A chance deal, a world of disappointment & a last minute change of ❤️ “If I do this, we have a deal?” My friend Lacey had been suggesting Hinge for 2 yrs, & I’d just volunteered her for a coaching session, so we had a deal! Four strange dates later, I was staring at the raw end of that deal. Funny thing, timing. 1 wk after swearing off dating, the hopeful romantic in me mustered 1 last attempt. As she headed to her last ‘single’ b-day dinner, I swiped ⏩️ 2 yrs later to the day, I’d be on 1 knee!

On our 3 MONTH mark I stepped into an apartment of candles shaped into hearts & numbers inside that led down the hallway. 1-2-3, took me to the bedroom; now an al fresco restaurant. My favorite painting was projected on the walls & ceiling & Emile Pandolfi playing Starry Night. A tiny kitchen table squeezed in nicely to the even tinier room for a home cooked pasta dinner under the stars exchanging letters & confessing our love for one another. I’ve never felt so special. - Shelley

As two emerging creatives who have changed career paths to fulfill happiness over paychecks, this money would pay off debt and then be saved to build our first home. A modern and minimal pre-fab house with land for studio space, gardens and hosting friends. I am sure there would be a trip off of our bucket list enjoyed and donations to local cat shelters in need. Something we’ve always wanted extra funds to support.