Connect How did your love story begin?

We were friends and both had crushes on each other in school but never said anything. Then we went our separate ways as adults. I unfortunately got into an abusive relationship and moved out of state at 18. When PJ heard how bad it was a few years later, he drove 1200 miles with a friend of ours to come take me back home. I don't want to sound morbid, but I really believe I'd be dead if it weren't for him. This year marks 11 years together and 6 years married.

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

A million little things come to mind, like just laying together on a lazy Sunday watching a movie, cooking meals together, or taking our dogs to the dog beach. If I have to choose a big thing, it would be when he proposed to me at the Magic Kingdom in front of the castle. He knew I had a rough childhood and knew how much Disney meant to me in trying to heal my younger self. Just being so cared for by him is my favorite memory. He's the most wonderful, selfless man I've ever met.

What would you do with $20,000?

We would use it as a down payment for a home we can finally call our own. To finally give our "furbabies" the yard and space they deserve to run around and not be cramped anymore. And to just finally breathe easy in our own space. I'm a preschool teacher and PJ is a union electrician and it's still hard to make ends meet in this economy. It would be a huge weight off our shoulders.