Our love story began in high school marching band. I played clarinet, Maggie was in color guard, and we met through mutual friends. As our friendship grew, we spent even more time together in Chemistry class, where I helped her survive the subject. Everything changed on a long bus ride to a band competition when we held hands under her pink chenille blanket. We've been inseparable ever since.

One of our favorite memories is completing a 100-mile bike ride around Lake Tahoe for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. In the months leading up to it, Maggie was living two hours away during the week for her first teaching job, so training became a test of commitment as much as endurance. After months of sacrifice, we crossed the finish line hand-in-hand, a moment that perfectly captured how we tackle life's challenges together.

We would use the $20,000 to open and fund an ABLE account for our youngest daughter, Olivia. She has Hao-Fountain Syndrome, an extremely rare genetic condition, and while we have every hope she will live an independent life, we also want to ensure she has the resources and support she may need as an adult. Olivia brings joy to everyone she meets, and this gift would help provide long-term security and opportunities for the bright future she deserves.