Connect How did your love story begin?

We met at a bar in Seoul, South Korea, where we were both English teachers far from home. The moment Renee walked in, everything else sort of disappeared. I had to meet her. I introduced myself, and a week later, we shared our first kiss at her birthday celebration. The next day, she texted, nervous I might have regrets about our kiss. I told her I remembered every single moment and had none. Fifteen years later, I still don't. Best bar in Seoul I've ever walked into.

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

Our first road trip together said everything about us. We hiked a mountain in Damyang, South Korea, and stumbled upon the monks who lived on the mountainside, getting a glimpse into their quiet, simple life. We took home pieces of their pottery, had a traditional tea service, wandered through a bamboo forest, and sat on the mountainside, soaking it all in. We slept on a hostel floor that night and didn't have much money, but we were falling for each other, and it was perfect.

What would you do with $20,000?

We own a small business, HeartWorks Writing, and we would pour this money into the creative community we love so much. Collaborations with artists, in-person and online workshops, local events, and public art all come together in spaces where imagination is alive and accessible to everyone. The creative spirit in all of us is worth investing in, and this would let us do so in a bigger, bolder way for those who want to participate, regardless of their budget.