swanee swifty: photos 017: toya & royan's wedding

i call this photo
"I'S MARRIED NAH!"

this is the first wedding that
i have ever attended.

or photographed.
granted, these are just digital.
the treasures are
- as always -
on film & in development.
soon come.

anywho... okay, i attended my aunt
Netra's wedding when i was nine
but that doesn't really count.

there's a alot that i
didn't know that happens
surrounding the nuptials of
a close friend.
partially because of that
and mostly because of my own
mess...
i made some mistakes, man.
some big. some small.

all avoidable had i put a little
more time & effort into
staying on top of things,
listened when advice and needs
were given,
reciprocated what's always
given to me,
and given reverence where
and when it was due.
but i'm hard headed.
and stubborn.
(damn taurus)
and sometimes don't realize
what i have in front of me.

fortunately, those left most
slighted by my shortcomings
are two of the few people
in my life that
i completely love & adore
who understand me
& who love me
for exactly who i am.
frankly, they love me most
when i AM being exactly who i am.

i love you, Toya.
i'm so glad i was there.
i love you, baby.
i so wish you could have shared
this with me.

the lovely bride, Toya.

the story behind this
photo is so cute.
right before i clicked
the priest was going
on and on and on
all the pomp & circumstance
that most weddings include
right before "you may kiss the bride."
and suddenly Royan blurts out
"I want to kiss her NOW!"
so he did - it was awesome.

this is Angel & Virginia,
my Jamaica roomies.
i've known Virginia
(holla at our off-the-shoulder
Shana originals
- mine was seersucker. PIMP!)
for what seems like forever.
over 9 years now.
i always used to regard her as my
little sister. but now, we're
peers and friends.
which given our history
is beautiful, strange and
serendipitous.
she's a great woman who i am so
lucky to have as my friend.