Ann and Jeff met at a speed dating event at Claddagh’s Pub in Maple Grove, Minnesota, on August 19, 2015. Ann had just attended a similar event earlier in the month and almost left when she saw many of the same men. Jeff almost left when he saw the event was out in the open rather than a separate room as in the past. Luckily, they both decided to stay. During the six-minute comversation, Ann was delighted by Jeff’s creative questions and easy manner. Jeff was excited that Ann was a hockey fan and had become a fan of the Gophers through her employment at the University of Minnesota. At rhe end of the night they both checked “yes” and got an email saying they were matched. Jeff reached out to Ann via email the next day and many were exchanged until they met again one week later for a private date at the place it all began - Claddagh’s Pub. Ann and Jeff enjoyed a slow romance through life changes, job changes, and address changes. Together, they enjoy movies, Gopher hockey games, plays, concerts, in-person sporting events, and travel. Jeff’s child Lex has joined them on many adventures from visiting the winter ice palace to attending Circus Juventas with lots of movies, sporting events, Lego and Marvel exhibits, and traveling to new states. In September 2021, Ann and Jeff traveled to Hawaii for a vacation. While enjoying a walk on the beach in Maui, Jeff proposed and Ann said yes!