Friday morning in New York City was not for the faint of heart: wind chills at -21 on a day that's ripe with superstition.
Outside the City Clerk's office...
...the world was frigid and dead.
But inside the building, at 8:30 AM, there was enough love to warm even the coldest heart.
Dozens of couples lined up at the NYC Marriage Bureau first thing in the morning.
They stood in line, they waited their turn...
....to get a piece of paper that would change their lives forever.
Some couples were dressed in their finest.
Some were casual and bundled up.
Some bought bright bouquets from the gift shop...
...and some bought sentimental souvenirs.
Some were poised and formal...
...and some were cozy and cute.
There were couples of every age, race, gender and creed.
But they all went up to the counter as two...
...and left as one.
The threat of cold and the fear of bad luck...
...was no match for their commitment to each other.
For one brief moment, all was simple and still.
And the weather, though brutal, was no match for the pure joy of being together.
After all, who needs luck when you have love?
