We picked the perfect fall day for this historic Fort Monroe engagement session!
And since Chelsea lives and works at Fort Monroe, we got an insiders tour.
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We are so excited to celebrate with them at their wedding at the Chrysler Museum in 2021.
But until then, get to know more about these two lovebirds on today’s blog.
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Fort Monroe Engagement Session
How you two meet?
We met online. I’m not normally the one to start the conversation, but he put in his profile that he liked to play board games.
I thought that was something unique and different, so I asked him what his favorite one was.
I don’t remember exactly what game he said, but I do remember having to Google it and thinking that it was way too complicated for me, since my favorite game was Candyland.
Thankfully he was a fan of Candyland too!
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What did you do on your first date?
Our first date was at Cafe Stella in Ghent.
Even though it was November, the weather was surprisingly warm and we were able to sit outside and enjoy our coffees.
Chris and I just got to talking and everything felt so natural, like we’d known each other for years.
The next thing we knew, the sun had gone down. Turns out we had spent hours just talking and getting to know each other!
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What are some of your favorite things to do together?
We love to travel. We love exploring new places and seeing the sights. Thankfully, Chris doesn’t mind that I insist on dragging him to one museum after another (maybe dragging is too strong a word, he seems pretty willing to visit them too). We recently travelled to Norway and Iceland. It was gorgeous!
Chris and I are also huge bookworms. Whenever we travel out of town, we make it a point to visit an indie bookstore. More times than not, we leave with a new book or two as souvenirs from our trip.
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When did you know he was the one?
I don’t think it hit me all at once. It was more a combination of things over time. But the first time I realized that there was something really special about him was only a month or so after we’d been dating. We had plans to attend an evening arts event but I’d had an accident and was on crutches. When I told him that I didn’t think I would be able to make it, he immediately suggested we stay in, order dinner and watch Christmas movies instead! It was perfect. But the icing on the cake was when he got very serious and asked how I was going to get groceries while being on crutches. He volunteered to go to the store and pick up anything I needed for the week! Ladies, if he volunteers to get your groceries, he’s a keeper!
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Tell Us Your Proposal Story?
Chris says, marriage is a big life event and before I went to pop the question I wanted to discuss it with the people who mean the most to me. Naturally, I brought it up with Chelsea before anyone else. This meant that I was able to gauge her interest in the idea and got some hints for the engagement ring. Then I spoke with my parents and best friend before asking for her parents blessing.
My plan was all set, but dating long distance seriously limits the opportunity to propose. After thinking about it, I decided an upcoming long weekend trip to D.C. would be perfect. I purchased the ring and it was supposed to be ready to pick up before I left.
Then the unthinkable happened and the delivery date changed… I would already be in D.C. with Chelsea when the ring would be ready in Maine!
After several frantic phone calls and emails, we managed to arrange to have the ring delivered to Georgetown just hours before I was supposed to leave. Giving a thinly veiled excuse, I asked Chelsea if we could walk around Georgetown that last morning before heading to the airport. I am sure she saw right through me. Slipping away for my “appointment”, I asked her if she would meet me in half an hour. Returning with a very obvious white paper bag, we walked along the waterfront before finding a private spot to get down on one knee! Thankfully, she said yes. I was so relieved she said yes, and that it all came together! We were so caught up in the moment that we forgot to take any photos for our parents, so Chelsea pulled off to the side of the road so we could snap a few pics on our way to the airport.
And who would have thought that playing board games would have brought us to this Fort Monroe engagement session?!
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If you had to pick a word for your relationship, what would it be?
It’s so hard to pick just one, but I think “supportive” is one that comes to mind almost immediately. We each have our own goals and dreams that we work towards, but it is so important that we support each other as we work towards those goals. Chris is a serious athlete, I am not. So when I said I wanted to run the New Year’s Day run at Norfolk Botanical Gardens, I was worried I would have a hard time keeping up with him, but he stayed by my side the entire time, giving me the encouragement I needed to cross that finish line. I know there will be a lot more “finish lines” in life, and I can’t wait for Chris and I to cross them together, as a team.
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What are three dreams/goals for your marriage?
Although our jobs can sometimes be pretty stressful, I like to think we’re pretty good at not taking ourselves too seriously. We know how to be goofy. One of our goals is to keep that goofiness alive. To laugh everyday, especially at ourselves, is something that is really important to us.
We like to try new things, whether that’s a mixology class or learning falconry (both things we’ve done!). Making a point of trying new things together has always been an important aspect of our relationship. I’d love for us to continue to dedicate time to exploring new things, to take new adventures, and maybe learn more about each other in the process.
It’s easy to get caught up in the everyday. It’s important for us to find ways to show each other we choose them. Making sure to take some time everyday to make each other feel loved and appreciated is one of our biggest goals.
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Tell us what you’re looking forward to most on the wedding day.
Work has taken us both far from friends and family. But we’re looking forward to having everyone in the same place to help celebrate our marriage. Seeing everyone come together to is one of the things we are both looking forward to. It means a lot to us that they are willing to travel so far to be with us on that special day.
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Love What You See? Want to Have Your Own Session?!
If you loved seeing this Fort Monroe engagement session – awesome!!!
We would LOVE to create a custom portrait session for you and the ones you love!
Feel free to message us by hitting the { CONTACT ME } button or by giving us a call at 757-749-5350.
Can’t wait to create some magic for y’all!
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