How did your love story begin?

Like all modern American romances, ours began on a dating app. We hit it off right away, talking every day for a week. On our first date we met at 9pm for a drink. Kit had finally graduated college a few days before and Kailen, a high school teacher, had just finished grading finals. What felt like a short time later, the bartender announced last call. Confused why a bar would close so early, we realized it was almost 2am. We had talked for almost 5 hours but it seemed like no time had passed.

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

A few months into dating, Kit was ready to tell Kailen they loved them. But one beautiful afternoon, while on a walk along Lake Michigan, Kailen beat them to it. They stopped, looked into Kit’s eyes, and said “There comes a point where discretion becomes dishonesty, so I have to tell you that I am absolutely falling in love with you.” Kit smiled, said it back, and told Kailen they had been planning on saying it that very same day. Two years later we got engaged at the same spot along the lake.

What would you do with $20,000?

We are planning to use the money to help pay for our wedding. We are both trans and non-binary, and it is important to us to be an example of free, authentic, healthy queer love to the world. We also hope to give back to the LGBTQ+ community by employing the services of as many queer vendors as we can. However, this is adding up quickly. To be able to host a wedding that celebrates our love authentically while also paying our community what they are worth would be a dream come true for us.