Where, do I even begin?! This is the first (of many) posts about our trip to Hawaii and to start things off, its all about Emily and Chris … a surprise proposal in paradise!

Chris and Emily have been dating since 2002, of course like any relationship, taking some breaks in-between, but they always found their way back to each other.  Emily is my boyfriend’s younger sister and it has been amazing getting to know her, their family, and her boyfriend Chris.  I feel so blessed to have been part of this monumental trip and get to spend so much time with them.  I was SO ecstatic when Chris told us he would be proposing during the trip and was all for my idea of capturing it on camera while staying out of sight.

The morning of Feb 9th Chris, Robby, and I went on a “run” to scope out the location on the beach near our North Shore rental house and our potential hiding spots. If you read the previous post about why we were in Hawaii in the first place, this day was very special.  It was Bob’s Birthday, the day the memorial was set to take place that evening, but due to inclement weather it was postponed, perhaps he wasn’t ready to be laid to rest in the ocean just yet.  Once we heard that it would take place later in the week, Chris decided he would propose that night, solidifying just how meaningful this day would always be, now for two reasons.   The evening came quickly, everyone in the house was getting ready for dinner, as were going to be heading to the opposite end of the island to Waikiki to Bob’s all time favorite spot, Duke’s.

Chris, Robby, and I road our beach cruisers to Ehukai Beach just before sunset, Chris set up the blanket, bottle of champagne, two glasses and rushed back to the house.  He was insistent upon taking Emily for a walk along the beach to watch the sunset and thankfully, she obliged.  Once we saw them coming, it was a mad dash to get to our spots, which for me was hiding behind a life guard tower until the coast was clear, Robby hid in some bushes.  Chris knew that once the sun started to melt into the ocean, he didn’t have much time, we saw him get on one knee from afar and continued snapping away.  I felt my inner ninja as I tried to move closer while army crawling in the sand and then I see Robby step out of the bushes and walk nearly right up to them!! I am thankful now because he got the close shots, but I was WAY too nervous about being seen and ruining the private moment, I guess big brothers can do whatever they want! Emily confirmed later that she never saw us, phew!!

Chris designed the ring himself, making it truly one of a kind, even engraving the inside of the band, ‘Emily & Chris.’  He chose aquamarine as the precious stone, knowing thats what Emily would have chosen over a diamond because the blue coloring resembles the ocean, which her Dad loved so much.  No doubt Bob was there at that moment and I’m positive that he is very proud of his youngest daughter and soon to be son in law, Christopher.

© Melissa Desjardins Photography 2015 | Wedding and Portrait Photographer | Central VA and Destinations Worldwide