Connect How did your love story begin?

In the woods of the Hudson Valley was a summer camp where adults with developmental disabilities would go during their summer vacation. It enabled them to have fun in nature away from their group homes, workshops and families. I was the lake lifeguard and my now-husband, David, was one of the many camp counselors who came over from Europe for a summer in America. The folks that came to Camp Echo, loved to serve others and wanted to experience life in America. David was the life of the party.

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

The birth of our son in '06 was a momentous occasion, but my favorite memory, overall, is the feeling of longing when we had an ocean between us. For nearly 3 years, we were a long distance pair, getting together only for holidays and summer breaks. We wrote snail-mail, love letters to stay connected and the anticipation of a phone call or letter in the mailbox exemplified the magic of our love. 20 years later, NOT taking each other for granted is easier thanks to those early days.

What would you do with $20,000?

Two years ago, I wrote a children's book. Proceeds from all sales are donated to a friend of our who was born with a limb disability. All efforts to market and expand the reach of the story is with the goal of helping our friend and others like her. Winning this contest will allow us to promote acceptance of those with differences and raise awareness of how we can serve others. Winnings would be placed in a trust to support those efforts.