Connect How did your love story begin?

We started out as business fraternity brothers at JMU. We grew to be close friends but never pursued anything more. Things changed after college graduation. I shot my shot, coincidentally around the time Nabeen started growing out a nice full beard. He reciprocated the interest but it didn’t go anywhere until 2 years later. We spent our first “date” in the hospital after I had a reaction to something & we’ve been laughing together & avoiding the hospital ever since.

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

On a silly note, one of my favorite memories with Nabeen was actually before we started dating when he made me laugh so hard I peed my pants in front of a big group of our friends. On a more serious note, our trip to Bangladesh with his family was one I’ll never forget. I got to meet his extended family, stay in his grandparents’ home, visit the village parts of his family grew up in, eat the food & learn to speak some of the language that is so integral to who he is.

What would you do with $20,000?

We would probably get a second cat so our kitty girl LoFi could have a sibling to play with & hopefully stop knocking over every cup of water we leave out. We would also plan a trip to Ireland with Kaela’s family to experience where they came from. Some would go towards a wedding fund & making sure all of our friends/family are able to travel to us. And of course hiring a DJ that can truly capture our taste in music. We would also send money to families suffering in Gaza!