Our love story began our 9th grade year when he started writing notes to me and putting them in random places. I didn’t know who it was because he signed every note with “The Bandit” and a drawing of a mask. I found out who it was, we went on a few band trips together, ditching school to be together, laughing in science class, so many memories we shared … we are so blessed to be able to make more memories together again.

We reunited after 35 years in Rapid City at the Alex Johnson hotel. I pulled up in a short-term parking spot, when we saw each other for the first time, we cried and hugged each other while the whole world disappeared. We didn’t care about the short-term parking or the busy-ness of the street. I forgot how green his eyes were, how hue laugh made me laugh, and I forgot how good his body felt next to mine. Within 35 seconds, it all came back. I fell in love with him all over again.

We plan to donate some of the money to a humane society and the leukemia association. We retired last year and bought a little place in Bonita Springs, Florida. We would love to remodel the kitchen and fly the kids to our new little place. We are always donating to good causes, so with or without the money, we will continue to do so.