Connect How did your love story begin?

Carmen and Juan met by chance as coworkers at IHOP in 2017—she, a gothic soul from tiny-town Kansas, he, a reformed bad boy from Mexico City. Though they spoke different languages, a spark ignited through shared love of music, anime, and deep conversation. Carmen, fresh from hardship and searching for peace, asked him for a kiss—and everything changed. That kiss became a bond neither could break, turning pain into purpose and two strangers into soulmates.

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

Our favorite memory, the one etched deepest in our hearts, is the day our son Mateo was born. In that moment, everything changed. All the pain, the loneliness, the years of struggle—none of it compared to the joy of holding him together for the first time. We looked at each other and knew: this was the family we had always dreamed of. No more empty nights or aching hearts. Just us, full of love, finally whole. In his eyes, we saw our future—and it was beautiful. Love always wins.

What would you do with $20,000?

With $20,000, we’d leave for Mexico—a place others overlook, but where we see hope and safety. Here in the U.S., we’ve faced nothing but depression, fear, and shattered dreams. It’s not safe for us—caught in a system where law and citizenship have turned against us. But in Mexico, we see a new beginning. We'd build a home, start a small business, and raise our son in peace. It’s more than escape—it’s a chance to finally live, love, and belong without fear.