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!