It didn't. But it wasn't English, it wasn't Chemistry. It was Biology. Emi and Andrew, though both English majors, met by chance in a freshman-level Biology class at Illinois State University in the spring of 2016. In a multi-level auditorium, they happened to sit two seats away from each other. A couple of months into the semester, a guest speaker came to class to discuss Study Abroad options. Emi, having every intention of taking advantage of the program, began to write herself a note. She muttered aloud, "Oh yeah, I need to email them about New Zealand." Andrew overheard from two seats away, turned and looked at Emi, and asked, "Hobbits, huh?" Emi smiled and affirmed the question, because yes, 'The Lord of the Rings' HAD influenced her decision. The next day, she sat right next to him instead. Thus began another month of quips and running commentary on their lessons. A while later, Andrew asked Emi for her number. "In case I have questions about the upcoming test," was his reasoning. Emi wrote her number in his notes, then scurried back to her roommates to ask for their advice. “Did he really want my number JUST for the test?” she wondered. "Of course not," her roommates insisted, "he was flirting with you. He's going to ask you out." So Emi waited . . . and waited . . . and waited. Days later, Andrew finally texted her. Emi was excited to discover if it was an invitation to a date, or maybe a compliment to set the tone. "Do you have the answer for #20 on the study guide?" . . . seriously? He really did just want her number for the test . . . Emi took this in stride, sucked it up, and texted him the answer. It seemed they would stay friends after all. More talking, and eventually Andrew did work up the courage (his words) to ask her on a date. They had a lovely time eating dinner at the Italian restaurant near campus, and the rest is 10 years of history. Fun fact: Andrew took the very last slot available in the class. He almost picked an entirely different gen ed class! Perhaps it was fate, if you believe in that sort of thing. They've been having adventures and building their life together ever since.