We grew up side by side in the quiet town of Chino Valley, Arizona, but it was the day after senior prom when our story truly started. We had a small window to experience our young love before graduation — a promise made at the cusp of adulthood and all things changing.

Our favorite memory is from college, when we were both so overwhelmed with assignments and work. We sat by the oldest building on campus and finally opened up about the feelings we’d kept inside to protect each other. It was our first lesson in building a relationship foundation—learning to communicate honestly, especially when it’s hard. Since then, we’ve made communication a priority and continue to grow together every day in our marriage. Our honeymoon is our second favorite!

Since marrying last April, we’ve poured our efforts into making a home of our own. Starting a family has been our dream from day one, but our small apartment feels too tight for the life we want. Being 25 in this tough economy isn’t easy, and some days feel overwhelming—but we keep pushing, fueled by love above all else. This support would mean the world, giving us hope and a boost to build the future we’ve been dreaming of together.