Courtesy Kiplinger’s Michael and Teresa McSween of Bowling Green are featured on this month’s cover of Kiplinger’s, a national finance magazine.

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The McSweens didn’t think it would happen.

But it did.

Michael and Teresa McSween of Bowling Green were featured on this month’s cover of Kiplinger’s, a national finance magazine.

Editors were looking for a couple who had financial questions to feature in the “Best List” section and on the cover of the magazine. When a friend read about Kiplinger’s search for a front-page couple, she recommended that the McSweens apply for the opportunity.

She filled out a survey provided by the magazine and sent the publication a photo of herself and Michael. The survey required the McSweens to include financial tidbits they would like to learn.

“We gave them a whole list of things we were excited to learn about,” Teresa McSween said.

Teresa McSween sent the application at the end of September, and they received a call from the publication staff around mid-October.

“I had forgotten about it,” Michael McSween said.

But they won’t soon forget their moment in the national spotlight. The publication flew the couple to New York, where they spent eight hours at a photo shoot.

“I give respect to models a lot more,” Michael McSween said. “You’re pinned and prodded. I don’t think I sat 10 or 15 minutes the whole time.”

After the shoot, the McSweens returned home and did not hear from the publication for a while.

“So, we felt like we lost it again,” Teresa McSween said.

But soon, magazine representatives called the McSweens and reminded them to watch the magazine racks. And finally, the magazine hit the stands.

“I thought I looked taller,” Teresa McSween said, turning to her husband. “And you’re such a nice guy and a down-to-earth person. It makes you look powerful.”

Teresa McSween said her mother bought every Kiplinger’s magazine that sat on Wal-Mart’s shelves. And the McSweens have loaded their arms with the magazines, too.

“There’s still some at Barnes & Noble,” Teresa McSween said. “And I haven’t hit Walgreens yet.”

But the McSweens were most surprised by the response. They received e-mails and phone calls from people they have not heard from in years.

“We’ve been getting e-mails from all over,” Teresa McSween said.

And their children, 7-year-old Emily and 5-year-old Ellie, see their parents in a different light.

“We’re rock stars with our children,” Teresa McSween said.

The McSweens own Just Bedding on Scottsville Road and Discount Mattress Outlet on Russellville Road. The publication sent the McSweens a poster of the magazine front, which they are thinking of hanging in one of their stores.

“It’s always great to get the free press from it,” Michael McSween said.