Connect How did your love story begin?

We met on the Staten Island Ferry in NYC. I was a senior in HS and my group of friends noticed Patrick. They nicknamed him “the cutie from the ferry”. I had no interest at the time since all of my friends were giving him so much attention. Soon after he pointed me out as a challenge and began to talk. We spent days talking and had a picnic at Central Park. That was when I realized I’d began to fall in love with him.

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

After 29 years together it’s difficult to choose just one memorable moment. Giving birth to both our daughters (Victoria 1998 and Tattiana 2003) was memorable. Our family trips, road trips were all memorable. Our 1999 marriage in City Hall and then our Catholic Church wedding in 2010 were beautiful. In 2013, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and it’s been a very difficult debilitating disease to navigate but my husband has been by my side through all my hospitalizations.

What would you do with $20,000?

We moved from NYC to sunny Florida 1 1/2 years ago. We bought our second home and it needs some maintenance and repairs. We would use the $20,000 to invest it into our home (roof and disability accommodations) so that we can live comfortably in our home and leave this investment to our 2 beautiful daughters in the future.