We met online in December of 2019, just before the lockdown caused by the pandemic and had our first date January 15th at a BBQ place in Medina for dinner. Conversation was easy and first date jitters faded quickly. After dinner and running low on your “must know” first date topics, we felt so comfortable just being with each other that we knew a future date would be happening soon.


After the first date together ended, Anna received a message from her mother in Florida (Ohio Snowbirds). Anna heard that Julia was in the hospital. She was in critical condition after contracting an infection her body could not fight at 106 years old. Our next date would have to wait as Anna was quickly on a flight to Florida to be with family.


Anna has lived here in the Cleveland area for over a decade after moving to Ohio shortly after graduation from college in Boston. While not from Boston, Anna grew up and lived in Vermont before college. The move to Ohio came after her decision to move closer to her grandmother Julia in Ohio. They became the odd couple living together Anna’s first year in Ohio and it made Anna laugh when Julia would refer to her as her “Bosom Buddy”.


The next few weeks would be difficult for Anna after the death of her grandmother, but together we learned of our shared experiences of caregiving for the people we loved.


After serving two enlistments in the Marine Corps, Craig also moved back to Ohio, exiting service to assist family back home with his mother diagnosed with a progressive illness. Having shared experiences caring for loved ones would be immense comfort for Anna dealing with the loss of her grandmother after helping to care for her over the years. Only having just been on a date or two, together with friends help, we all met to move Annas grandmother’s property from her apartment. A special day that began to elevate and strengthen our new relationship.


Fast forward three years of a pandemic locked down together, unforgettable trips with friends and adventuring together, its our 3rd anniversary of our first date at Lagerhead’s. A planned weekend getaway in faraway Cleveland, Ohio to celebrate. Dinner was on East 4th St. and after a very cold walk, went to see Beetlejuice - The Musical at Playhouse Square. After the show we spent the rest of the night out in town, ending up in one of the best corner hotel rooms overlooking Playhouse Square.


The Anniversary trip would end with a proposal at our home in Burbank, Ohio. To Anna’s surprise, it was with the wedding ring that was once worn by her late grandmother, gifted to Craig by Anna’s mother Carol. The ring was bonded with a new one to symbolize our love and commitment as well as adding a sparkle for the past that helped bring us together.