In high school we'd see each other around the music rooms, secretly crushing on each other. It wasn't until we ended up sitting next to each other in history class we finally had the chance to talk. We had instant chemistry. We'd never met someone who we could so easily talk to and be ourselves around. We quickly became best friends. Eventually, while walking on the beach at sunset Brandon asked Basil “Do you want to be boyfriend & girlfriend?” which was quickly followed by our very first kiss.

After high school, we packed everything we owned into a 1982 Volvo station wagon and drove 1,000 miles north with no plan in mind other than an adventure and being together as much as possible. We found a tiny apartment and built a new life. It was there that we grew up together, side-by-side, and our bond grew even stronger. All while having so much fun together. It was also where we started making music, and eventually our band SANDS, which is now our favorite thing to do together.

That kind money would be life-changing for us! We could finally have a wedding, and be able to invite all our best friends and Basil’s family from Poland. We would also use it to record and release our band’s debut album! Our favorite thing to do together is make music, and having the means to share our songs we’ve created would be so meaningful to us. And the rest would be used to go towards saving for a home of our own we can build the rest of our life in, and make music together everyday.