Connect How did your love story begin?

Synchronicity. JC paid for Bumble Premium and happened to drive through Queens, landing in Mieke's radius. She had 24 hours to message him before he disappeared forever. For a year, Mieke had visualized meeting her person and knew what his presence would feel like. The moment she saw JC, she felt it. On their first date, she showed him a photo of the niece she was adopting. JC froze. It was the little girl from his dreams.

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

The day we walked out together as a family. After years of dreaming, heartbreak, paperwork, waiting, and moving to South Africa to be near our daughter, there she was, finally ours. Looking at each other and realizing we'd made it through every obstacle to become a family remains the most meaningful moment we've ever shared.

What would you do with $20,000?

We would use it to buy something priceless: time. JC was just diagnosed with Stage IV kidney cancer, and $20,000 would help ease the burden of treatment costs, medical expenses, and time away from work. It would give us the freedom to focus on what matters most right now: his health, our daughter, and making more memories together. In this season of our lives, time is the greatest gift we could receive.