Our love story began unexpectedly 31 years ago. I was working in São Paulo, Brazil, as an expat executive while Victor was an ER physician in Northern VA. A former U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and widower, he had two teenage children. We met on a blind date in Maryland while I was on a layover before a flight to Rome. Five days later—before a real date or kiss—Victor proposed. Less than a year later, we married and built a blended family with his two teens and later our biological daughter.

My favorite memory is that we got married four times! We first exchanged vows at the Justice of the Peace in Las Vegas, then celebrated again that day at the Chapel of the Flowers, where I wore a $200 vintage wedding dress I found hours earlier. Six months later, we were married with family and friends, followed by a cherished Korean Paebaek ceremony. Every “I do” celebrated our love, families, and heritage, and reminded us that our greatest blessing was finding each other.

We'll donate the $20,000 prize to help survivors of human trafficking earn their high school diplomas and pursue trade school or college. Margaret has mentored trafficking survivors pro bono for years, helping them rebuild their lives through education. We will also donate a portion to Gilchrist for serious illness and end-of-life care, and to Blossoms of Hope to support cancer, mental health, and Maryland beautification initiatives.