Music is one of our favorite ways to bring people together, and we can't wait to share music with a child. We get together with friends weekly to jam and sing (Jess plays drums and Andrew plays guitar and bass). Gardening is our favorite summer activity– our butterfly paradise yard is a perfect place for a child to play!

Jessica also loves volunteering. For the last few years she has been supporting an Afghan family that had to relocate to the U.S. She helps them navigate American culture and get to doctor's appointments, and does fun activities with the kids, like introducing them to their first quesadillas!

,p>Andrew loves woodworking and can't wait to build toys or a treehouse one day. Jessica loves trying out new smoothie recipes, and Andrew is obsessed with coffee! We dream about sharing homemade pizza nights, backyard picnics, and living room sing-a-longs with a child.

We deeply value education and learning, and we are committed to understanding a child's natural interests and strengths and providing opportunities to develop them. Learning is a joyful part of life! Jessica was a school-focused learner growing up, while Andrew forged an independent path, showing how curiosity and determination can open doors. So we appreciate that there are many ways to learn! We have great school options–we're two blocks from a wonderful elementary school, and others nearby focus on Spanish immersion, STEM, and arts. We'll make sure this child attends the right school for their unique gifts, receiving the support they need to thrive.

As a writer, Jessica can't wait to share her love of language and reading; Andrew is making plans for a sandbox. We picture trips to the library, messy kitchen science experiments, nature walks, and discovering the world through travel. Whether this child's path leads to college, the arts, or inventing something brand new, we'll support them every step of the way.

We will also take care to impart the life skills every child needs–communication skills, empathy, kindness, respect, and hard work. We can't wait to help a child explore the world!

From Jessica: Andrew is extremely kind and thoughtful. He is always growing and learning. He is a very hard worker who is loyal and true to his word. He is a great teacher, and loves sharing discoveries with children. He is generous with his time and attention, always willing to help others. I can already picture him patiently helping with homework or making a child laugh while teaching them how to fix something. Lastly, he makes me laugh every day. He'll be such a fun dad! I'm so excited to see him bring joy and wonder into a child's life.

From Andrew: Jessica is a total sweetheart and my favorite person to talk to. She's compassionate and nurturing—qualities I know will shine every day in how she mothers. I really respect how much she cares for the people in her life– she'll be the mom who listens closely at bedtime, making a child feel safe and understood. I admire how she has built an incredible community. I'm also so impressed with the amazing career she has developed from scratch through hard work and talent. She has an infectious sense of joy and is the most fun person I've ever been around.

We live in a peaceful, family-friendly neighborhood in a large, diverse Midwestern city. Every season brings new family activities—outdoor concerts in the summer, apple picking in the fall, ice skating and a kite festival in the winter, and making homemade maple syrup in the spring. We are a block from a beautiful park and love packing a basket for summertime picnics. Our block is full of connection, with a summer block party and winter soup potluck. Many friends with kids live nearby, and we often meet at the farmer's market or at the lake for an ice cream. There are even two other adoptive families on our block, which makes our community feel very supportive.

Our home is a spacious, calm, classic 4-bedroom. Our kitchen is our favorite gathering spot, where Andrew tests new recipes and friends and neighbors drop by. We dream of snuggling with a baby by the cozy fireplace on snowy nights, and rocking in our hammock in summer. Our finished basement is perfect for movies and music. Our cats, Pounce and Barb, are bundles of love and silliness we know will curl up happily with a child under the skylight.

We both come from warm and loving families. Jessica's parents live a few hours away, and we are very close to them. Jessica's dad is a retired doctor (always on hand for medical questions!) and her mom was a stay-at-home parent. Jessica is also very close to her younger sister. Jessica has LOTS of cousins-- we've recently spent time with cousins in London and California! Jess's extended family gathers every year for a week of food and laughs.

Andrew's dad is an artist; he also has two brothers and an uncle who is like a brother. Andrew's beloved mom, a fashion designer, sadly passed away from cancer a few years ago. Caring for her during that time was a life-changing experience for both of us, and deepened our understanding of what really matters. Family and community are at the heart of our lives– we love hosting big Thanksgiving meals and dinners. Our families are overjoyed at the thought of welcoming a baby. We're also surrounded by a strong, supportive community of close friends—including other adoptive families with kids ranging from babies to fifth graders—who already feel like extended family.

We are honored you've taken the time to get to know us. We have the greatest respect for you and we are holding you in our hearts as you move forward in your process. We hope that sharing more about ourselves will give your heart some peace as you consider adoption for your child.

We met in the last place we ever expected-- a computer meet-up! Andrew was the organizer. Right away, Jessica noticed how Andrew made everyone feel welcome. We became good friends and eventually realized this was "the one." We were living in different states at that point, and talked every day on Andrew's commute as we nurtured our long-distance relationship. A year later, Andrew moved to Minnesota. We've now been married for ten years.

When we first married, we were very focused on our careers and worked hard to build a stable foundation for our future family. Andrew is a dedicated mentor to younger colleagues and is completely self-taught?"his career is the result of curiosity, determination, and a love of problem-solving. Jessica is a writer whose work is steeped in ideas and creativity. Our home is full of stories, music, and projects, and we can't wait to share bedtime reading and hands-on adventures that spark a child's curiosity. Because we both work from home, we have lots of flexibility and plan to adjust our schedules to care for this baby at home.

We are so excited to grow our family through adoption. We promise to provide your baby with a loving, warm, safe and secure home, and every opportunity to become who they are meant to be. We will nurture your child's potential and teach them the value of kindness, responsibility, and hard work, and instill confidence in them. We cannot wait to welcome this child into our entire strong community of care and support. They will know every day, in big ways and small, how deeply loved they are.

We'd love to stay in touch in ways that feel good to you?"whether through photos, visits, phone calls, or updates. We're committed to keeping you present in your child's life. You will always have a place of honor in our home. We will always speak about you with the greatest respect and love. We've dreamed of being parents for many years. When we realized adoption was the path for us, we felt so grateful, because it means our family would grow not just with a child but also with the connection to a birth family we'll always honor.

Thank you again for considering joining us on this journey. We cannot wait to share our love, joy, and curiosity about the world with a child. You will be in our prayers as you make the decision that is right for you.

Warmly and with gratitude,

Andrew & Jessica