The night was warm, bearing a striking resemblance to the night on October 16th, exactly one year before.  As Matt and I boarded the World Yacht Duchess, we smiled at each other,  remembering that it was on this exact ship that we got engaged.  As the sun slipped below the city skyline, Matt and I set sail on our dinner cruise around New York City, celebrating one year of marriage, filled with love.  
After dinner was served, we ventured to the lounge on the upper deck to take in the beauty of the bright city lights.  This being a momentous occasion in the journey of our lives, we began reflecting on the past year together.  How the time flew by!!  In this short year we: 
-Moved into a new townhouse, filling it with things of our own  
-Explored the beauty and the splendor of five countries we had never visited together before (Italy, Spain, France, Greece and Turkey)
-Adopted our first daughter (cat) Kylie
-Ventured onto the golf course together, where Matt discovered just how stubborn I can really be
-And realized that the thing we are most thankful for in our marriage is the constant love and support we give one another every day 
As the night came to a close, Matt and I put the past behind us and started making new memories for our future. Dancing cheek to cheek to Frank Sinatra’sNew York, New York,” I was filled with great happiness.  I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect evening, a night I will remember for years to come.
For one of my presents, Matt agreed to do a one year anniversary photo shoot in Central Park!  I was excited about the photos but even more excited that my sister Ali Beavers and close friend (and second shooter) Mekina Saylor were going to be taking them! 
I LOVE this creative angle Ali captured through the trees along the Reservoir.  
Before starting the shoot, I gave Ali a quick lesson on how to shoot in manual.  I was so impressed with how quickly she learned how to adjust the ISO and the shutter speed for the changing light!  We left the aperture wide open at 1.4 for the majority of the shoot.

I am SO IN LOVE with this sweet shot.
We arrived on bow bridge, just as the city lights began to twinkle against the night sky.  Thanks to Mekina for capturing this beautiful photo.
One of my favorite parts of our one year anniversary was cutting into the top tier of our wedding cake!
I actually thought the cake still tasted good.  Matt…not so much!!
The views from our dinner cruise around New York City were amazing…

But not as amazing as the wonderful night I spent with my husband.  Happy one year anniversary Matt, I love you sweetheart.

Liz and Ben were young.  When they fell in love that is.  As sophomores in high school, they were drawn to each other in a way that could not be explained.  Ben saw Liz first, riding around their neighborhood before the start of the school year.  He was immediately smitten with Liz, the girl with the long blonde hair and a smile that could knock you off your feet.   Liz was equally attracted to Ben’s boyish charm, and soon they were an item.  
College came and life took these high school sweethearts on separate paths.  Ben ventured to Gardner-Webb University to play baseball while Liz attended Clemson, following her dream of becoming a nurse.   For a while, Liz and Ben went separate ways giving both of them a chance to experience life and discover more about themselves.  As their college years came to a close, Liz and Ben found their way back to each other, picking up their love story as more confident versions of themselves.  
I am happy to say that Liz and Ben are two of my closest friends.  Matt and I were lucky enough to spend last weekend with them, exploring New York City and enjoying the company of this wonderful couple.  I captured these photos during our trip to Roosevelt Island and I am so excited to share them with you!  
Some things never change.  Ben is still just as smitten with Liz as he was in high school!
Liz, you are truly a beautiful person, inside and out.  Your smile brings sunshine to every life you touch. 
STOP IT!  You guys are just TOO CUTE!
We arrived on Roosevelt Island right as the sun started to set.  The light made for beautiful pictures.
I am absolutely in LOVE with this photo!  The dreamy feeling the 85mm creates is simply stunning. 

Liz and Ben, you are two of the kindest, most considerate people I know.  Thank you for your friendship.  Your joy for life makes this world a more beautiful place.

One year ago today, I married my best friend.  Happy anniversary Matt.  My only hope is that each year will be filled with as much sunshine and love as this one was.  
Mr. and Mrs. Rizzuto!
A special thanks goes out to Alisha Silver for capturing our day so beautifully.  

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Not every great restaurant is located right in the center of Manhattan.  Sometimes you have to travel over the bridge to Brooklyn to experience mouth watering deliciousness.  One of my favorites has to be Fette Sau.  Located in the heart of Williamsburg, Fette Sau has been rated the best BBQ joint in NYC since 2009.  

The entrance of Fette Sau is lined with old wooden picnic tables and the walls are creatively painted with many different cuts of meat.  The menu is loaded with great pork ribs, tender pulled pork and beef, potato salad and BBQ baked beans.  Just thinking about it makes my mouth water!!  My favorite part?  The Cheerwine to wash everything down!  Next time you are in the area, try it out.  I guarantee you will love it!

I was looking for a girl with long blonde hair, she was looking for brown hair with waves.  Our mutual friend Mekina was running late and was quickly texting descriptions of Ashley to me while simultaneously sending Ashley my features.  We spotted each other in Fette Sau at the same time, phones in hand, and laughed.   We had been set up…on a married couples date.

Mekina knew Matt and I would hit it off with Ashley and Griff.  For starters, we all grew up in the south.  Within the first few minutes we realized the amount of friends we had in common couldn’t be counted on one hand.  We all love BBQ, washed down with Cheerwine of course.   Ashley and Griff just celebrated their three year wedding anniversary and Matt and I are getting ready to celebrate our first.  If that wasn’t enough, Matt and Griff both played baseball in college, Matt at Gardner-Webb and Griff at Harvard.  Most importantly, Ashley and Griff are just good people, warm and caring, with a true heart for others.

In a big city like New York, it is truly a joy when you come across people like Ashley and Griff.  I snapped a few photos of these two as we made our way to the Subway.  I especially love how Ashley links on to Griff’s hand, ever so subtly letting him know she cares.

To top it all off, Ashley and Griff have an INCREDIBLE love story!  I hope I will have the pleasure of sharing it with you someday soon!