Connect How did your love story begin?

We began as casual friends in high school, and a spark ignited during our senior year in the school musical. I was the quintessential preppy—collars up, pennies in my loafers—while Paul wore flannel shirts and Timberlands. Our nicknames for each other were and still are Rosey (I love roses) and Rusty (redhead!). We parted ways, led full lives, and reconnected in 2010. Forty-three years later (nearly to the day of our senior prom), we walked down the aisle to finally become husband and wife.

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

Which time around? Our favorite high school memory was hanging out in the lighting booth during play rehearsals, eating his mom's Chex mix. The do-over? It sounds trite, but it was our second "first date." Paul flew down from NJ to FL so we could meet in person after many months of phone calls and texts. We had reconnected on Facebook after his dad passed and found the feelings were still there. We had a wonderful time getting to know each other as adults, in the comfort of a shared history.

What would you do with $20,000?

Since our wedding, time has been tight, and between our work schedules and some medical challenges, we have not been able to take a honeymoon. We would be so grateful for the opportunity to go on a cruise, using part of the money. We would make a donation to the charities that brought our beloved, Broadway-adjacent senior dog, Bridgette, into our lives. She was supposed to be part of our wedding; the invitation even came from her, but she was too frail to make the trip and passed shortly after.