We met in freshman science class—two teens who never wanted a relationship, until I saw Carlos and instantly knew I had to get close. I strategically befriended his friends just to be near him (he was clueless!). We started dating sophomore year, separated after high school, but life brought us back—through love, and unfortunately loss. After years apart and personal journeys, we found our way back. Now, 7 years strong, we're getting married this year.

Our first kiss happened after we skipped school. We went to the church next door and found a quiet spot to sit together. I kept getting louder just to make him shush me again and again. When I said, “What are you gonna do about it?”—he kissed me. I was so stunned I didn’t speak for 15 minutes. As we walked back to school, holding hands, I pushed him and said, “You didn’t even ask me out!” He laughed, asked me to be his girlfriend, I said yes—and grabbed his hand again I meant it.

I’d use the prize to help fix the home my parents passed on to me when they both passed away. It’s falling apart, but it means everything to me. I’m planning a small backyard wedding and hope this helps ease the financial burden so we can start our next chapter with a little less debt 😅