How did your love story begin?

We met when I was working as a shift leader at Subway, and he had just started as a warehouse supervisor for KDP. There was something in his eyes, something gentle hiding behind his big, burly beard—a quiet softness I hadn’t seen in anyone before. He was going through a rough patch, and I wasn’t looking for love, not then. But when he walked into Subway that first time, something unspoken passed between us, and we agreed to go to lunch the next day. By the end of that lunch, it was official.

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

My favorite memory with Aaron will always be our trip to Niagara Falls, New York. It was there, standing near the edge with the roar of the water behind us and the golden hues of the sunset melting into night, that I fell in love with him all over again. The way the fading light framed his face, the quiet strength in his eyes, and the soft, contented smile he wore made everything around us disappear. In that moment, I felt at peace, like time stood still for us.

What would you do with $20,000?

If we won the prize money, the first thing I’d do is pay off Aaron’s car—just to take that weight off his shoulders. Then, I’d make a dream come true and take him on a trip to Italy. His mom’s family is from there, and I know how much it would mean to him to walk the streets his ancestors once did. It would be amazing to see him experience that part of his roots for the first time.