Connect How did your love story begin?

We have modern millennial love story, we met on a dating app (shout out to Soul Swipe!) in Fall of 2016. We started off talking on the phone and texting before going out on a few dates throughout the DC area. Through weeks of courting, our values were established and put into action, like bringing each other food after long days, having honest late-night talks, and always showing up. We knew something real was growing and it was during a NYE party that we decided to make it official.

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

Our favorite memory is our engagement during MLK Jr. weekend 2019. Rashad, the quiet planner, secretly coordinated everything. He led Dev through MLK Jr's monument, sharing a story of love and legacy before proposing in front of the statue with a photographer hidden in the crowd. Dev, usually the organizer, was stunned to find family and friends waiting at dinner that evening to celebrate. It was a joy-filled night of Black love, surprise, and warm embraces on a sleety winter evening.

What would you do with $20,000?

We bought our first house together a few years ago and have slowly been making it into our home. We view home as a place to retreat and seek comfort with yourself and loved ones, and we'd like to open our doors to our family and friends to do the same more often. We'd love to accelerate our improvement plans with the money by updating our backyard and opening up our main living space.