How did your love story begin?

Our story began 26 years ago beneath the flickering glow of KMart’s blue light specials, aisle romance at its finest. We were just friends then, bagging bargains and trading jokes, with no idea we were standing at the precipice of forever. Then came our first plot twist: he left for the Army, and I figured that was that but fate had other plans—and a heat stroke. He was sent back home (and straight to me!). Two years later, we traded our red vests for wedding rings and our adventures began!

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

One of our favorite memories is fostering a sibling pair in crisis. The brother’s behaviors pushed us to the edge, but with teamwork, love, and relentless consistency, we saw amazing transformation. We supported their mom too, and two years later, we reunited the family with tears, hugs, and the works. It was hard, holy work. Without each other, that chapter might’ve ended differently. But together? We helped rewrite their story.

What would you do with $20,000?

With $20,000, we’d continue to create a healing space for families in crisis—a cozy corner for kids, a safe haven for parents, and a hub for connection. It would help me finish my trauma-informed therapy degree and launch a practice focused on foster care and family reunification. Our dream is to keep rewriting hard stories into hopeful ones, together.