My dad was living with early-onset Alzheimer’s, and I traveled to Pennsylvania to spend his final week with him. Everyone spoke of an activities coordinator who could calm him during his hardest days. I pictured an older woman in scrubs. Instead, a beautiful young woman walked in with tears and said, “I’m here to say goodbye to my Ricky.” After Dad passed, friendship became love. Today we’re planning our wedding. Shannon was my dad’s last—and greatest—gift to me.

It’s impossible to choose just one, but if I had to, it would be the gift Shannon made after my dad passed. She secretly had a stuffed dog sewn from his favorite hoodies and tucked a recording of his voicemail inside. Every hug feels like a piece of him is still with me. It wasn’t just the most thoughtful gift I’ve ever received—it showed me exactly who she is. That’s Shannon: someone who loves with her whole heart and somehow makes even grief feel a little lighter.

Our wedding is already becoming a dream come true—we have our venue, our July 3, 2027 date, and Shannon just found her dress! Winning would help us bring it all to life, especially by booking a live band that can go from Blink-182 to Taylor Swift to Sabrina Carpenter. It perfectly captures our relationship: different tastes, one incredible playlist. We want our family and friends singing every word together on the dance floor.