He was the DJ and I was a dancer in a Baha'i youth ensemble. He was focused on school, work, saving money, and service, and many girls liked him. But his shyness needed my aggressive city-girl vibe. I figured out what the perfect date would be: a Star Trek movie at a dollar theater on the one day he was off. I said I wouldn't ask again if he said no; he said yes. We continued serving, performing, doing homework, and praying together. In two years, we got married.

We were both let go from our jobs only months apart during our eight-month separation, drowning financially from the 2008 housing crisis while I fought cancer. The overwhelming stress broke us in 2012. He called about his layoff and I made a U-turn to meet him by the lake. We walked in silence, listening to the birds flying overhead, holding hands for the first time again. In that moment, we chose each other. We promised to survive and thrive in life together.

A portion will go to our 9th annual Dr. MLK Day of Service to conduct service projects in schools on the south and west side of Chicago. Take a much-needed vacation, and make renovations to our beloved condo after living there for 25 years.