While Emma was just starting her dream job of working at CVPH, Tom was soon to follow behind and was hired at the same location. Although some may be surprised, Tom was sure to stay the narrow course, keep to himself, and start off on the right foot at a new job. Emma, however, had different ideas. On his way back from lunch, Emma saw Tom go into the breakroom and knew this was her chance. Short of locking the door, she trapped him in the room and made him finally talk to her. "So, you like the new job?" VERY SMOOTH, EMMA! Tom, who is usually not short of words, was shocked and replied with "Uhhhh, yeah". A true where were you moment. Tom, wanting to reciprocate the forthcoming Emma, decided to find her on all of her social media accounts that night, like all of her oldest photos, and hope he wasn't reported to HR the following morning.

After trying to impress Emma by learning all the new LANY songs, watching School of Rock for the first time, and showing her his Guitar Hero scores, Tom finally mustered the courage to ask her out on a date. What he wasn't aware of was that he HAD to see Goatlandia as his initiation. On the way to pick up Emma, Tom was in the car, travelling through the Adirondacks, looking into his rearview mirror and practicing how he would introduce himself to Emma's parents. Little did he know, he wouldn't have enough time to introduce himself - Mr. Webster was on the front porch waiting for him when he pulled up. Emma, still doing her hair, got to watch her father show Tom every square inch of the land they own. Tom got to meet his very first goat(s) all the while walking through a foot of snow. After meeting Mr. and Mrs. Webster and the five goats, Emma and Tom were on their way to Albany. Knowing Emma loves basketball and knowing she owns the ACPH Three Point record for basketball (humble brag) - Tom knew that he had to bring her to see Siena Women's Basketball (Thanks Brett). Following basketball, we both got to enjoy Emma's favorite thing in the world - an hour inside Barnes & Noble and a meal at Cheesecake Factory

A relationship built on honesty, Tom was anything but in the week leading to the big day. Making sure he was asleep every night before Emma got home from work, he was more nervous for this than any day of his life. After coordinating with her family and friends, Tom had come up with the "perfect" plan. We would wake up early, spend the day together, go to her parents' for lunch, and meet Emma's friends later that evening. Riddled with nerves, Tom was awake at the crack of dawn and tried letting Emma sleep. After being awake for three hours, he couldn't wait any longer. Waking Emma up to see if she wanted to get breakfast was the only logical conclusion to get his mind off of things. Was throwing a pillow at her to wake her up a good start to the day? Everyone has their own opinions. After that nice show of affection, Emma thanked Tom for waking her up at 8:00 am after her 12-hour shift, and they both got ready for breakfast. Some people believe in signs, and the signs were not in Tom's favor that day. Between the diner holding them hostage by not bringing the check for 40 minutes, the mall's sudden crash of their cash registers, and a 13-year-old girl telling Tom that his Yankees' vest was stupid, Tom was holding on by a thread. We finally got back to the house to take care of Oakley before heading up to The Webster's, Emma said she wanted to change into some comfortable clothes. Knowing what was about to happen in a couple of hours, Tom had suggested to stay in her nice clothes and not change. "Do I not look good in sweatpants?!" Emma replied. God was testing Tom, and he was hovering on the fail line. We finally made it up to Goatlandia to "watch March Madness" with the family, and before we could get inside, Mr. Webster asked us if we wanted to take a trip across the road to see the land. Emma, wanting to watch basketball, needed some convincing that we could watch later. After persuading Emma, we made it over with her parents and sister. They let us walk on our own out into the distance and let Tom do what he does best - fumble over his words until it finally came out. He got down on one knee, asked Emma to make him the luckiest man in the world, and before anything else could be said, Emma belted out a "What the F...!" A true princess in every word. After a small celebration, Emma and Tom had made their way back home. Emma, thinking we were going to Cody's house, and we would surprise all her closest friends with the news, was in for a whole new surprise. All of her friends were at the apartment, decorating it from top to bottom, to throw a surprise party for the engagement. A day we both will forever remember!