Our love story began nearly 15 years ago on August 13th on a summer evening that feels like yesterday. I introduced him to my family as my friend, not knowing what was about to change. That night, under a starlit sky around a campfire, he turned to me and said, “You introduced me as your friend, but I want to be more than friends,” and asked me to be his girlfriend. In that quiet moment, something beautiful ignited—a journey of friendship, trust, and growing love.

Our 28-hour road trip we took from Chicago to Tucson, Arizona. It was an adventure that sparked endless conversations, and filled the car with laughter, music, and moments we still cherish today. We watched the landscape change from city skylines to vast open deserts, shared stories and snacks, and found joy in the unexpected—the quirky roadside stops, the quiet moments watching the sunset, and simply being together through every mile. This made us realize how lucky we are to have each other.

If we were lucky enough to win the $20,000, we would use it to continue exploring the world together—starting with a dream trip to Greece. Traveling has brought us closer and given us memories we’ll always cherish, and this would be a gift we’d never forget.