Toward the end of COVID, we both happened to be on Facebook Dating. I logged on one day just to delete it, but Kyle’s profile popped up first—and something made me pause. I thought he was cute, so I sent a message saying I was deleting the app but gave him my number. He texted minutes later, and after our kids (both 4 at the time) were asleep that night, we talked on the phone for three hours. From that moment, everything just clicked, and our lives instantly began changing for the better.

We took our first trip out of the country to Mexico, a long-overdue escape after three exhausting years fighting for and winning full custody of Kyle’s daughter( now my daughter too). It was also the first time we’d ever been away from the kids (then 7 and 8) for more than a couple of days. For 8 unforgettable days, we traded routines for rest, worry for joy, and reconnected without distraction. No schedules, no stress; just sun, laughter, and the peace we had fought so hard to find.

We’d love to add a fence to our backyard to create more privacy and a safe space for the kids to play. We spend most of our time at home as a family, and making the most of these years together means everything to us. Connecticut’s long, dreary months make the warm seasons precious, and a fenced yard would let us truly enjoy them. The kids love being outside, and in today’s world, having a private, secure space would bring us peace of mind.