Connect How did your love story begin?

I (Shawn) was invited to meet up to catch up with a childhood friend and catch a movie. When I got to the movie theater, the friend had brought about 5 others. Immediately, my eyes went to Belle, but she wouldn’t give me the time of day. Before I’d even gone home, Belle found my Instagram and asked me to go on a date the next day, saying she wanted to get to know me but was too shy to say it in person. We started dating the day we met.

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

It would have to be Belles birthday surprise a few years back. Shawn booked an old cabin that had no WiFi, bad cell service, and was tucked away, but it was in a beautiful lakefront and on the property of a nice older couple. It was a no technology weekend together, home cooked meals, the couple made us muffins, and there was a sweet dog that would hike with us. We would feed the fish in the pond, sleep in late, and just enjoy each other’s company with no distractions.

What would you do with $20,000?

$20,000 is enough to cover the rest of our car payments, and all credit debt we’ve collected from buying a house at 22 years old. With that paid off, we would have over an extra $1,000 a month no longer coming from our paychecks, and we could use this to reconnect and adventure again since we’ve done nothing but work and live paycheck to paycheck lately. It would also put us in the position financially where we can finally have our first kid after being together for 9 years.