Like most other Tolkien-esque stories, this one starts in two peaceful, beautiful places, each with a person that, unknown to the rest of the world, is very important. Emily Barth was living in San Antonio, TX attending classes to become a Physician of the order of Therapist (physical therapy) within the army of the Kingdom of America. Philip Gaffney was a full Engineer of Mechanicals living in the Twin Cities of Minnesota doing very important work that nobody understood. Love was not finding them in their respective city states, but they were patient. And like any two smart people of lore (Gandalf, Bilbo, Elrond, Galadriel) these two people turned to the Internet. Sure, Gandalf had his focus group of assorted important people, but that was after a Facebook Party Invitation (let's be real). Even after joining Catholic Match, they needed to be patient. Flashback to the beginning of physician school. Emily being smart, yet naive, claims, "Till I end school, neither will I give my love to a man or my affection to a dog!" Fate chose differently. Swooning after a test of neuro mastery, Emily first took home the dog of strayness, and it was stray no more. Mere weeks later, a bearded, rugged, and handsome Philip sent her the message that would change everything. From there, they just courted and were betrothed, yes? No! Emily had a mission in El Paso that would not let Philip join his love. So he traveled. Every three weeks he got on his horse (a plane) and traveled to Texas. Despite innumerable challenges, he traveled. On rarer occasions, Emily wrangled her saber tooth lion chariot (still a plane) and traveled to see Philip. There was even a Mines of Moria-esque trip through the Carlsbad Caverns that nearly killed none of the travelers. This culminated in the fateful day of proposal. After much preparation on Philip's part, Philip proposed within the Cathedral of St. Paul before God and a couple men. And Emily was not surprised at all, but that's the way it goes.