Happy news from Breezy Point - Hurricane Sandy first responders wed

Image source: NYDN

Here’s a happy story from the Rockaways, a part of the borough that has seen so much heartbreak since Hurricane Sandy – two first responders got married last Saturday, according to the NY Daily News. The bride, Tracy Rutter, is an EMT, and the groom, Rich Whalen, is a firefighter. They married at St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church.

They lost their home in the storm, but decided to carry on with their big day. They wanted something to celebrate, and the marriage symbolized a renewal and rebuilding. This is the first wedding at the church since Hurricane Sandy hit. And Breezy Point is the site of a fire that burned down over 100 homes, so renewal – physical or representational – is a welcome thing.

And if it couldn’t get any better, Rutter was escorted to the chapel in the fire truck that was the first to start putting out the conflagration that night of the storm.

Breezy Point first responders tie the knot in first wedding at Rockaway church since Hurricane Sandy [NYDN]