Rikki Rivera | Photographer » Wedding & Portrait Photography

Farewell Summer

This summer was eventful – full of love and all the expected heartache. Fall is now rolling in like an angry tropical storm, with almost just as much precipitation. Not that I mind, I thoroughly soak in the changing of the seasons and welcome the new routines that come alongside. As my children are growing, I see that our routines differ far more than ever before, and that is the most challenging adjustment [for them]. But how can you gripe when you get to cuddle in close most everyday, stay wrapped in wool blankets with the smell of pumpkin everything enveloping you like the just passed warm summer night. It’s grand.

Another year long deployment came to an end. The distance was hard as it has always been, and while it was full of love and renewed strength, it also came with its own dose of troubles. We’re all human. No shame in that. The memories of that season are fully encompassed in that deployment. I’m sure you can imagine.

The duration of summer was spent fishing, harvesting oysters and clams, a camping trip, a trip to the mid-west, movie in the park, our wedding, the passing of my only grandparent, getting a puppy, a rare date night, visiting with family from afar, and an incredible coastal trip. Looking back, I felt like we had missed out on so much. I had hoped for much more time spent outdoors together and a few more trips. Then again, we had our fair share. No sense in getting greedy.

Wedding planning was quite exciting and only became overwhelming as we approached our day. There was no real dismay, and I’m thankful for that. I had the sweetest friends spend much of their evenings and weekends helping with every DIY craft project I could think of to represent the essence of Jeremy and I, and later on, my family chipped in for every last detail. It turned out pleasantly, which I thought was a huge feat because of my lack of planning skills. I have no shame. My spontaneity is adorable. Sort of. I think. Ok maybe not, but I get by.

The end result was beautiful. It was a dream come true to be walked down the aisle by my dad, and have our first dance to a song that’s been ours since our beginning. I saw my closest day to day friends and family dressed formally for the occasion, and that made my heart melt. Over and over. I danced endlessly with my husband, had people dancing with us all night long in fact, and last but not least, married my best friend of 5 1/2 years. It hasn’t all been rainbows and roses, but I felt we were deserving. I suppose that’s why photographing weddings is one of my own personal favorite aspects of my work flow. The road to that point are long, bumpy, and sometimes a bit ugly, but come that day, none of that matters. Afterward, it’s a new chapter, a fresh start, and a happy beginning.

We’re home. Working again. And fall. Fall and rain. I’ve felt a little stuck and desperate for a hike, for a photo shoot in the sun. Instead, I’ve found comfort in the aforementioned cuddling and blankets. We spend the longer days thrifting for new treasures and purging our own. I find therapy in homemade soups and fresh bread. I’ll slowly begin a book documenting this crazy year, plan for holidays, and miss my Grandma beyond measure. Comfort will come in all forms and I’ll dream of the beach once more. And that’s a great thing.

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