Breanne and Grant Mooi’s worlds collided on a soccer pitch. “Grant and I met playing pickup soccer as we trained in the off-season for college,” Breanne recalls. For Breanne, a Palm Beach native, that was Flagler College in St. Augustine. Grant, who is from Johannesburg, South Africa, graduated from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. 

Their travels eventually landed them in Ohio. “We started our family in the Jacksonville, Florida, area and moved to Dublin in 2014,” says Breanne. The family has lived on Aryshire Drive in Muirfield since 2018. Breanne is a third grade teacher at Eli Pinney Elementary School, and Grant is a financial advisor with a financial planning and investment management practice under Bank of America/Merrill-Lynch.

When first moving here it was believed by the Moois that it was for work, however soon after their arrival they realized it was a true blessing in disguise. Six months after arrival and what was thought to be a routine check up, Grant and Breanne received news that their son, Grayson would need an open heart surgery. It was through the love and support of the community and care of the doctors at Nationwide Children’s hospital that they were able to get through this tough time. The discovery and success of Grayson’s surgery was a true blessing. 

The family includes son Grayson, age 13, and 11-year-old twins Declan and Pierson. As befitting a couple that met playing soccer, the passion for the sport is shared with their children. “We love all things soccer!” says Breanne. “We cheer for Liverpool and the Crew.” Grayson enjoys video games, art and other creative pursuits, and is taking golf lessons. Declan plays soccer, basketball, and futsal and enjoys being outdoors with his friends. Pierson plays soccer and futsal. She also enjoys basketball and playing outside with friends around the neighborhood.

The Mooi family logs plenty of travel miles as well. “We love to spend Christmas in Florida with family,” Breanne says. Last year, they also made stops in London and Liverpool in England; Sun City and Johannesburg in South Africa; Universal Studios in Orlando and the Bahamas. A beach trip to Florida’s Singer Island is an annual favorite, but the family is always up for a new destination. “Our passports are always ready!” says Breanne.

When they aren’t traveling, the Moois enjoy eating dinner at home together. “We eat a mixture of traditional American and South African dishes,” Breanne says. They catch Liverpool’s matches on TV at home or at McClellan’s. The family enjoys eating at The Avenue or the North Market at Bridge Park or hosting a backyard barbecue with friends. 

Grant plays in the pickle ball league at TCC. He is also on the Muirfield social activities committee. Lastly, he is on the executive board of Easter Seals of Southeast Ohio. Breanne still enjoys playing coed soccer. She is a futsal coach at Emerald City futsal, as well as a fitness instructor at Lifetime Fitness.  

You’ll frequently find the Mooi family enjoying time with their adopted neighborhood family. “We live on the best street with the best people,” says Breanne. 

Leaving family behind in Florida meant raising kids would be challenging, but Muirfield has filled the void. “Everyone is always looking out for each other,” she says. “Our neighbors and friends are the village it takes to raise awesome kids. We love where we live.”

Say hello to the Moois when you’re out and about. Chances are that’s where you’ll find them.