Connect How did your love story begin?

We met when Meg was in college and interning for a non-profit organization that a mutual friend started. We hit it off, but as friends. Susie was moving to China to teach English, and Meg had just finished her first year of college. Over the next 8 years, life took us around the world a few times, but we stayed in touch. After both of us had experienced earth-shattering breakups, our friend encouraged us to connect and commiserate. We connected, but we didn't do much commiserating.

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

Our wedding was unforgettable. We rented a cabin in Black Mountain, NC, and invited our closest people for a snowy February weekend. It was too cold to do the ceremony outdoors, as planned, but everyone pitched in to decorate and move furniture. Susie had to salt the driveway so the baker, florist, and photographer could reach us. Before we said “I do,” all eighteen of us stood in a circle and passed our rings around, each offering a blessing—intimate, chaotic, and perfectly us.

What would you do with $20,000?

When you have five kids, something always needs to be fixed. But that would be the most responsible thing to do. Our goal is to one day introduce our children to all the places we love, so we would use the money to take our first epic adventure as a family. We both love to travel, but haven't had the opportunity to do so since starting a family. As you could imagine, getting all seven of us out the door for school and work in the morning is quite a feat, so travelling far will take a miracle.