We met at a Caribbean party in early 2022. Malcolm saw me walk in and lit up, he told me I looked beautiful and danced with me all night (with a few strategic walk-offs). We were already following each other on IG, and he slid in my DMs with a smooth Thai food invite. The next day, we hung out, ate Thai, and watched Game of Thrones for hours. A few days later, I left for a travel assignment in Nevada. We stayed in touch, did long-distance, and reunited in Houston that summer.

To date, our favorite memory is our engagement. I thought I had planned my entire birthday trip to Costa Rica but Malcolm had other plans. One evening, just before our sunset dinner on the beach, he surprised me with a proposal under the sky, surrounded by the sound of the waves and the people we love. It was the most thoughtful, romantic moment and a reminder that love always finds a way to surprise you.

We’d use a good amount of it to help fund a little meaningful wedding with family. We hope to celebrate love without breaking the bank or going into debt. We don’t believe starting a life together should come at the cost of financial peace. The rest would go toward building our future and dreams. The $20K would fuel love, legacy, and impact while setting the foundation for a life rooted in purpose, partnership, and a little Caribbean flair.