NYC Strangers Devastated by Sandy Fall in Love, Win Six-Figure Lotto Prize in Connecticut

Two New Yorkers lost everything in Sandy, but three years later they're buying the house of their dreams thanks to a six-figure prize from the CT Lottery.

Dennis Klaus and Maryann Daino each left behind the rubble of their homes in separate boroughs in New York City after the storm swept through in 2013 and moved to New Milford, Connecticut, to start over. According to the New York Post, that's where they both joined the same church and fell in love. 

The CT lottery says the couple bought the winning ticket at a gas station in October and went to the organization's headquarters Monday to claim their $255,555 winnings. Klaus said the couple waited months to claim the prize because they were worried they could lose everything for a second time.

"We took our time claiming the prize,"” he said. "We lost everything before and we didn’t want to lose everything again. We wanted to be careful, so we talked to an accountant and a lawyer first."

Daino said Klaus didn't believe her when she first handed him the ticket and told him they had won.

"He thought I was kidding him," Daino said. "I said, 'No, Dennis, I'm not kidding. This is our new home.'"

The couple planned to go to the bank after claiming the prize to make an offer. 

"It’s the house of our dreams," Daino said. "It’s important that people know... you have to keep the faith because there is life afterwards, and there’s a wonderful life waiting."

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