To the loving and strong woman reading this,

I don't know you, but I want you to know I am thinking of you and praying for you.

As much as I hope and pray to become a mother, I believe that this decision is yours. If you choose to parent, I will support that wholeheartedly. Your strength and love are evident simply in the care you are taking right now.

If you were to choose us, we would never take that trust lightly. Your child would always know that they were wanted and loved... by you and by us. We would speak of you with respect and gratitude. We believe a child benefits from knowing their story. If you ever desired continued connection in a way that feels healthy and comfortable, we would approach that with openness.

I dream of everyday motherhood moments: rocking a baby to sleep, bedtime stories, packing lunches, cheering from the sidelines, and praying over them at night.

I cannot pretend to understand everything you are carrying right now, but I can promise this: if entrusted with your child, we would love them with steadiness, patience, and joy every single day.

Whatever you decide, I pray you feel supported and cared for.

With love and prayers,

Kathryn

From the very beginning of our relationship, we talked about what building a family might look like for us. Even when we were dating, adoption was part of the conversation. It wasn't a backup plan or a last resort; it was something that had already taken root in our hearts. As we've grown together, that calling has only become clearer. We want to grow our family and have always envisioned a home filled with children.

Along the way, we've had to consider the medical realities in front of us. Because of a history of blood clots, hormone treatments carry a significant risk, so IVF and surrogacy are not a risk we want to take.

We believe that family is built through love, commitment, and faith - not just biology. We trust that God already knows where our children are and that, in His timing, He will bring our paths together.

We first met while working together at a school--an unexpected place for both of us. Kathryn often jokes that it was the last place she imagined her path would lead, but she felt called to be there. At the time, neither of us knew that this chapter was the beginning of something much bigger. I still remember the first time I saw her. There was definitely something planted that day.

Life took us in different directions. A few years passed, careers changed, and then one day our paths crossed again, completely by divine intervention. In a moment that couldn't be planned, we saw each other randomly after nearly four years apart with no contact, and everything changed. The connection was instant and undeniable, and it was like it was always meant to be, and the time was right.

We believe God knew exactly when and how we needed to find each other again -- at the right place, the right time, and right moment in our lives. Since reconnecting, our relationship has been full of joy, gratitude, and purpose.

It feels fitting that our story -- which began at school -- also followed a school calendar. On the last day of the semester, after months of planning, I asked Kathryn to marry me.

Because she loves New York City, I chose a skyline view for the proposal -- something that felt cinematic and meaningful. I may have overplanned the dinner and taken a suspiciously long "restroom break" to retrieve the ring.

Instead of a traditional proposal, I gave her a vintage viewfinder filled with slides of our "firsts" -- our first date, first trip, first holidays. The final slide read: *"I want many more firsts with you... Will you marry me?"*

We both laugh now because neither of us remembers the exact words spoken. But we remember the feeling. We looked at each other and just knew.

Our wedding day was designed to reflect how we wanted to build our marriage: faith, love, and partnership. We were surrounded by the people who shaped us, supported us, and prayed for us. It wasn't just the start of a marriage -- it was the joining of two families and friends.

Looking back, we're grateful for how God has written our story so far. And we're excited for the chapters still to come.

"A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Eccl. 4:12

HEY THERE,

I'm Kathryn (or Katie to my family and godchildren). At the center of my life is my faith in God. It shapes how I see the world, how I treat people, and how I will raise a child: with love, integrity, humility, and sincere compassion for others.

Community, and specifically children, has always mattered to me. I've been volunteering since I was a teenager, have spent 12 years matched through Big Brothers Big Sisters, and currently serve on three nonprofit boards focused on strengthening our community and protecting children. I am an aunt to 5 and also have 2 godchildren. Investing in children and families isn't something I do occasionally; it's woven into who I am.

Professionally, I've built a career in finance strategy to help businesses grow, and currently in the healthcare space. I'm proud of the work I've done and the impact I've been able to make. As meaningful as my career is, it is and will always be secondary to faith and family.

I love being active and outdoors, playing tennis, snowboarding, swimming, doing yoga, or simply walking around our neighborhood. Movement clears my mind and gives me time to pray.

Feeding the people in my life is truly my love language. I have favorite recipes, but I'm always trying new ones too. I started learning to cook at 18, when I was diagnosed with Celiac disease, and have become an amateur chef, being creative and making almost everything from scratch.

More than anything, I work every day to be a steady, loving, faith-filled wife and someday mother, someone who creates a home where everyone feels safe, celebrated, and known.

-Kathryn

HEY THERE,

I want to take a moment to tell you a little about myself. Music has always been at the center of my life. I started as a professional musician, and over time transitioned to a music teacher. And that's when I realized that I love helping kids discover what they're capable of through music. That work fills me up every single day. Teaching isn't just a job; it's something I genuinely feel called to do.

Musically, I've had the chance to experience a lot of different styles - from classical to jazz to pop and rock. Now I am leaning into producing young artists and creating music for TV and Film. Music isn't just something I do, it's part of who I am.

Growing up, my family encouraged us to stay active and involved. Sports were a big part of my childhood. Our house was the one where the neighborhood kids showed up for a pickup game in the backyard. I played baseball, basketball, and football when I was younger, then later focused on track and golf. I love going with people to a game.

These days, outside of music, I love being outside and especially love grilling and barbecuing. I never pass up an opportunity to cook for friends and family... we truly mean food is an important part of our home life.

More than anything, I've always wanted to be a dad. It's something I've looked forward to for a long time. I can't wait to be the dad who is taking a car full of kids to sports practices, band rehearsals, or whatever activity our child is passionate about. I want to be that kind of involved dad. The one who is always there for their kids. Just like my dad was for me.

-Steve

We are Christians, and our belief in God guides the way we live and love. Faith influences our values, our decisions, and the kind of marriage and home we are building.

We attend church because we value gathering with other believers, learning together, and being part of a supportive community. At the same time, we are not closely aligned with a particular denomination. To us, faith is not about labels or institutions -- it is about a personal relationship with God that shapes everyday life.

We hope to raise a child who knows they are unconditionally loved and who feels safe asking questions and growing spiritually over time. While we will share our Christian faith in our home, we also believe each person's spiritual journey is personal. If our child ever wants to explore or learn about other beliefs, we would approach those conversations with openness, respect, and love.

Our desire is for faith to be a steady source of hope and strength in our family.

We believe work is meaningful when it serves something bigger than ourselves. For us, work is not about titles or achievement -- it's about using our gifts well and providing stability for our family. We both have careers that allow flexibility, and being present for our child, for the everyday moments and the big ones, is a priority. Kathryn hopes to take an extended leave when we welcome a child so she can focus on bonding and settling into life together, and Steve has paternal leave as well as summers off.

Play is essential in our family. We believe childhood should be full of imagination, laughter, and time outdoors. We picture backyard games, walks around the neighborhood, time at the community pool, and family adventures. We want our home to be a place where curiosity is encouraged, and joy is easy.

Consistent routines, clear expectations, and steady guidance help kids feel secure and confident. We hope to create a home where there is both freedom to explore and a dependable rhythm to each day.

Education is important to us -- not just academically, but emotionally and spiritually. We hope to raise a child who loves learning, asks questions freely, and feels supported in discovering their unique strengths. We believe in strong schools, engaged parents, and teaching resilience, kindness, and faith alongside math, science, and the arts.

Above all, we want a balanced life, one where hard work, joyful play, and meaningful learning all have a place.

Holidays and celebrations are something we treasure deeply. Over the years, as new people have joined our family circle, we've added new traditions right alongside the old ones. It's one of our favorite things about family: there is always room to grow, and every new member adds something meaningful to our traditions.

Food is at the heart of so many of our holidays and celebrations. The kitchen is usually the busiest (and happiest) room in the house. We host a big Thanksgiving and Easter meal each year with family and friends, with the motto "the more the merrier."

We spend the holidays surrounded by family. Whether it's the Fourth of July at the lake watching fireworks, summer breaks with everyone tucked into a cabin, or our annual family reunion filled with aunts, uncles, cousins, stories, and laughter that carries late into the evening. It's something that we look forward to, and we want our children to experience all the joy of a large, loving family.

Christmas time is our favorite time around our house, and we have a LOT of Christmas traditions. As much as we love Thanksgiving, as soon as it's over, we pick out a tree, decorate the house (inside and out), bake cookies, watch movies, and work on a Christmas-themed puzzle that sometimes takes us weeks to finish. We bake a lot of Christmas cookies so we can send cookie tins to friends and family across the country.

Birthdays are sacred in our family. Every person is celebrated. There is always a cake, candles, and the tradition of gathering to sing Happy Birthday, sometimes even in different languages. We want everyone in our family to know they matter and that their birthday is worth celebrating. And it's not uncommon for a single Birthday to turn into a "birthday week" or even "month."

Our home is in an established neighborhood filled with lots of families with children. On any given afternoon, you'll see kids riding bikes, families out for walks, and neighbors stopping to talk. Inside, our home is open and welcoming. The layout allows everyone to be connected, whether someone is cooking in the kitchen, in the office, or gathered in the living room for movie night. We love that no one ever feels far away from what's happening.

It is a safe place where we can be ourselves. Music is part of the heartbeat of our home. There is almost always a musical instrument within arm's reach, whether it's a guitar sitting in the corner or handheld instruments on the coffee table to grab while passing the time.

Our baby grand piano sits in place of the dining room, and everyone, including children, can't resist sitting down and pressing the keys. This often turns into an impromptu sing-along.

One of our favorite spaces is the big covered patio and the backyard. It's perfect for relaxing evenings, grilling with friends and family, or sitting outside while kids play. We even have a climbing tree with 2 swings that we can already imagine being part of childhood adventures.

We absolutely love to decorate for any holiday! It's a family tradition to hang lights together and be festive all year round. Our neighborhood even has a friendly competition for yard decor, and it's so much fun even to walk around the neighborhood and look at the lights.

Family is everything to us. We are blessed to have a close-knit immediate family who talks often and gets together as much as possible.

Often, you hear friends who are basically family; well, our family is also some of our best friends. Steve and his brother are BBQ besties. My (Kathryn) favorite travel partner is my cousin, and my sisters are among my favorite people.

Kathryn's parents live just 8 minutes away and can't wait to be grandparents again. We spend 2-3 evenings/days with them each week, with easy, quick drop-ins too. Kathryn's sisters both live a flight away but have already started planning frequent trips. Kathryn's mom comes from a large Italian/Irish family in the northeast, filled with close-knit aunts, uncles, cousins (and now their kids), nieces, and nephews. Steve's memaw, parents, and sister are just a car ride away. His brother's family moves around the state based on his football coaching job, but they are still close.

Family gatherings are full of energy, the kind where there are people of all ages playing together, older cousins helping younger ones, and adults lingering around the table long after the meal is over.

We are thankful for a close-knit group of friends. Many of them feel more like family. Some live across the country, but we stay closely connected and walk through life together.

Our community is beautifully diverse, made up of friends from different ethnic backgrounds, faith traditions, and income levels -- something we value greatly. A child in our home would be surrounded by a wide circle of people ready to love, support, and celebrate them.

We also spend a lot of time with our goddaughter, who already can't wait to have a "cousin." Watching her grow and being part of her life has been such a gift, and it makes us even more excited for the day our child joins this circle of love.

We love making memories and exploring the world. We love adventure and exploring the world together. Traveling has always been important to us, and we enjoy experiencing new places and learning about different cultures.

We speak enough Spanish and Italian to get around, which has made those experiences even more meaningful. We fully plan to travel with our children and expose them to the beauty and diversity of the world, helping them grow up curious and open-hearted.

At home, we love outdoor adventures like paddle boarding, swimming, and pickleball. We enjoy attending sporting events and cheering on our favorite teams (even when they happen to be rivals), and we never pass up the chance to go to a great concert or show. We love making memories together and look forward to making more as a family.

In our home, quality time is something we protect. We are intentional about putting screens away and being fully present with one another.

Many of our favorite evenings happen around the table, playing games together. Sometimes it's cards or strategy games with friends, and other times it's silly classics like Candyland or Chutes and Ladders with the little ones. Right now, we're even learning Mahjong as a family. And when we're looking for a little more activity, we enjoy playing pickleball.

Cooking is another way we connect. We have my grandfather's pasta sauce recipe that takes over ten hours to make, and on those days, the kitchen becomes the heart of everything. We take turns stirring the sauce while others play games nearby, talk, and simply enjoy being together.

It's not the activity it's the togetherness.

We hope to raise a child who grows into a kind, confident, and compassionate person, someone who feels secure in who they are and supported in who they are becoming.

If we are blessed with the opportunity, we hope to grow our family and have multiple children. We love the idea of a home filled with sibling laughter, shared memories, and the lifelong bond of brothers and sisters walking through life together, like we have each had.

Our faith will continue to be an important part of our family's future. We plan to be part of a church, to pray together, and to build traditions rooted in gratitude and service to others. We hope our children grow up knowing they are loved by God and surrounded by a community that supports them.

We imagine holiday gatherings, birthday celebrations, game nights, family dinners around the table, and simple weekly routines that create a sense of belonging. We hope to see family often, travel, explore new places, serve in our community, and encourage whatever interests and talents naturally emerge.

Above all, we want our home to be a place where laughter is common, forgiveness is quick, and love is steady and dependable.