It started with a vet school party, a cute border collie puppy, and a tree. That first meeting was followed by a lot of 'not dating', where the pair hiked, studied together, and went out for coffee. Just the two of them. But it definitely was NOT dating. Months later, after admitting that this was a relationship (and Syd accepting Thadd into the house), they jumped right into doing all those couple-y things they couldn't before. You know... like hiking, studying together, and getting coffee. Over the next two years, around the hectic schedules of vet school and externships, they made time to see each other. Bonding over lectures and waterfalls and Christmas cookies, their relationship grew stronger. Leading up to the two year anniversary of the party where they met, Thadd made intricate plans to propose. Starting with asking Gina's namesake - Grandma Gina - for permission to marry her granddaughter, then finding a ring as beautiful and unique as Gina herself, and finally arranging several fool-proof proposals... Each one was thwarted as Gina got called in for emergencies at the hospital. It was the 4th time that was the charm. That Saturday morning they were midway through their favorite trail run with the pups, and just as Thadd was going to pull the ring from his pocket Gina's phone went off again and she ran back into work. Undeterred, as soon as she had a break he rushed to pick her up because he had 'a surprise' for her; but the dogs had to be there, and it had to be near the tree in her back yard. Gina saw through this ruse, certain that Thadd must have bought a new dog toy! Gina, completely missing the romantic gesture and still unwinding after that morning's call, humored him. They went out to the tree, with Darwin and Sydney at their heels. It wasn't until Thadd pulled out a small black box, not a frisbee, and got down on one knee, that Gina understood. After a few moments of stunned silence, Gina happily said "Yes!".