (Indonesia), La Belle Poule (France), Etoile (France), Cisne Branco (Brazil), Buque Escuela Arm Cuauhtemoc (Mexico), ARC Gloria (Columbia), BAE Guyas (Ecuador), USCGC Eagle (WIX 327), USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), USS Mitscher (DDG 57), HMCS Iroquois (Canada), USS Gonzalez (DDG 66), JS Shirane (Japan), USCGC Seneca (WMCE 906), USS San Jacinto (CG 56), FNS Pohjanmaa (Finland), USS Donald Cook (DDG 75), RFA Argus (United Kingdom), USMMA T/V Liberator, USCGC Willow (WLB 202), USS Wasp (LPD 1).

Soon, we saw the USS Roosevelt (DDG 80)...

.... with all its sailors lining up along the front, back and sides of the ship.

It was truly an exhilarating sight to watch ship after ship arrive and we were entertained by a few Navy Blue Angels flyovers.

It almost looked like some of the ships would have a hard time sailing under the bridge...

...but they made it!

I loved seeing this red tugboat pass by on its way

..........to escort an aircraft carrier into the harbor.

A few navy Jets roared overheard ...notice the fiery dragon decal on the tail of the plane on top!

The most thrilling sight to hear and see were the US Navy Blue Angels who passed over numerous times in perfect formation.

At one point they were close enough that I could actually see their pilots and tail numbers through my camera lens!

As the morning progressed the isle of Manhattan in the distance shimmered with a watercolor glow due to the heavy misty fog in the air.

It was really an unusual sight to see, almost mystical.

I zoomed in with my long distance lens to get this shot of the Wasp aircraft carrier passes by the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor.

It was an inspirational sight to see!

On this Memorial Day, and every day,  may we remember to honor the brave men and women of the military who have sacrificed their lives to help preserve our nation's freedom!

Wedding Day Bliss!

We gathered on a beautiful day in May under sunny skies, light breezes and spectacular views of Manhattan from our location in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. On the right, we saw the span of the Williamsburg Bridge, mid-town and the Empire State Building.....

...on the left, we saw the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges and Lower Manhattan in the distance.

Straight ahead was the wedding arbor full of flowers and the chairs waiting for guests.

The wedding was about to begin and the string quartet began to play.

My handsome son escorted me to my seat.

My soon to be son-in-law Joseph's stepmother and uncle entered, representing his parents who are sadly deceased.  We know they were with us in spirit that day!

...followed by my soon to be son-in-law and the minister.

Then my son, the bridesmaids, matrons, and groomsmen processed in, one by one as the music played. Except for my son and one friend of the groom, all the groomsmen were all brothers of my son-in-law.

We then waited for this special moment...

...when my proud and happy husband and my sweet daughter began their walk down the aisle....

...towards her waiting groom.

They listened to the beautiful and sacred words of Corinthians 13:4-8:

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.  Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.  And now these three remain faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love."

They also read their own vows that were written from their heart.

My eyes teared with joy as they proclaimed their love and devotion.

They exchanged wedding rings...

...again expressing their love for each other.

And they were pronounced before God and family and friends as husband and wife!

My husband embraced his new son...

...and Lisa and Joseph began their walk down the aisle as Mr. & Mrs.!

Of course, I have much more to show, as we had a wonderful celebratory reception afterward that I know you will enjoy seeing.  I will blog more about the wedding soon, as many photos are coming my way that were so graciously taken by family and friends. It has been so wonderful to re-live these happy moments through these photos as we wait for the professional shots.  I was so relieved that those who traveled far for the wedding -- one of whom was a Navy buddy of my son-in-law who traveled all the way from a Navy base in Italy -- all arrived home safely. Honestly, the many months of planning and the build-up of excitement and anticipation for this wedding was so worth it to ultimately give our daughter the wedding of her dreams. Thank you for being a part of the journey and for all your best wishes!  We could not be happier and more excited to see her marry a man who will love, honor and cherish her forever!