#bentonpark

Urban Dad Hikes: Breweries and Caves of Benton Park

Tall brick breweries surround Benton Park and caves go underground in the neighborhood and are all a part of its mystique. I did a mile walk in the park and the surrounding neighborhood eyeing breweries in the distance and searching for a sign of a cave. Benton Park Lake in snow My Time in Benton Park I parked near the intersection of McNair Avenue and Arsenal Street across the street from…

When you're a part of the networking world, sometimes your clients are some of your dearest friends. And sometimes you get to be involved in really big moments.

I have been "staying tuned" for Hayley and Sam's engagement for a while. We all knew it would happen at some point. No need to rush Sam. He sure loves his girl. 

And then it happened. She showed me the gorgeous ring. I squealed for her. We hugged big. And then we got to start planning for the big day. 

 We took gorgeous engagement pictures. You can see them here.

More wedding plans.  Then COVID-19 happened.

May 30, 2020 would happen regardless.

In true South City fashion, the couple arrived together in their golf cart, with a cooler on the back; champagne in tow.  

And I was already misty eyed.  Hayley was even more stunning than I knew she’d be.  With flowers picked themselves....and dress that was found at the last minute, the bride was a vision.

Surrounded by their incredibly fun parents and brothers, we started with some portraits.

I kept as socially distant as possible, and was still so overwhelmed with being a part of this day.  It is just different when they are one of your best friends.  Hayley has become like my little sister, and here she was about to marry the love of her life.  In the very spot he proposed.  

It is hilarious to me just how perfectly made for each other these two are.  Neither are sappy.  

But, look at how he looks at her....

And just how they melt into one another...in the most simple of ways.

Down an aisle of the well hydrated ungroomed grass of Benton Park, a groom looked on like he was seeing her for the first time.

The vows were simple.  They loved each other.  And this pandemic that delayed their huge party, and gave us this day, had done something else.  Shown they really did like each other, too.  At least that’s what Hayley said, with misty eyes staring at Sam.  

All this while a Momo looked on.

Hayley and Sam.....

There are no words to how much I adore you both.  And how much I LOVE how you love each other.  Thank you for including me in this precious moment of your priceless love story.

Let’s do it again in August!!!