Yesterday, the last day of January 2011, was a beautiful sunny day and it was the highlight of my year so far. They say “sometimes the best things in life are free” and they also say “that giving is better than receiving.” Now I don’t know who “they” are but sometimes “they” get it right. I can’t really go into it at this time. All I can really say is that it was a real joy to do it and I’ll let you all know what night it is going to air on a major network. Curious? I know. It was really cool.
You know what else makes me happy? Vow-renewals. In earlier blogs, I’ve mentioned how much I love weddings. Vow-renewals, however, are their own special event. At vow-renewals I’ve photographed, there is rarely any Pomp, let alone Circumstance, (whatever that is). It’s usually just the couple with and sometimes without the kids. It is always small and intimate and special. It is an event that couples do for a myriad of reasons, but it is an event that gives us newbies hope in “everlasting love” and everyone else a renewed faith that it does exist.
Vow-renewals are different than weddings. The puppy love, the infatuation, and the lust has faded and the expectations of marrying a perfect partner has disappeared. In it’s place, however, has grown a love that is much greater. It is a love that has left the head and sunk into the heart or even deeper into the soul.
It is a love with a history that only the couple share. (No matter how many supporting actors and extras, marriage truly is a stage set only for the two primary actors. i.e. It isn’t called “Romeo & Juliet & Their Crazy Cousins, Near Sighted Parents, a Maid & a Monk” It’s called “Romeo & Juliet”.) Their history includes diapers & disappointments, accomplishments & failures, successes & shared hurts, a lot of laughs and more than a few tears for sure. More importantly, it is a history of forgiveness & spiritual growth. It is a love that only the well seasoned can fully comprehend for it goes way beyond the youthful mountain top cry “YooHoo! We did it! We’re married!” Instead, it is a quiet declaration to each other that “looking back over everything, through the laughter & the tears, I Love You, and I’d do it all again……… but only with you.”
That’s awesome!
My last photo shoot of 2010 was John & Laura’s 10 year vow renewal on Lindquist Beach, St. Thomas. The “bride” was excited about the photo shoot after the ceremony and the “groom” asked “do we really need that many pictures?” (Typical guy, right?) In the end, they both had so much fun it was John who kept thanking me for such a great time.
And what did the bride say? (from an e-mail) ”Thank you so much Eric, they’re beautiful! You are SUCH a talented photographer. I am thrilled with our experience and with how well the photos turned out! I couldn’t be more pleased. You did a wonderful job capturing the special moments. I will always smile when I look at these photographs….” –Laura
John & Laura: Thank You! Thank you for refueling our hope in everlasting love. It was a great way to end the year. –Eric
"Happily Ever After"
An intimate ceremony on the beach
The smiles tell the story
"Walk hand in hand.......
....make foot prints in the sand......
..... and have FUN!" Congratulations John & Laura! I'll see you in 10.
All photos © Ej 2010 www.paradisepictures.vi, Lindquist Beach, St. Thomas, USVI. Officiant Bill Arnet
Correction: Earlier I wrote, “always small and intimate” now let me correct myself and mention that every year on Valentine’s Day St. John wedding officiant Anne Marie does a, “tourist or local all are welcome”, sunset Vow-Renewal ceremony on Trunk Bay Beach, St John. A fellow photographer, who covers it every year for the local paper, tells me that it is way cool. Guess what we’re doing for Valentine’s Day? Don’t tell my wife, even though we haven’t yet reached our 2nd anniversary, we’ll be there and out to dinner afterwards. It will be a wonderful Valentine’s Day shared with many couples still in LOVE. –Eric
