This novel is about the life of Mary Ellen Murphy, a beautiful red-haired, green-eyed Irish lass from Waterloo, Iowa, born in 1912. The unsuspecting journey of her early life takes readers through the angst of a dreamy young girl full of wanderlust to see the world. Mary Ellen's motivation led her to aim for the excitement of the big city of Chicago to attend nursing school. It was just the beginning of many wonderful opportunities unfolding in her life. 
However, even after she met the man of her dreams nothing could have ever prepared them for what was coming. Their unfailing love would be tested one more time. She rose to the ocassion.