To celebrate their parents’ 36th wedding anniversary, Rachel & Sara asked me to do a photo shoot with their parents… as a surprise! A surprise? Are you sure you want to surprise them with a photo shoot? A casual yes was the answer! (Perhaps I’m just projecting my fear and discomfort of being photographed, hence becoming a photographer! You’re always safest behind the camera!)
We had a meeting time and place. I knew they would be walking south on Riverside Drive so I got there early to be in position. I wanted to photograph the family walking and their reactions when they figured out what was happening! When they eventually did, I got a big wave! Whew, they were happy about their gift! 
Meet Monica & Arnie! They met on a blind date set up by mutual friends of their parents and the rest is history!
I first photographed these two love birds when Rachel, the elder daughter married Scott. I remember smiling as I photographed them dancing at the wedding to their wedding song, so engrossed with each other that everyone else seemed to melt away.
In Judaism 18 is a special number because it means chai or life. This means that multiples of 18 are considered special and lucky. Being married 36 years is extra special as it means double chai. Their daughters wanted to honor this anniversary with the gift of photographs because besides the pictures in their wedding album, they do not have any photographs from their wedding that they can frame and have around the house.
There was one more surprise, Rachel and Sara brought their wedding album so they could snuggle up on a city park bench and reminisce!
They laughed, smiled and pointed people out to us, it was adorable!
The happy family then added one amazing son-in-law, Scott to make it a happy family of 5!
The photo shoot was coming to an end and when I asked them if there were any other photographs they would like me to take, there was… just one more! Arnie walked Monica over to a bench and then he dropped to one knee! She beamed, he spoke words we couldn’t hear and then they kissed!
Here’s a bit of the back story as to why he did this!
According to Monica: “When he proposed to me in Curacao it was at night and we were on the beach. He had a long speech (not on his knees) recounting our relationship, I kept waiting for the “but” thinking he was going to break up with me. Then we realized that we were being eaten alive by horrible stinging flies and we fled the scene.”
According to Arnie: “I generally concur, although I believe I was on one knee! It was our first night in Curacao, what would be the logic of breaking up and then having a miserable rest of the week?”
Regardless of how it happened on that warm buggy night back in Curacao, it happened here on a chilly day in New York City definitely!
Here’s to 36 years of partnership, hand holding and laughter! Your marriage is a wonderful role model not only for your daughters but for us all!
As a newly-wed (well 2 and half years in), I daydream in wonder about what my husband and I will be like in 34 more years! The memories we will have made, the lives we will have led…and so much more will still be ahead us! Congratulations to a beautiful couple. You are truly an inspiration of love, companionship, and endurance.