Connect How did your love story begin?

We met online in Nov, 2004. Bonjour! After talking for 3 weeks, we finally met face to face. K: I liked his pics, but when I walked in where he was waiting, I thought, “I could look at that!” J: I saw her and thought, “WOW!”. After a marvelous hour, time was up. K: J helped me put on my coat and gently brushed my neck with his fingers as he pulled my long hair from my red leather jacket. Oh my! Next day, 10-hour date: dinner, dancing, singing, kissing… and the start of a lifelong partnership!

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

With so many memories in 20 years, 8 kids, and 8 grans… one or more of them living with us until 2023, a favorite memory is our first trip (alone) to northern CA. We planned a trip to see all of the marvelous sites near San Francisco. We explored China Town, ate the chowder & toured Alcatraz; took 3 days in Yosemite, got a boat tour on Lake Tahoe, tasted wine in Napa, saw Bodega Bay, walked among the redwoods, and saw a streaker on the beach! 10 days of adventure, discovery and laughter!

What would you do with $20,000?

We’d donate to our church, Amer Diabetes Society, set up some sort of fund for single moms (K was a single mom with 5 kids) or fund some monetary gifts to budding young artists or donate to the local high school theater group (both Kat’s passions). Then we would give a portion to our adult kids; perhaps set up something for our grandchildren. If there was anything left, we would love to travel or cruise to places we haven’t been yet: Hawaii, Alaska, or the Pacific NW… or buy a dozen eggs!