Our love story began at work, in the least likely place—the trucking company where we both worked . Both of us were carrying plenty of life baggage, but friendship came first. Through laughter, honesty, and healing, that friendship turned into love. We’ve built a beautiful blended family, and through all of life’s ups and downs, we remain each other’s greatest support and biggest fans. Our love is proof that sometimes second chances bring the best kind of happiness.

Our most unforgettable memories together are the births of our two daughters—both dramatic, terrifying, and miraculous. Nora Grace was born at 35 weeks, and I nearly lost my life from a postpartum hemorrhage. Mazie arrived even earlier, at 33 weeks, after an intense 20-minute labor that almost ended in an emergency C-section without anesthesia. In both moments, J.C. was my rock—calm, steady, and by my side through it all. Those experiences showed us how fragile life is, and how strong love is.

We would finally tackle much-needed home renovations that we just can’t afford on my teacher salary while raising three kids at home. With two little ones and a teenager, our house has definitely seen better days. We dream of creating a comfortable, safe, and happy space for our family—a home where the chaos is loud but the love is louder. $20,000 would help us turn that dream into reality.