Ryan and Jenna met in college during the fall of 2003. Ryan attended St. John’s University and Jenna attended the College of St. Benedict’s. Ryan initially thought Jenna was a “stoner” as she almost always wore sweatpants and a tie die shirt to class and was almost never on time. Jenna thought Ryan was an obnoxious “Know-It-All” because he spent most of Freshman Symposium arguing with the professor. Jenna’s end of year thesis on stem cell research turned the tide and Ryan realized that even though Jenna didn’t like dressing up or getting out of bed before 10 AM, she was wicked smart! By the winter of 2004 the two started dating and by the fall of 2007, they were married!
Jenna has always had the heart and spirit of an adventurer. She spent the fall of 2006 studying abroad in South Africa where she went hiking all over the African countryside, cage diving with Great White Sharks and bungee diving. Meanwhile, Ryan has always been a realist. When he wasn’t focused on going to school nights and weekends to obtain his principal licensure, he was working on side gigs to help the family get ahead financially. The two have always been a perfect match. Jenna helps Ryan slow down and appreciate life, and Ryan helps ensure the Finke Family has never had to live in a van down by the river. 🙂
In 2013, Jenna and Ryan became parents when they welcomed their son Gavin into the world. In 2015, they welcomed their second son Levi. Both the boys definitely have the best of both Jenna and Ryan. Gav is a realist. He is smart, thoughtful, caring and analyzes everything just like his dad. Levi is smart, easy going, incredibly sweet and carefree like is mom. During the summer of 2024, Ryan and Jenna asked the boys if they would be up for an adventure? After lots of questions, they both agreed it would be fun. A year later, the family was heading to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic!