Both avoidant, its a miracle we found each other. We laugh at the same weird things, and make the hard stuff lighter—together.
We would like to thank you for supporting Vanessa and Mark in this year's competition. Your participation allows us to aid both the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and Oceana in their respective missions to support hunger relief and ocean conservation.
We met on Hinge— I was new to the D.C., he was recovering from a string of dry convos. I was (apologetically) 40 minutes late to our first date, but he waited (a green flag I didn’t know I needed). We had dinner, drinks, and ended up talking for hours. From that night on, something clicked. We come from different backgrounds—I'm Mexican and undocumented, he's white and born here—but we connected fast and deeply. He became my first boyfriend 3 month later after 3 asking attempts.
What is your favorite memory you've shared as a couple?One random Tuesday, after dinner and two martinis, he told me a wild story about instigating a fight between his cousin and a neighbor as a kid. It was so ridiculous, I laughed until I cried—real, breathless, doubled-over laughter. We were locked in sync, laughing like we’d been doing this for years. That moment, unexpected and absurd, was pure joy. It’s still my favorite version of us.
What would you do with $20,000?First, I’d pay the legal fees for my green card application when I become eligible—something Mark and I have already planned for together. It’s a big step toward stability and the future we want to build. Whatever’s left, we’d take off somewhere warm and quiet. We love the beach—it’s where we slow down and reconnect. Just the two of us, no phones, no noise, just ocean air and good food. That’s our version of bliss.
Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like America's Favorite Couple, Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact.
