The engagement session we're fearing today from Melissa at Stay Forever Photography really tugs at my heart strings. I went to Wellington High School, so the International Polo Club and Backstreet's (where I worked for a short time as a waitress after college) are familiar sights; more than that, though, I just adore how Robin and Lee expressed their love and included everything meaningful to them in their shoot... including Lee's son, Isaac.
From Melissa: Robin and Lee wanted to really capture the essence of their relationship and I absolutely love when couples pick locations that mean something to them. We started off at their favorite neighborhood bar, Backstreets which Robin so fondly called "their own Cheers". Then we headed over to the International Polo Club, where Robin and Lee have spent many Sundays tailgating and watching Polo. We wandered the grounds on a quiet Saturday night as the sun set behind the stadium bleachers. We ended the night with some Bocce Ball and lots of laughs with this adorable family.
As Robin tells us, the couple met on JDATE and knew very quickly that they were a match: It was the first date Lee went on after joining (my second). I was skeptical going in, and I haven't thought twice since! We met on a Sunday night of MLK weekend 2010, we left that date at 4am from the Players Club in Wellington, and had date #2 set-up by noon the next day (all Lee's doing, of course).
Robin shared the engagement story with us, and it was just as sweet and meaningful as their photo session: Lee's firm has a condo on Miami Beach and his boss likes to open it up to partners of the firm when it isn't being used for business. In September 2011 Lee mentioned we should pick a weekend to use the condo. I said we should go for his birthday or mine; we chose the weekend before my 29th birthday. We planned on driving down to Miami on Friday night and having our friends join us for Saturday afternoon/evening. I tried to cancel several times because work was so hectic and Lee came up with a different reason every time why I couldn't and even made me feel guilty about asking to cancel!
As it turns out I was able to leave work earlier that day than planned (about 2 hours), which, I didn't know then, almost ruined the entire surprise. Lee drive down to Miami after I left for work to set up flowers, candles and stock the fridge with wine and champagne. He barely made it back to West Palm Beach in time to meet me at our house to drive (back) down together. We arrived at the condo and I asked how he got the flowers, etc there, and he said, "I had them sent up." Later that evening, after a walk down the boardwalk, a sunset cocktail and a quick nap Lee told me that someone was going to come over in a little while and if I wanted to change I should do so. I asked if the President, my boss or his was coming over, and when he said no my cut off jeans and grey shirt were fine with me. So, as the Hungry Cuban Chef, Juan Montalvo, cooked us a 5 course meal which he served us on the balcony overlooking the ocean, I kept my cool and told myself "there is no way we are getting engaged, Lee is drinking and not sweating or nervous!"
And then, as the dessert course was served, Lee pulled out his iPad and started to retell the 'story of us' through pictures and funny quotes from our 1 1/2 history together. When Lee got to the last slide he handed me the iPad and said we have to get one last picture to commemorate this memory - as I fumbled with the iPad, trying to get the camera working I heard Lee say, "put that down and look up!" I don't remember what Lee said after that, but I ended up saying "Yes!" and with a beautiful family heirloom on my finger. Later we learned that the owner of the ring I would eventually wear, my paternal grandmother's birthday was on the day we got engaged: 11/11/11.
Isn't that just amazing?
Robin tells us that everything is going "smoothly" with the wedding planning, and I love the strategy they used: The best thing we did was ask our families not to talk to us about wedding plans until after the New Year. This gave us an opportunity to determine, together, what we really wanted and the express those feelings to our families calmly. After that everything came together, the venue, the band (we went with a rock band, The Flyers, we saw at a local bar) and of course, the photographer - LOVE Stay Forever Photography!
Congrats, Robin and Lee (and Isaac) - best wishes on the big day going just as smoothly!
LOCATION/VENDOR INFORMATION:
Location: International Polo Club Palm Beach | Photography: Stay Forever Photography | Submission: Two Bright Lights
A sweet family e-session all around Wellington today from @Stay4everphoto – love the engagement story! http://t.co/2SQYroEW
Robin & Lee’s adorable engagement featured on the lovely Floridian Weddings today :) http://t.co/EF6eifek
what an awesome couple!! cannot wait for this wedding! xo
Love it, my husband and I got married and the Polo Club almost four years ago!
Loved the pictures, loved the story..Love THEM!
[...] been anxiously waiting Robin and Lee's wedding since we first 'met' them in May of last year… especially since they brought on our Desiree to help them plan, design and [...]