Connect How did your love story begin?

Keira and I met in Spanish 1 in Freshman year of High School. We had talked a little bit and I thought she was very cute and funny. On Valentine’s day, our teacher taught us some romantic phrases in Spanish- I wrote one down that meant “will you go out with me” and saved it for the next day when I tore it out from my notebook and took a picture of it with her phone. I told her to check her photos where she saw and translated my love letter. Then she smiled and said sí.

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

Keira had been loudly hinting that she wanted a promise ring which terrified me because we hadn’t even been together 2 years at the time. As we went on more dates I became certain that no other woman would do for me. On our anniversary, we skipped school and went for a hike. When we got to a peak with a pretty view, we exchanged gifts. When she saw the ring I saw the shock and excitement come across her face. She clearly did not expect me to actually get it. That smile is my favorite memory.

What would you do with $20,000?

Most of if not all of it will go to Keira. I am fully committed to attending a US Service Academy next year, where I will receive 4 years of free college before I graduate and earn commission as an officer in the Air Force. Keira is seeking a masters in Engineering at Texas A&M and will need much more than I do. This money would ease her financial burdens and make it easier for us to establish our life together after college.