in a magical land of steel castles and yellow carriages, known as New York, a raven-haired girl was born. Her parents named her Erin and showered her with love and affection. As a child, Erin adored playing with her older siblings and cousins and dabbled in all sorts of activities. However, as Erin grew older, she discovered that what she enjoyed more than anything in the world was getting lost in a good book or creating a grand meal for her family to enjoy. Erin and her family spent much time in the city. Erin revered the bright lights of Broadway, and she, her mother, and sister loved to window-shop at the classic New York emporiums. But, like clockwork, every summer, Erin and her family headed to the shore, where they spent a fun-filled week with their toes in the water.

Meanwhile, in a far away snow kingdom, known as Minnesota, a handsome prince yearned for adventure. Evan was a restless boy, and the long, cold Minnesota winters stifled his ability to play. Evan hated being cooped up inside, and so, he learned to fly down the snow on skis, to drill holes in the ice in order to fish, and to make houses and men out of the snow. On the harshest of harsh days, when it was too cold for even brave Evan to withstand the winter's winds, Evan worked in his wood shop, where he hand-crafted boats and dreamed of warmer days when he could set them afloat. When summer finally came around, the lakes of his town, once frozen and cold, became a joyous retreat. Evan and his father would head into the woods, where they camped and fished for days on end and basked in the glory of the summer sun.

There came a time, however, when both Evan and Erin had to leave their families' homes, where they had been so loved for so many years, to pursue an education. Evan and Erin were admitted to the best and most beautiful school in all of the lands, the University of Notre Dame.

Our Lady's Golden Dome welcomed Evan and Erin in August of two thousand and seven. Evan was placed in St. Edward's Hall, where only the most gentlemanly of all men resided, while Erin was placed with the lovely ladies of the hallowed Hall of Howard.

Evan and Erin had many friends in common, attended many of the same balls, and spent every Saturday in the same stadium cheering the knights of Notre Dame to football victory. Yet, for nearly two years, their paths never crossed. But, by the grace of Notre Dame, during one January snow, Evan and Erin finally met. Although, it took Prince Evan a few months to muster up the courage to properly court Erin, the two eventually fell in love.

Alas, upon graduation, Evan and Erin were forced by the power of an evil Blue Devil to move to separate lands. But, their love was so strong that neither distance nor inflated airline prices could overcome it.

After three long years of distance, Evan asked Erin to be his bride. They plan to live happily ever after.

Evan proposed to Erin under the Golden Dome at the University of Notre Dame on August 29, 2014. Erin had recently returned from a three-week post-bar exam trip to Europe with friends from law school. While she was away, Evan worked tirelessly to plan the perfect engagement. Evan secretly traveled to Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, for a surprise visit with Erin's parents, Brian and Carol, to ask for their blessing on the marriage.

Erin returned to the United States on Thursday. On Friday, a jet-lagged Erin and a nervous Evan began the nine-hour drive to South Bend, Indiana, for the Notre Dame versus Rice football game. Evan stashed the engagement ring in his driver-side door and strategically covered the box with pieces of paper. Around Chicago, thunderstorms moved in and the skies began to open up with torrential rain. While Erin was fast asleep dreaming about a return to glory for Notre Dame football, Evan seamlessly transferred the ring into his pocket, hoping that the rain would soon abate.

Evan and Erin finally made it to South Bend around ten o'clock at night. As they pulled off the exit, Evan suggested: "I want some Taco Bell. There's that new Taco Bell in La Fortune student center. Let's give that a shot." Erin, ever the realist and wanting to make it to the rental house, knew that there was a Taco Bell located just off the exit from the freeway. . . with a drive through window. It was dark, raining, and thundering, but Evan desperately wanted that Taco Bell on campus (or so Erin thought). So, Evan parked at the Hammes Bookstore on the southern end of campus, and cajoled Erin into making the trek to "the Taco Bell." Umbrella in hand, Evan led Erin across campus in the pouring rain. Lightning flashed and thunder clapped every few seconds above.

Campus was deserted. Evan and Erin were the only crazy ones out in the storm. Evan had the ring secured in his pocket and was just waiting for the perfect chance to pop the question. As they crossed the heart of Notre Dame's campus, at a spot equidistant from the dorms that Evan and Erin called home and with a perfect view of the famed Golden Dome, Evan got down on one knee, threw the umbrella aside, and asked, "Erin Marie Semler, will you marry me?"

"I absolutely will!" replied Erin. In the excitement of the moment, Evan was waiting to hear Erin say "yes." A couple of minutes later, Evan realized that Erin's response was a little unexpected. "E, did you even say yes?"

Evan and Erin spent the next hour roaming around campus, visiting their favorite spots, and lighting a candle together, hand in hand, at the grotto. After calling family, Evan finally did get his Taco Bell.

A number of friends (and future bridal party members) were waiting with champagne and cake. To top the weekend off, Notre Dame won the game!