Our son has been asking for a sibling for over a year now. He checks in all the time, always curious, and has taken to kissing Katherine's belly just in case his wish might already be coming true.

He does not know about our adoption journey yet because we want to wait until we are bringing a baby home so we do not get his hopes up. But when that day comes, we already know he will be thrilled!

He is five years old and one of the best things that has ever happened to us. He is smart in a way that catches you off guard, silly in a way that fills a room, and kind in a way that makes us feel like we must be doing something right. He asks big questions, makes up fun games, and has an old soul.

He is going to be an amazing big brother. Not because we hope so, but because we already see it in him every day. The way he notices when someone is sad, and the way he loves deeply and without holding back. This child will never wonder if they belong. They already have a big brother waiting for them.

Our free time looks a little different depending on who you ask. Katherine is most likely found with a good book, trying a new recipe, or on a walk or bike ride with our son. Jason is most likely found under a car he is working on, in the middle of a house project, or planning the next camping trip. Together we are most likely eating good food or playing at the park with our son. Weekends often mean getting outside, exploring local trails, heading to the beach, or just letting our son run loose in our backyard while we watch the neighbors' horses and cows from the fence. Jason always has a list of house projects and somehow never runs out of them. Katherine always has a list of new recipes to try and somehow never runs out of those either.

As a family, we love local fairs, monster truck shows, and finding new parks and children's museums. Some of our best memories have been simple family days with no real plan, just the three of us, good snacks, and seeing where the day takes us.

One of the things we love most about each other is that what you see is what you get. We are both exactly who we appear to be, and we think that matters.

Jason would tell you that Katherine is one of the hardest working and most determined people he has ever met. When she sets her mind on something, she finds a way to make it happen. She is sharp and funny, and the kind of person who can make a room laugh without trying. Watching her be a mom has been one of the greatest things in his life. She is our son's biggest cheerleader and his soft place to land.

atherine would tell you that Jason is the kindest man she knows. He is quiet about it, never making a big deal of it. He has always had a soft spot for the people and animals who need it most. In his twenties he delivered meals to seniors and made a point of stopping to chat with each one, since for some, that was the only conversation they would have all day. He is that same way with kids and animals, always gentle and patient. He is also the smartest person in almost any room, though he would never say that himself. And if Jason calls you his friend, he means it for life.

Our home is the best of both worlds, just a short drive from town but surrounded by nature. We have a three bedroom, two bathroom home with a big yard, large trees, and more wildlife than we expected. Our neighbors have horses, cows, chickens, and goats, and it is common to see deer and turkeys wandering through our yard. Our son loves spending afternoons outside exploring every corner of it.

Inside, we have a playroom that has become the heart of the house and is full of toys, puzzles, and books, just the way we like it. We moved in about a year ago and are slowly fixing it up ourselves, one room at a time. But our favorite place will always be the backyard.

We are only a mile and a half from downtown, local events, great restaurants, and everything a family needs. There are over fifteen parks and playgrounds nearby and great schools. It is the kind of place where a child can grow up with room to roam and a community around them.

We grew up in a small town, and most of our family still lives nearby. Both of our families are large, loud, and wonderful, the kind where holidays mean multiple celebrations just to fit everyone in. We joke that we live a real life "Four Christmases," going from one gathering to the next, where you will always find kids playing, tables full of food, and someone in the kitchen. Katherine's gatherings mean decorated tables and no one leaving hungry. At Jason's, the men always find their way into a corner to talk about elevators, it is the family business and they are proud of it. Between the two families we have five siblings, five step-siblings, and twelve nieces and nephews.

We also love making our own traditions just the three of us. Christmas is one of our favorite times of year. Jason decorates the whole front yard with lights, we go cut down our tree together, and we spend the day decorating cookies. Summers mean trips to the beach, local fairs and carnivals, and camping out in our backyard.

From the moment we shared our adoption plan, our families have been so excited and supportive. This child will be joining not just our home, but a big, caring, and devoted family who will love them fiercely!

We want to start by saying thank you. Genuinely, thank you for taking the time to read our letter, for the courage it took to get to this page, and for the love you already shown for this child!

We are Katherine and Jason. We started dating in high school, went to prom together, got married in our thirties, and somehow, twenty-five years later, we are still choosing each other every day. We are parents to a wonderful five year old boy who has been asking for a little brother or sister for some time now. He does not know about our adoption journey yet, but when that day comes, we already know he is going to be the best big brother in the world.

Our path to growing our family has not been a straight one. We tried for five years to have our son, and after a difficult pregnancy and a hard postpartum period, we made the decision that another pregnancy was not right for us. We could not be more ready or more grateful to adopt this child and complete our family!

Our home sits on the edge of town in a rural setting that feels like the best of both worlds. Our neighbors have horses, cows, chickens, and goats. Deer and turkeys wander through our yard. Our son spends his afternoons outside exploring every corner of it. Inside, there is a dedicated playroom filled with toys, puzzles, and books. We moved in about a year ago and are slowly making it our own, one room at a time. Jason is building it with his hands and Katherine is filling it with food and laughter.

We come from two large, close families who have been very supportive of our plan to adopt. We grew up in the same small town and still live nearby, so this child will be surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and the kind of community that shows up without being asked. The holidays at our house require multiple celebrations just to fit everyone in. This child will not just be joining our family, they will be welcomed into something much larger.

We want you to know that we will always speak about you with love and respect. From the very beginning, this child will know their story. We believe that adoption is not a conversation you have once. It is something you talk about from the start so it always feels normal. This child will always know where they came from and how loved they are by us, and by you.

We will send photos and letters on whatever schedule we agree to, for as long as you would like to receive them. If you would like a visit in those first few years, we are happy to accommodate that. We want you to have peace of mind, not just today, but for years to come.

We cannot promise perfection, but we can promise presence and dedication. We can promise a home full of laughter, good food, and people who show up without being asked. We can promise a big brother who will make absolutely sure this child feels like they belong.

With gratitude and love,

Jason & Katherine