Connect How did your love story begin?

Mark and I met in 2010From the beginning, it felt as though fate was gently nudging us together. We discovered uncanny coincidences—both of us had married our first spouses on the exact same day, same month, same year, and even at the same time of day. His firstborn arrived on 1/11/91, mine on 11/1/91. Later, after we were married, we bought a house and didn’t even realize our address—1117—matched our wedding date, November 17, until a former student who had attended our wedding pointed it out.

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

More of an affirmation, that we’ve survived so many challenges in such a short time, Mark has cheated death 3 times in 9 months, I quit my job to take care of him, we sold our home and now we have been forced to live 1300 miles apart while we take care of our aging parents and finish our careers and put in our time before retirement. Our love and respect for each other is so strong we know this is short term and we will be together again.

What would you do with $20,000?

The money would be a huge help in upgrading electricity and water on our California property so we can build our small forever home, be together, retire side by side, and care for our aging mothers nearby. As lifelong educators, money is often tight, but our love and commitment remain strong. This support would bring us closer to creating a peaceful future rooted in family, care, and togetherness.