Love for Those We Don't Know

So yesterday I was donating blood. Just an average Sunday, you know? Just kidding.

Anyway, I try to donate whenever I get reminded of how such a small act can save a life. So, I was pretty inspired by the amount of people who felt the same as I did. I spent about a total of 1.5 hours waiting/donating/recovering, and I arrived before the crowd did, so I'm sure these people waited longer.

There is something awesomely admirable and awakening to be in an environment where you know everyone is there to do good.

I love this picture because it shows regular people like you and I, dedicating some time on a Sunday, when they could be watching football, eating Sunday pasta, or taking a walk in the beautiful New York Autumn weather. However, they instead chose to donate blood. Yes, I know I'm writing a lot of run-on sentences, but heck, when I get inspired, I can hardly breathe in between speaking and thinking, so why wouldn't my typing be the same?

I feel blessed to have experienced such love, not just from one person, but from many. And not only that, it was love for the unknown; for a person you will never know you helped.

It also happened to be World Peace Day this past weekend. Just a thought, just a thought.

Can't Let You Go

So this is an interesting one. I was on the elliptical at my gym and we have these great views out to the street. Anyway, as I'm working out and watching E!, my eyes were diverted to this couple saying goodbye.

I'm posting a string of photos here because they were so cute I needed more than one. This man was clearly not willing to say goodbye so easily. He kept grabbing the woman to have another hug and kiss. Just when I thought 3 hugs was enough, he pulled her back for another.

They looked to be in their mid-twenties, but something about this string of hugs/kisses reminded me of high school love. Kind of like the infamous "you hang up..", "no, you hang up..", "no, you..". So glad to see that kind of passion lasts past teenage years!

Hug me Tender

Sometimes it isn't easy to take a picture while being stealthy and not creepy. It's not like I want people to think that I am some weird person taking pictures of their loving moment...hehe.

Anyway, that being said, this picture isn't the most amazing shot, but I still find it to be very loving and endearing.

This man was embracing a woman for quite some time. They were speaking as they held each other and it was sweet to watch their embrace. Sometimes, if not often, hugging is the most intimate form of love because you really need to be able to feel comfortable with someone to spend those moments so close and holding each other.

Kiss me softly, hug me tender. That's what I say.

Shopping Trip

I couldn't whip my camera out in time to get this lovely couple from the front, but I think everyone around them agreed that they were adorable.

Just out of Macy's, this couple strolled around the Herald Square pedestrian promenade holding hands tightly.

 

I'm pretty sure my favorite pictures so far are those of seasoned love. It gives us all hope that a life-long love does exist, even in tough cities like The Big Apple.

Poetic City

My good friend Kate took this picture and sent it to me as an example of Love in NY, so I asked her to write a guest post to accompany her picture. Here is what she had to say...

Every day, millions of New Yorkers traverse the streets of this enchanting city. An omnipresent mistress, she brings so much joy to those who experience her, but at times, may seem unbearably cruel. Those that dwell within her are willing to endure the frigid winters, sweltering summers, and throngs of often-infuriating tourists all because they love their City with such passion that to leave would be to leave behind a piece of themselves.

Walking through Washington Square Park, I came upon this poem, written in chalk on the ground. It perfectly articulated the feelings I've harbored for the City ever since grade school, and captured the sentiment that countless others have undoubtedly felt before me. It made me realize that, like a lover of any other sort, the City evokes that rush of adrenaline and passion analogous with your first true love. Once you are touched by its allure, nothing and nowhere else will ever compare.

-Kate

Love on the High Line

For anyone who knows what it is, I think they'd all agree, High Line Park is not only beautiful in views but also an architectural masterpiece. It's a park that was designed into an old above ground train track on the West Side of Manhattan. It spans about 20ish blocks and is just awesome if you ask me.

Anyway, enough with the free PR for NYC parks. I was walking on the Highline and there were tons of photo opportunities of couples holding hands and things of that nature, but when I came across this shot I was particularly happy.

On this random grassy knoll on top of the train tracks, this couple lay just holding each other starring up at the sky and the beautiful day. There is nothing like a cool evening, laying in the grass and just being..with your loved one. I'm glad this couple reminded me of how amazing it could be.

I'm also glad to be writing about this right now because it keeps me focused on what is important, rather than thinking about my more than stressful commute to work today.

Out on the Town

It's not the best picture, but sometimes it is hard to capture a moment when moments are exactly that; a second in time. This couple was out and about in the Meatpacking District this past Saturday evening.

I'm not sure what I love more about this. Perhaps it was that they were enjoying an evening in a well known "young people's" area, or maybe it was just that they were dressed up. More than likely it actually was both, and then obviously the fact that they were holding hands during their whole walk through the strangely high impact neighborhood. Something tells me they were looking for Lincoln Center and got a little lost, but isn't that the charm of this couple? Party on lovebirds, party on.