Stefan and Claire first met in the spring of 2019. Both were invited to a friend’s birthday celebration. It was an evening full of laughter, fun and of course, some good beer. The first time that Claire and Stefan spoke was at Bad Weather Brewing and although it was a fun get together where everyone was chatting, drinking and enjoying catching up, the two couldn’t help ending up chatting at a table on their own. The first location led to a second location where Stefan and Claire sat and talked the rest of the night. Some select friends LOVED the idea of these two getting together and very much encouraged it. Now, you may think the rest is history…but you’d be wrong. Although the two single people, Claire and Stefan, connected and shared great conversation, the two parted ways without exchanging numbers, never to speak again…until six months later. In December 2020, both were still single, living their busy adult lives. But Jenny, Claire’s close friend, would not let it go that Claire and Stefan were meant to be together. She was adamant that they needed to plan to go to another event where we both would be present. So, on an icy December day, Jenny sent a message to Claire saying that they were getting together with friends to celebrate Casey's birthday and that Claire had to come because she knew that Stefan was going to be there. Claire, of course, wanted to go. How could she pass it up? Unfortunately, it was the Patnaude family Christmas and Claire couldn't miss her family gathering. Jenny was disappointed, but understood and knew she'd get them together some other way. As the day went on and the weather got worse, major freeways began to shut down making travel inadvisable. In a turn of events, Claire's Christmas with her family canceled! She called Jenny right away let her know that she was in. She was going to see Stefan again that night. Now, you could say, the rest was history.

Claire and Stefan now reside in Crystal, MN with their golden retriever, Kona. They purchased their home in 2021, just a year and a half after dating and the transition couldn't have been easier. They completed a few house and gardening projects over the last few years but still have a long list of to-dos to complete. They have enjoyed vacations out of state and up to the cabin, camping in the summer time, getting together with friends, cooking new recipes, and always enjoying a fun cocktail on a patio. Within the last year, both took big career jumps and landed in new positions. Stefan, now a marine technician, has fully enjoyed working on boats and displaying his expertise in trouble-shooting and working with his hands. Claire made the leap away from education and is now a contract and license coordinator working with interns across their company to help them succeed within their internship (not too far off from teaching, right?) In all the business that surrounds them, they continue to make time for each other with monthly date-night-outs, tuning into their current favorite shows, and just spending time near one another while Stefan games and Claire reads.