We first met at Texas A&M University, where we were both active in an on-campus ministry. Our friendship came naturally, and before long, we realized just how much time we wanted to spend together. Over time, Tate realized his feelings for Sydni had grown deeper, and once he shared them, our relationship quickly blossomed. After dating for about a year, we knew we wanted to spend our lives together. Tate proposed on campus, and a year later, we were joyfully married! We have been married since January of 2020, and our relationship has only grown sweeter and stronger with each passing year.

Hi, my name is Sydni, and I was born and raised in a sweet college town in Texas! I'm passionate about advocating for others, making people feel known and included, and continually growing in my faith. After graduating from law school in 2023, I began working as a corporate attorney. I love that I get to learn something new every day and get to know people from all different backgrounds. My family and friends mean the world to me, and I especially cherish my friendships with other women who encourage me, bring so much joy to my life, and make me better every day. Above all, my husband is my greatest treasure -- he is my best friend and favorite person to spend time with.

One thing I look forward to about being a mom is being a safe and soft spot to land for our future child - physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I look forward to always listening to and kindly guiding our child through whatever life may bring their way.

fun facts

• My favorite food is cheese fries, waffles, or crepes
• I played varsity basketball for 3 years in high school
• I love listening to true crime and reality tv podcasts
• I enjoy embroidering - specifically, floral patterns
• I scored in the top 1% of bar exam takers in the State of Texas
• My favorite music artist is Post Malone or Taylor Swift

What I love about Sydni

Sydni is the most intentionally kind, generous, and intelligent person I have ever known. She is an incredible listener, a fun and adventurous companion, and someone who deeply cares for every person in her life. I admire the way she makes others feel seen and valued, always including people and lifting up the quieter voices around her. She is also a deep thinker, a thoughtful planner, and seems to excel at anything she sets her mind to. I feel so blessed to be her husband, and I know she will be an amazing mother. -Tate

My name is Tate, and what matters most to me is my faith, my family, and investing in the people around me. I grew up moving around a bit, living in Indiana, the Carolinas, and mostly Texas. I work every day as a pastor at my church, helping people better understand the Bible, grow in their faith, and above all, love and serve God. Ministry has been a part of my entire adult life, and in the spring of 2027, I will finish my Master of Theology. The greatest gift God has ever given me is my wife, Sydni. My favorite thing in the world is spending time with her, whether we're traveling, going to sporting events or concerts, or exploring zoos and aquariums together. I also love reading, watching hockey, and spending time with friends.

One of the things I'm most excited about as a future dad is teaching. I'm a lifelong learner, and I can't wait for the chance to help with homework, read together, and teach our child about God and the Bible.

fun facts

• My favorite food is Tex-Mex and BBQ
• I was on my high school debate team
• I can read ancient Greek and Hebrew
• I've self-published 3 books (so far!)
• I collect Hockey jerseys and pucks
• My favorite musician is Zach Bryan

What I love about Tate

Tate is the most thoughtful, hardworking, and patient person I have ever known. He approaches everyone he encounters with warmth and intentionality, making sure everyone in his path feels seen, heard, and invested in. He has a remarkable ability to foster growth in others and become a safe space for vulnerability. His quick wit, ability to make anyone laugh, and pure joy are my favorite traits about Tate -there is never a dull moment! His consistent and steady presence, along with his unwavering kindness, will make him the best dad in the world. - Sydni

• Book: Beartown
• Movie: Inside Out
• TV Show: The Office
• Animal: Otter
• Video Game: Pokemon
• Drink: Dr Pepper
• Candy: Almond Joy
• Veggie: Carrot

• Book: The Summer I Turned Pretty
• Movie: Legally Blonde
• TV Show: One Tree Hill
• Animal: Penguin
• Video Game: Mario Party
• Drink: Diet Coke
• Candy: Twix
• Veggie: Cucumber

In 2024, we bought our first home, and when we chose it, we did so with our future child in mind. They will have their own bedroom and a playroom, as well as a backyard where they can laugh, play, and run around with our dogs or friends. Our hope is for our house to always be a safe space filled with love, comfort, growth, and joy.

Our neighborhood is a quiet suburb filled with families and children playing together. It has sidewalks perfect for bike rides and several nearby parks where families gather. It has already become a place where we feel connected and cared for, and we know our family will continue to fit in and thrive here.

We have two sweet dogs, Maggie and Phoebe, who bring so much joy to our home. Maggie (pictured above) is a Yorkie-Poodle mix who loves people, going on walks, and fine dining. Phoebe (pictured below) is part Yorkie, with a little Maltese and Poodle mixed in. She is unbelievably sweet, playful, and always ready for a long nap. Both of them are wonderful with children, and we know they will be so excited to welcome a little one into our family!

We love to spend time with our friends, and they are such an important part of our l ives. Their love and support have impacted us in so many meaningful ways, and we know they wi l l be quick to embrace our future chi ld. Most of our favorite moments with friends are spent around the table sharing meals, laughing over games, and enjoying time together at church events. We are grateful to be surrounded by a community that feels l ike fami ly, and we are excited for our chi ld to grow up surrounded by that same love and encouragement.

My family is composed of my parents, Ken and Cindy, who have been married for 30 years, and my two older brothers, who are both in loving marriages with two children each. My family lives about 90 minutes from our home, so we are blessed to see them often.

My parents are excellent grandparents who prioritize showing up and spending quality time with their grandkids. Whether that's showing up for dinner or taking grandkids to soccer or gymnastics, you can count on them! They are overjoyed about our decision to adopt and will love this child immensely. Their example of faith, compassion, and sacrifice has shaped our whole family in lasting ways.

My brothers and their wives are some of the hardest working, intelligent, and committed parents I know and it's such an honor watching them raise their families. They are already such caring, fun, and present aunts and uncles, and I know they cannot wait to welcome another child into the family.

Overall, my family is a lot of fun - gatherings are full of games, laughter, and lots of good food. Whether it's a family dinner, a big party, or just a Texas A&M football game (which is a holiday to us!), the house is always full of joy and fun.

I come from a big family. I'm the youngest of four, and all of my siblings are married with families of their own. Altogether, we have eight nieces and nephews, and it's such a joy to be their aunt and uncle. My parents, Tim and Tina, live just a few hours away. They are experienced grandparents and are overjoyed at the thought of welcoming another little one into the family.

My family has a wide range of gifts and passions in mathematics, computer science, engineering, business, marketing, and the medical field. Each of us has found our own calling, but what unites us most is our shared faith in Jesus Christ. My grandfather on my dad's side was a great spiritual leader and also served in pastoral ministry. Now, as adults, we are all very involved in our local churches.

Adoption is already a special part of our family story. My mom was adopted, and my oldest sister and her husband adopted their third child. Because of this, I know our future child will be deeply loved, celebrated, and fully included by my family.

• Christmas - We celebrate Christmas as the birth of Jesus, God in the flesh. Our traditions include attending a candlelight service, watching Christmas movies (our favorite is Elf), baking gingerbread cookies, driving around to see Christmas lights, and exchanging gifts that remind us of the greatest gift of all.
• Texas A&M Football - Since we both graduated from Texas A&M, the start of football season is a special tradition. We love gathering with friends and family to watch the games, and whenever possible, we make it to a game in person. We can't wait to share this tradition with our future child.
• Birthdays - We love going big for each other's birthdays, showering one another with love and celebrating the gift of life. We are so excited to include our child in this tradition and make sure they always feel celebrated and cherished on their special day.
• Easter - We celebrate Easter as the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our traditions include attending an Easter service, baking a carrot cake, enjoying brunch with family, and reflecting on the incredible hope this day represents.
• Future Traditions - We are also excited to embrace and include traditions from our child's heritage. We look forward to learning, celebrating, and honoring their culture of origin as a regular and joyful part of our lives.

We love to travel and experience new things. Since getting married, we have visited several states and even a few countries, including Japan and the United Kingdom. Some of our favorite adventures have been feeding the deer in Nara, Japan, and watching Team England play at Wembley Stadium. We especially enjoy experiencing new cultures, attending sporting events, exploring amusement parks, and walking through zoos & aquariums.

Travel is something we truly value because it helps us grow, learn, and widen our perspective of the world. As we look ahead, we are excited for many more trips in our future as a family of three. No matter where we go, we know our adventures will always be special because we are experiencing them together.

Thank you so much for taking the time to get to know us through these pages. We are deeply grateful for your consideration and for the love you are already showing your child through this process.

Please know that we are praying for you, for peace, wisdom, and strength, as you make this important decision. No matter what you choose, we want you to know that you are seen, valued, and loved.

With Love,

Sydni & Tate