We both started working in 2006 at Crispin Porter & Bogusky and got married to other people shortly after. Then, I had two boys and he had a girl. Years later, we both went through divorces around the same time and slowly became friends, supporting each other through hard seasons without really knowing how deeply connected we were becoming. What began as friendship grew into something undeniable. Two parallel lives that crossed at the perfect time—proving it was fate and a love worth the wait.

One of our favorite memories began with a mysterious corked bottle that washed up to JP in the ocean. We couldn’t wait to open it together. After a few days, we finally cracked it open and found a note rolled up dated 07/02/2016. That very day was actually July 2nd and we were convinced it was fate! Then we realized the letter was written in French, where dates are written day/month. It was actually dated February 7th. We laughed so hard—and it’s still one of our favorite stories today!

We’d take the trip we’ve always dreamed of with our four kids and create memories that will last a lifetime. The $20,000 wouldn’t just fund a vacation—it would be a beautiful way to celebrate the life we’ve built together through love, hard work, and unwavering commitment. It would become another unforgettable chapter in our story, proving that our once-in-a-lifetime love has always led to something extraordinary, and that the greatest adventures are the ones we share as a family.