Connect How did your love story begin?

At a party, my toddler hugged a stranger—Aleksander. Later, when I had no ride, he drove us to McDonald’s. He didn’t date me; he became my friend and my son’s favorite. When I got seriously sick, he stayed—brought food, helped care for us. Nine years, a wedding, babies later, he’s still the man who shows up—not to impress, just because he cares.

What is your favorite memory you've shared as a couple?

One birthday, Aleksander surprised me by driving from Florida to New Orleans. I was half-asleep, thinking we’d just go picnic and see a sunrise far away, but instead, we spent a week in the French Quarter. He planned everything—from where we stayed to finally seeing a real Picasso, trying fresh crayfish, and wandering the lively streets. It was an unforgettable gift of love, thoughtfulness, and adventure all wrapped into one perfect trip. A dream of mine

What would you do with $20,000?

With $20k, we’d face the wonderful challenge of choosing what’s most needed—whether to buy a home for our boys to grow up safely in, save for our gifted eldest's Air Force / Marine Paleontology dreams, or start early speech intervention for our youngest. We’d love to take that honeymoon we never had, too. So many possibilities to help us grow and thrive—it’s hard to choose, but every option would bring us closer to the life we dream of as a family