We’ve known each other since Elementary school and we were acquaintances, but never dated in school. In our 20’s we each experienced divorce, but were determined not to give up on love. We reconnected again on Facebook. We talked a couple months before going out. At our second date, we talked so much that we closed the restaurant, a bar, and then went to Whataburger so we could still enjoy each other’s company. The night ended with a goodnight kiss. This was the beginning of a lifetime of love.

It would have to be the day Derek proposed to me. It was Christmas Day and all the presents were opened. Before cleaning up, Derek mentioned I forgot to check my stocking. I went to check it and he had a handwritten letter telling me why he loved me since he was too nervous to say it all. When I turned around, he was on one knee and asked me to marry him. Three of the kids were there; one filming and the other two watching this unfold. All jumping up and down excited we’d be a family.

If we won $20,000, we would like to do something to feed some of the homeless, donate some to our church, use some to create a savings for the unexpected and our growing family, and invest some of the other money for the future.