Connect How did your love story begin?

Lane and Maddy met when he was a new surgical intern. He had served as a doctor in the Navy before, so he was extra impressive on his first day. Maddy was already a surgical resident at the hospital. They instantly clicked. Suddenly call wasn’t so bad when they got to spend it together. Eventually Lane started to invite Maddy over to try different local beers, play some video games, and play lacrosse in the park. One night they kissed and they knew they’d never be just friends/cosurgeons again.

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

Lane proposed to me in Namibia on top of Dune 45 at sunrise (that screensaver of the big orange sand dune). We were sweating and gross by the time we made it to the top. The last few stars had just disappeared and the sun started to shine over the desert. The top of the dune was quite narrow, so when I turned back to look at him at the top and he was on one knee, I thought he was falling. I reached to grab him and yelled, “are you OK?!” He laughed and asked me to marry him. (I said yes!)

What would you do with $20,000?

We are expecting our first child in January! We would use it to kickstart our little family with baby gear and prenatal care. We also have quite a few medical school student loans, since they technically pay under minimum wage in residency (when you divide by hours actually worked—usually around 80 hours a week each!). We of course would also donate some to a deaf program (we are ear surgeons in training after all) and the humane society.