Posted by: ROB & KATHLEEN View More: ENGAGEMENTS Lee and Patrick knew they wanted to get married. They had even talked about getting engaged but ultimately decided it would be best to wait until Patrick finished Air Force boot camp down in Texas. Or at least that's what Lee thought they had decided. Patrick had something else in mind. He wanted to surprise Lee, and if you know Patrick, you know he doesn't do anything halfway. He wanted to ask Lee to marry him when she didn't see it coming in a memorable proposal totally worthy of the woman he loved. So in the midst of all the training and excessive exercise in the first few weeks of boot camp, Patrick somehow found the time to develop a plan. With the help of a friend back home he picked out the perfect ring for Lee and even had it shipped down to him. He knew exactly when he was going to ask her too - the minute he got home for his first break during training. Not quite when it was complete when Lee thought it would be, but, really, what would have been the fun in that? Lee would be picking him up from the airport with his friends (including his helpful accomplice) and family, and never see it coming. So when that break came around, Patrick boarded the plane with a ring in his pocket, two dozen roses in his arms and a plan to put into action. He promptly informed the flight attendant of his intentions and she was more than happy to help. Good thing too, because Patrick was going to enlist some of his fellow travelers to help him out with his proposal. He passed out a single rose to twenty-four people on board and asked them to each give them to Lee as they entered the baggage claim area, where she would be waiting for him. To ensure that all of the passengers would know exactly who to give the rose to, Patrick had his friend send him a picture on his phone of Lee earlier that day so they would know what she was wearing. Always prepared, Patrick even had his friend stand right next to Lee at the airport, wearing the brightest color shirt he owned so he could act as a landmark to ensure they would not be missed by any one bearing a rose for Lee. When the first person off the plane came down to baggage claim and handed Lee a rose, she was a bit confused but thought it was just the kind gesture of a stranger. By rose number 5 she was suspicious. After the first dozen, she knew exactly what Patrick was up to. By the time all twenty-four roses were stacked up in her hands, she couldn't help but laugh. And when she saw Patrick walking toward her she was feeling too many emotions to describe. He was smiling back at her - so proud of himself that it all worked out, but even more excited to be asking her to be his wife. He got down on one knee right there in the middle of the baggage claim and said the words that had been rolling around in his head the entire flight. Of course Lee said yes, much to the joy of not only Patrick but all of the fellow travelers around them, cheering them on all the while. * * * We were finally able to meet Lee & Patrick for their engagement session last month after many attempts to do so earlier - somehow on every day we had picked it had rained. Sometimes huge downpours. Now we're all up for doing a session in the rain, finding a cool indoor location and even shooting outside in the rain if possible, but Lee and Patrick wanted a session on the beach and in all reality - rain and the beach really don't mix. And that's a bonus of an engagement session, you have more control of what the weather conditions will be because if schedules allow, you can select another (non-downpouring) day for the session - not exactly something you can do on your wedding day. We met at Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven, a beach location that offers quite a bit of variety - the lighthouse, rocky shoreline and, this time of year, lots of greenery and even some flowers. It was a laid back afternoon and we really enjoyed getting to know Patrick and Lee even better. They told us all about their wedding plans and their awesome proposal story which still makes Lee laugh. Not so unusual for her though, Patrick seems to make her laugh quite a bit especially during their session.

When we drove in we spotted this green field area on one side of the parking lot. We thought it would be the perfect place to start the session.

If you've been reading our blog for a long time, you know that we definitely have a thing for long grass. Patrick and Lee were more than happy to sit down and be surrounded by it.

Lee has awesome dimples - they come out pretty much every time Patrick gives her a kiss.

Just a few steps from that first field was this one with some wildflowers in bloom. Gotta love shooting in the spring!

We took a walk all the way to the other side of the park where our favorite beach area is - tons of dramatic rocks and even some more green grass.

Patrick and Lee were really having a good time together, talking and laughing almost the whole session.

It was definitely an odd weather day - super windy with dark storm clouds part of the time and then bright sunshine. All that changes in light was keeping us on our toes, but we love a challenge!

It was pretty obvious by even the beginning of the session that Patrick loves to make Lee laugh. Not just a little chuckle either, he loves to make her burst out laughing.

This is one of Rob's favorite shots from the day - the wind blowing her hair, the clouds behind them - just really beautiful.

This shot kinda feels like a movie poster to me. Not sure why.

After a quick outfit change, we decided we had to incorporate the new color of the sky. In just minutes it had gone from dark and cloudy to bright and sunny. In this shot, they're actually just standing in the parking lot, believe or not.

It's like sweetness overload when they're this close to one another! You can't help but smile.

At this point, I'm pretty sure Patrick said something that Lee thought was fresh. But she loved it!

Whenever we have a couple go over to sit on a bench, it's moments like these that we love to capture. Usually they hold hands until the very last minute and then break away like this. It seems really emotional on it's own somehow.

Rob was hiding in some beach grass at this point - paparazzi style.

This is my favorite shot of the day. I love the way Lee is holding onto Patrick's arms and he's all tangled around her. We were using the intense wind to our advantage (people pay big money for wind machines, you know?), and the windswept hair seems romantic to me.

One of our favorite things about Connecticut beaches is all the rocks, especially when the water comes up and breaks onto them.

Since it was starting to get increasingly super bright out, we snuck into the carousel house to get some shade. Once inside, we realized just how hot it had been outside, not something we noticed before then since it had been so windy.

All the windows in the carousel building create a very cool backdrop.

Seriously, how cute are these two?

There's those dimples again! See, every time Patrick is close they come out!

Special request for a piggy back ride, we were more than happy to oblige!

Lee & Patrick, thanks for a fabulous day at the beach! We had a great time and can't wait to see you both again in September.