How did your love story begin?

Our story began with persistence. We kept running into each other through mutual friends and around town, and Michael never stopped asking me out. I resisted because he’s 15 years older than me. Then he helped me study for my teaching credential exam and convinced me to have dinner with him. We talked for hours that night. Somewhere between the laughter, encouragement, and easy conversation, I realized I wasn’t meeting an older man—I was meeting my person.

What is your favorite memory you've shared as a couple?

Our favorite memory is the day we eloped on a black sand beach in Hawaii. We wrote our own vows, and a local ukulele player serenaded us as our close friend married us. It had been raining all morning, but just before the ceremony the skies cleared and the sun came out. It felt like the island was celebrating with us. Five years later, we still talk about that magical day and the promises we made there. That day wasn’t just the start of our marriage—it was the start of every adventure we’ve shar

What would you do with $20,000?

Like many couples, we’d use some of the money to ease financial pressures and build a little more security for our future. But we’d also invest in something we’ve learned is priceless: experiences together. Our dream is to travel to Italy, exploring places we’ve only read about and creating memories we’ll talk about for the rest of our lives. The greatest gift isn’t the trip itself—it’s having more time and adventures together.