From Brooklyn Beginnings to a Wyckoff Home
It wasn’t easy living through the pandemic-imposed restrictions in 2020, but knowing where the perfect spot to propose to Erika Cuacuas was easy for Eric Rojas. “We both love the DUMBO neighborhood in Brooklyn,” explains Eric.”It wasn’t as romantic as it could have been but under the Brooklyn Bridge is a romantic place.” Erika, the owner of Erika Cuacuas Photography, knew it was a great location for engagement and wedding photography. “I think Erika was not surprised since she was frequently there taking photographs for her clients,” laughs Eric. “This time it was her proposal.” The couple met at James Madison High School in the Midwood section of Brooklyn. “I was 14-years-old and Eric was 15-years-old,” recalls Erika. “We had gym class together and we would find every reason as to why we couldn’t play soccer and instead sit on the bench and talk.” Their friendship continued to develop and the following year Erika had asked Eric to be part of her quinceañera celebration. In Mexican culture, a quinceañera is a major coming-of-age tradition marking a girl's transition from childhood to womanhood. It typically features a religious mass, a grand reception with a court of honor, and choreographed dances. In the court of honor, the birthday girl is joined by damas (girls) and chambelanes (boys) who wear matching outfits and take part in special events. “I remember having to tell my dad that he is my boyfriend and not just a friend,” said Erika.
Both their families are from the Puebla state of Mexico. Eric’s parents came from San Miguel Ayala, Erika’s father is from Cholula, and her mother is from Tlaxcala. In high school, Erika took her first photography class and decided to enroll in classes at Kingsborough Community College. “My parents bought me my first camera. It was a Canon Rebel 3Ti and my brother bought me my first laptop” said Erika. Her interest in photography turned into a passion and she continued her education, graduating with a fine arts and photography degree from City College. Erika worked as a freelance photographer as well as for Cool For School. “I was taking school graduation pictures,” said Erika. “You have to have lots of patience getting children to smile, especially when you only have 5 minutes before the next student is photographed.” Erika discovered that being “silly” always produced a great photograph. She recalls the lengths she went to at a family portrait session. “I would sing cock-a-doodle-do if I had too,” laughs Erika.
While Erika pursued her passion for photography, Eric embraced his love of automobiles. He is currently a master mechanic at Maserati - Alfa Romeo of Englewood Cliffs. Eric owns an Alfa Romeo and has clocked some impressive speed. “The speedometer reads 120 mph but I am not telling you where I drove it that fast,” laughs Eric. After their wedding in 2021, the couple lived in a one bedroom apartment in Brooklyn. “When I was pregnant I knew we needed to find a house,” said Erika. “My parents had moved to Waldwick in 2020 so we started to look in the area. It took a year of searching before they purchased a house in the Coolidge neighborhood. “I love how welcoming and friendly everyone is here,” said Erika. “It’s peaceful here and it seems everyone knows one another.” “In the city, you don’t look anyone in the eye but here everyone greets you and says hello,” said Eric. They also feel Wyckoff is a great place to raise their two sons, 4-year-old Sage and 1-year-old Azul. . “When we decided to move to Wyckoff I told my sisters, who still live in Brooklyn, that I was taking our parents with me to New Jersey,” said Eric. The three generation household includes grandparents, Maria del Carmen and Sabas, who enjoy spending time daily with their grandsons.
Sunday Dinners and Family Traditions
On Sundays, it's the other grandparents turn to spend quality time with their grandsons.
Erika and family enjoy weekly Sunday dinners with her parents, her brother Charlie, her brother Giovanni, and his wife Isabel and their baby Julian Antonio. Traveling from Brooklyn, is sister Jessica and her husband Eric and their baby Zelda Ximena.
Erika's Athletic Journey and Community Roots
"One meal that we enjoy is tosadas de tinga and I am happy to share the recipe with Wyckoff resdients," said Erika. Erika appreciates the help with childcare as she trains to run in the Chicago Marathon on October 11. “I am exercising and running everyday in Goffle Brook Park, the Glen Rock Duck Pond, the YMCA, and on my treadmill at home,” said Erika. After the birth of Sage, Erika was looking for a way to get healthy and signed-up for a the NYCRUNS Prospect Park 5K Race, “I knew nothing about running or how far a 5k race even was but I wanted to give it a try,” said Erika. “I loved the rush of accomplishing the race and receiving the medal. I never played organized sports so I finally had my first sports medal.” She continued to run in 5K and 10K races and was training for the Brooklyn Experience Half. “I was pregnant and didn’t participate in that race but later ran the Big Apple Half Marathon in January in 17 degree weather in Central Park,” said Erika.
A member of the Wyckoff Family YMCA, Erika registered for the June 20 Wyckoff/Franklin Lakes Triathlon at the Indian Trails Club, but was lacking one of the requirements… the ability to swim the 0.5 mile lake swim. ‘The only time I swam was the doggy paddle in a pool I could easily touch the bottom,” explains Erika. “I wanted to prove to myself I could do hard things.” She took six swim lessons at the YMCA and practiced swimming each evening in the pool before successfully completing the swim, the 5k run, and the 13 mile bike ride through Franklin Lakes. Her grit and determination has inspired Eric to enroll in swim lessons. “Sage and Azul are enrolled in swim lessons, too,” said Eric. The family continues to enjoy exploring the area and making friends in the community. Erika is the photographer for Wyckoff Living Magazine, where she has met lifelong residents and well as new residents like herself. Eric enjoys working on cars and projects and looks forward to learning more about gardening
.jpg)