Connect How did your love story begin?

When I was little, I had a best friend. We were USMC brats in SoCal. On orders, I went east, she stayed. We went to highschool apart, but for grad, I flew to visit. On the beach, we saw a boy. He was blonde with sandals. My friend introduced him as her "other best friend" and warned, "he's cute. I know." We connected online. 7 years passed. I moved to NY, he to LA. We never spoke. In 2022, he posted that he watched the Exorcist. I asked, "Have you seen the 3rd? No one has. But it's my favorite."

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

A friend suggested we book a boat tour. We weaved through heavy traffic of college graduations in the city. There was so much joy in the air, the families and grads celebrating. On the water, the colors of the city against the sky were the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. Then, for the sunset, they turned the boat to sea. I realized I'd never been on a boat in the ocean before, and I began to cry. The world felt so vast and I felt so lucky to be there. And Dylan held my hand the whole time.

What would you do with $20,000?

I think any reward we'd receive for sharing our story, we would put back into nourishing the longevity of our story. We both have dreams of one day owning a home, where we can put down roots and build our hearth. A place that we can call our own, to gather our friends, family, and all of those who have loved and uplifted us. Where Dylan can finally have a garden and I can lay to read in it.