I first reached out to Patrick on Instagram in 2018 after seeing a photo of him & Chris kissing during the Boston Marathon. After speaking quickly, I learned they were from out of state but might have the opportunity to photograph them in the future. Less than a year later, Patrick reached out to tell me about Chris’ plans to run the 2019 Boston Marathon. However, he went on to explain that he was planning a surprise proposal for after the race and wanted photos of the day leading up to that moment.
Fast forward to April 14th, the night before the race when I received a message on Instagram from Bruce; a friend of the couple. He explained that Chris also was planning to propose after the race, much to my surprise. While there were a lot of logistics to figure out, we made sure to document the day in its entirety.
We arrived late morning to a friend of Patrick’s house, only a block from where we would be trying to catch Chris mid-run. A letter titled “Mile 14” was handed to Patrick. Chris had written letters for Patrick to open at every mile marker: beginning at the start line in Hopkinton and ending at the finish line on Boylston Street in Boston. These letters talked about their past, family, friends, work and their future aspirations together; each one becoming progressively more emotional.
As we made our way to the corner of Commonwealth Ave and Hereford St to catch a glimpse of Chris, Patrick’s excitement (and nervousness) grew exponentially. “Mile 22” was given to Patrick. Friends of the couple each clutched their phone, watching Chris approach on the race route. Patrick eagerly held a sign that read “I (heart) you Chris!” The letters continued and it was apparent Patrick might have been catching on to what was really happening. “Mile 25” and we left our viewing post and Chris shortly thereafter crossed the finish line, completing his 3rd Boston Marathon.
Patrick and the group made their way back to where we had come from prior as we departed for Boston Public Garden, where Patrick and Chris were to meet for their moment. This was it. We sprinted through the Gardens, filled with thousands of runners and their families. Friends of Patrick and Chris were almost strategically placed every few hundred feet pointing us in the right direction. Luckily, we spotted the two just before making their way up to the bridge next to the Swan boats and managed to trot behind them ever so quietly as to not give ourselves away. Finally, at the edge of the pond, the pair began to have their moment, embracing each other before Chris got down on one knee and posed the question to Patrick. Before he could even finish, Patrick exclaimed “of course I’ll marry you” before then getting down on one knee himself. They exchanged custom cuffs in place of traditional rings, ironically made at the same metalsmith in Pennsylvania.
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Aaron Mello | New England Photography & Film