How did your love story begin?

I was going through a breakup and my cousin was going through a divorce. We deserved a drama free vacation. The moment we landed in Punta Cana, we knew we were in paradise. We found our favorite spot on the beach and that is where my cousin noticed someone who kept looking my way. Eventually, he worked up the courage to finally spark a conversation. Little did I know that would be the first of many long conversations bridging the gap between language barriers and distance.

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

Each year on our anniversary, we share our passion for travel by visiting a city outside of Chicago. With family and friends all over the world, we try to visit as many places as possible. We were lucky enough to visit Portugal for the first time as a couple. It was a magical place that just deepened our love for other cultures. On the same vacation, we were then able to visit friends in Spain. It was a mixture of exploring a new place together while visiting with loved ones along the way.

What would you do with $20,000?

We would like to continue to build a home where we met and where his family lives. He has struggled his whole life and has made so many sacrifices for his family. It is only natural for us to come full circle and spend the rest of our future together in the place we found our forever love.