The Story: It was another quiet day in the city of Dalaran. Taswind (Tas; Kelly) was practicing her Druid's leatherworking skills by the fountain, and Aidenorestes (Phil) was just back from the latest quest. They came across each other. Aiden, who's team was in need of a druid with some skill, saw opportunity and sprung to action. This misfit toy was the perfect recruit, and an undaunted team was the perfect destination. Together they wrecked havoc across an unsuspecting land with a cadre of friends, many of whom assembled regularly in Azeroth and occasionally in Massachusetts for a weekend of good friends, good food, and good fun and games. The Explanation: We were both avid World of Warcraft players on the same game server. We both played on the Alliance side but had never previously crossed paths. The game featured guilds - associations of players teamed together to experience game content. Kelly, brought to the server by a college friend, was a member of the guild Misfit Toys (don't ask) and later a member of Lucid (evil, and also don't ask). Phil was the leader of the guild Dauntless (where this story takes place). They teamed up for content occasionally, until Kelly joined Dauntless and became an integral part of the team. From there, mutual friends in the game brought them together for the first time in person to see a Cirque du Soleil show in NYC. A friendship blossomed, rooted in mutual interests in World of Warcraft, music, politics, and a mutual disdain of stupid. Eventually, St. Augustine's Choir brought the two of them together occasionally. Some time later, a job opportunity for Kelly in North Andover meant regular encounters and ultimately resulted in their engagement.

The first trip they had together was to Japan. A passion of Phil's for many years, and a longtime interest of Kelly's as well. They toured Tokyo for almost two weeks... and got stranded there an extra day due to Super Typhoon Faxai (the equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane). One of the places they both enjoyed exploring was Meiji Jingu Shrine in the heart of Tokyo, near Harajuku. It was a foretelling preference, as it is a Japanese custom for newly married couples to walk from the Torii entrance to the main shrine in order to have their marriage blessed by the Shinto priests there. Phil wanted to do the proposal in Japan at Meiji Jingu, but COVID-19 made travel to Japan impossible. It also made most other traditional and acceptable options impossible... So, creativity was necessary. The proposal took place at home, but it might as well have been Japan. Phil set up the living room for dinner on the floor at the coffee table, creating a Japanese-style setting. Phil and Kelly had their favorite Japanese dish (Shabu Shabu) set up on the table, and home-made crème brûlée waiting in the fridge for dessert. They dined in the living room. The TV was streaming a walkthrough tour of Meiji Jingu shrine and a smart lighting system bathed the entire room in the greens of the forest. It was a highly immersive experience, mimicking the walk they would have taken through the shrine had they been in Tokyo that day. After dinner and dessert, Phil brought out a silver tray with a traditional Japanese fan covering two brandy snifters. In one glass, Grand Marnier Cuvee du Centenaire. In the other, an engagement ring. The ring was made from the setting of Phil's Great Grandmother's engagement ring and the diamond of his Grandmother's engagement ring. There they got engaged. In a living room in North Andover and -- with the perfect timing of providence -- in front of the trees overlooking the main shrine within Meiji Jingu.