In 2009, we were introduced through Darrell's late wife Debi. We all became great friends both in and outside of work while at Walt Disney World in Florida. Then tragedy struck in 2015 as Debi passed away and we were there to support each other through grief as friends. After a couple of years, we noticed a comfort level in our friendship and it slowly became more. Love began to grow! Darrell's son DJ, who already knew Andrea was very supportive. Our adventure began and in 2022, we were married!

In 2025, we did a 7 day shark tagging expedition in Andros Bahamas with the organization, Saving The Blue. We had just started Finn & Friends, and wanted field experience with sharks and the oceans we want to protect. We tagged, collected data and released 22 Nurse sharks and 5 Caribbean Reef sharks. We adopted Andrea's first shark "Kelly Sharkson"! She talked to that shark during the process which calmed it. Andrea cried it moved her so much! We were so thrilled to share this with each other!

This money would help us further our plan to expand Finn& Friends from a children's book to a research organization in the Pacific Northwest. Our blue sky goal is to invest in a research vessel that we can charter to non-profit organizations and schools so they can continue their education of the oceans and marine life. This money would be a significant starting point towards this goal.