We saw each other from opposite ends of a bar one night. We recognized each other because we worked at the same place, but in different operations. We were both alone and we each had a book we had brought with us to read while we enjoyed our beer. After we made proper introductions we played pool and made small talk about work, life, people, and her being from France/Tunisia and how exotic I found that, as a Midwestern American man. We rendezvoused every week after to play pool and fall in love.

Hearing our son’s heartbeat for the first time is impossible for both of us to truly put into words. Souhela took me to her home in France in 2023, and whenever she looked at the sheer joy on my face she would beam with pride. At a Michelin-Star restaurant for lunch one day she was explaining the importance of proper manners in Europe to me. She concluded her tutorial with a belch only the two of us could hear, but we both laughed loud enough for the whole restaurant’s ears!

We still have outstanding hospital bills from our son Lucien’s NICU stay following his birth. Complications arose from Sou’s preeclampsia but he is now home, healthy, and remarkable! Our dream is to one day own a modest restaurant. Sou is a Michelin-trained chef and my entire career has been in FOH hospitality management. We want to raise Lucien surrounded by the value of honest work, and genuine people. We feel family restaurants are the perfect incubator. This money would help seed that also.