A mutual friend introduced us at a teen dance club for those under 21. Cathy remembers Jerry wearing an all-white Don Johnson outfit straight out of Miami Vice! When the friend who drove Cathy to the club left early, Jerry offered to drive everyone home. Neither of us knew that simple act of kindness would change our lives forever. Thirteen years to the day after we met, we welcomed our daughter into the world. One ride home became the beginning of a love story that has lasted nearly 4 decades.

Our favorite memories are the births of our children. Moments before Emily was born, our wedding song filled the operating room. Cathy looked at Jerry as tears streamed down his face. We knew our loved ones in heaven were celebrating with us. Then came Matthew, our Earth Day baby. Under the blue lights for jaundice, he looked like a tiny glowworm while nursing. Our children are grown now, but our greatest joy is the family getting together.

If we were blessed to win $20,000, every dollar would go toward replacing our roof, a $40,000 project. After nearly four decades together, we’ve learned that a home isn’t just walls and a roof—it’s where our family gathers, laughs, celebrates, and makes memories. This prize would help protect the place we love most and bring us one step closer to keeping it safe for years to come.