Asking for help is incredibly uncomfortable for us, especially because we know how we got here.

We aren't going to pretend that our debt happened to us or that we had no part in creating it. We made financial decisions over the years that we wish we could change, and we take responsibility. We know this is ultimately ours to fix.

And we are trying.

We work, take on extra jobs and responsibilities, budget, cut back, and make changes to how we handle money so we never find ourselves in this position again. We aren't looking for someone else to simply make our problem disappear.

We're asking for a little help climbing out.

Right now, so much of what we earn goes toward debt that it feels incredibly difficult to make meaningful progress. Every dollar that helps reduce that balance gives us a little more room to keep pushing forward ourselves.

More than anything, we want a different financial future for our boys. We want to build savings, prepare for emergencies, contribute toward their futures, and teach them better financial habits than some of the ones we had to learn the hard way.

And if we're fortunate enough to reach the other side of this, we hope someday we'll be able to do the same for someone else. We'd love to be in a position where instead of needing help, we're able to give it.

There is absolutely no expectation for anyone to donate. We know everyone has their own responsibilities and struggles. Sharing this fundraiser, sending encouragement, or simply rooting for us means something too.

We'll keep working toward this whether we receive $5 or nothing at all.

But if you choose to help our family get there a little sooner, please know how deeply grateful we will be.