Connect How did your love story begin?

We are from the same small town in North Carolina and met in high school. We ran in different circles but were always friendly, and built a deep friendship during early adulthood. We remained best friends even when I moved away to Atlanta, and ended up moving in together about five years ago (and they were roommates !). This past winter, a group of friends visited us and we ended up sharing a bed, which led to us confessing our feelings on New Years Eve.

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

We have a lot of wonderful big memories we've made as a couple, but my favorites are the little ones. The way she makes me coffee every morning, showing her poetry I wrote about her before we were dating, the snoozing of alarms so that we can snuggle longer in the mornings. I knew she really loved me when she organized for us to go to all the showings of a David Lynch film series- my girl is not a film buff, and she really committed just to make me happy.

What would you do with $20,000?

We've been renting apartments together for the last five years as roommates, and now that our relationship status has changed, we would love to buy our first home together. $20,000 would really help with the down payment so that we can create a space for us as a family, rather than just as friends.