Our love story began as friendship. We were friends when I, a hi school dropout was in a very abusive situation with an older man. Leonard was a mutual friend who was always a very respectful, kind gentleman. As I left that situation with my baby Leonard and I remained friends. Our love organically blossomed from friendship. He was patient and kind. He raised my baby as his own child from there after her bio dad committed suicide. He has brought me healing, joy and uplifted my spirit daily.

Our favorite memory as a couple is feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment as our 3rd and last high school graduate walked across the stage to collect her diploma. We were always low income at times having only one car driving 30 miles to take our girls to better schools and us to and from work. All the while working multiple jobs, picking weeds for the elderly, doing everything we could as a couple to support our girls. Never losing our beautiful friendship even through the challenges.

Having always been low income until I just graduated with my master’s degree in applied behavior analysis at age 57 we have never purchased a home except for a 1970’s mobile home that deteriorated. We would love to purchase a home that we could leave for our girls once we are gone. We would feel blessed to have a down payment for a home.