Connect How did your love story begin?

We met in a bookstore, where she turned down my first invitation. Thankfully, I asked again. A few months later, I knew she was the one. Despite family opposition, we married during a Sunday morning church service. Our honeymoon was one night in a motel, interrupted by prankster friends. We started with little more than beans, some lawn furniture, and faith... but we had each other. Decades later, I'd still ask her again.

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

After saving for over two years, we finally booked a trip to Disney... only to have our car die on the way to the airport. We called in a favor, made the flight, and decided the adventure was worth more than the setback. We couldn't afford a Disney resort, but it didn't matter. We laughed like kids, made memories that still make us smile, and learned that the best part of every trip is simply being together.

What would you do with $20,000?

When we married, we couldn't afford a real honeymoon. One night in a motel was all we had, and even that was interrupted by well-meaning friends. After decades of choosing responsibility over luxury, sacrifice, raising our daughter, and putting her through college, we'd use part of the prize to finally take the honeymoon we never had. Maybe a Mediterranean cruise, maybe somewhere we've only dreamed about. The destination matters less than celebrating the woman I'd choose all over again.