It started with a Facebook message: Matty was mid-run across America for firefighter cancer awareness, and Alicia, a friend-of-a-friend, wrote to say she was inspired. He'd sworn off marriage forever yet knew immediately he'd marry her. She friend-zoned him. They sent hundreds of video messages until a near-death experience in Louisiana made her picture life without him. He later texted, "I'm in Love." She thought it was an odd way to say it until he sent a photo of the sign: Love, Mississippi.

Our wedding during COVID was beautiful and private, but the weeks after were the miracle. One by one, each of Alicia's three kids came to Matty privately in their own way, on their own time, and asked him to be their dad. Not stepdad. Dad. None of them knew the others had asked. After everything they'd survived, they each chose him. In January 2021, a judge made official what three kids had already decided. Best memory of our lives, times three.

We'd give it away. Between us, public service isn't a hobby; it's how we've built our lives together, and it's shown us both how fortunate we are and how much need exists right in our own community. We wouldn't rush the decision; $20,000 can genuinely change things for a local organization if it's placed thoughtfully. So we'd take our time, look close to home, and put it where it would matter most. We have each other; we already have everything we need.