Connect How did your love story begin?

We were two souls shaped by pain. Love wasn’t in our plans, but it found us fast, fierce, and unexpected. We carried our wounds, but instead of hiding them, we healed together. Six months in, Joel started writing his vows, because he knew, even then, it would be forever. Through every trial, every moment screamed RUN, we chose each other. Call us crazy, but one year in, we married. Marriage didn’t fix us, it tested us. But commitment, though brutal, is beautiful. And we do it, every day.

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

We drove from Florida to Indiana. Twelve hours, nerves high. It was my first time meeting her mom. I worried if I’d say the right things, act the right way. But the moment we met, something clicked. We laughed, shared stories, even cooked dinner together. By the end of the trip, she hugged me like her own. I caught her smiling at her daughter with quiet approval. In that look, I saw it. It was the look of trust. Not earned easily, but fully given. I knew then that I belonged, and I was all in.

What would you do with $20,000?

The $20,000 would be used for a handful of things. Debt consolidation and a few investments would get us on a great track towards success. But, we wouldn’t stop there. Strategically using the money for a down payment towards our first home would also be a great investment, as well as giving us the opportunity to start our family together.