Kate and Patrick first met on a sunny summer day in our nation’s capital. It was Kate’s second day of work at a local university. She stopped for coffee in the student center café when Patrick walked through the door wearing mesh shorts, earbuds and a backward baseball cap- most likely Yankees. A co-worker introduced them and Kate learned that Patrick also worked at the university, was training for a half marathon and shared her affinity for television science fiction dramas.

 

Kate thought Patrick was handsome and charming. Patrick thought Kate had a beautiful smile. After seeing her during several summer orientation sessions and campus projects, Patrick sent Kate a riddle that led her to their first date at the National Zoo. A few dates later- including a choose-your-own-adventure date, an epic eight-hour date,most of the Smithsonian museums and gelato on the Waterfront, Patrick knew he found the girl!

 

Patrick selected the engagement ring on his birthday. He wanted to remember the moment when he found the perfect one and he knew Kate wouldn’t suspect he was shopping for her that day. He ended up locking up the ring for a while in a safe deposit box in an undisclosed location.  Although he had been plotting elaborate proposal schemes, including a fake fall during a run downtown, Patrick decided to pop the question at one of the couple’s favorite places– Georgetown Waterfront Park. The couple held their engagement photo session at the same location.

 

“Kate and Patrick told me that their favorite D.C. locations were in the old part of town, including some contemporary locations along Georgetown Waterfront Park and some archetypal locations such as the old Aqueduct Bridge. It was one of those nice days out in the park after a few cold spells, so we really wanted to take advantage” says Michael Munoz, who photographed the couple. Kate and Patrick are set to tie the knot on June 21, 2014 in downtown D.C.