Connect How did your love story begin?

At 34, after years of unsuccessful dating, I was lamenting to a friend at a bachelorette party about NYC dating. She casually mentioned she might have someone for me. Fast forward 6 months later, she posted a photo of a handsome guy, and I realized he was the mystery guy. Since I was feeling pretty shameless, I slid into his Instagram DMs. It took him two months to reply (NBD), but once we finally had our first date in Astoria, Queens in June of 2023, we never looked back!

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

Our favorite memory is getting engaged on Fire Island. At the time, I was nearing the end of my chemo treatments for breast cancer, completely bald, and terrified for my upcoming mastectomy. To take my mind off things, TJ treated me to a fun, distracting day at Ocean Beach. At the end of the day, he led me to a secluded spot on the sand and got down on one knee. Even without hair or eyebrows, he looked at me and said he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. It was the best moment ever.

What would you do with $20,000?

Cancer has taken so much from us, but we refuse to let it take away our dream of starting a family of our own. As a public school teacher in New York, paid maternity leave relies entirely on a built-up bank of sick days. Because I had to deplete my entire bank to survive cancer treatments and surgery recovery, I am left with very little paid leave for the future. God willing, when the time comes for us to welcome a child, this $20,000 would be so incredibly helpful.