A Cute Engagement Session Amongst Cacti

While Howard and Patrick hit it off after their Match.com date, it was their pups who cemented their relationship. “We each had a dog. Once they met and got along, we sort of became a little family,” says Howard.

“Mine was an older and bigger Shepherd mix so I was really worried about them getting along,” continues Patrick. “It had the potential to be a real deal-breaker. Sensing my apprehension, Howard took it upon himself to hire a dog whisperer to help facilitate their introduction . It really was the sweetest thing.”

After a year and a half as a family of four, Howard proposed during a trip in Siena, Italy. “All day, I was convinced he had realized I was going to ask him. He kept smiling at me in this ‘yes, what is it?' way and I just thought I must’ve appeared nervous and he’d figured out why. We spent that day — it was Easter Sunday — sightseeing around Siena. It was a beautiful day and the city was full of pilgrims and tourists. It was kind of perfect.”

The Old World vibe of Siena inspired them to select Balboa Park in San Diego as their location for their shoot with Let's Frolic Together. They held hands while walking through the flora-flanked paths, and the park's museums and theater made for breathtaking backdrops.