HI THERE!

First and foremost, we want to express how truly grateful we are that you're taking the time to get to know us. We know that these pages only offer a glimpse into who we are, but we hope they convey the deepest respect we have for you and your path. We are genuinely honored to be considered in this part of your journey.

In these pages, you will see a bit of the experiences we have shared, which have given us the time to build lives we are proud of - discovering who we are as individuals and as a family. Through the years, we have cultivated an incredibly close bond. Our relationship is built on a foundation of trust, communication, and a whole lot of laughter. We have found joy and stability in our lives, and we are ready to share with a child.

We believe that the best things in life are built on honesty and openness. We approach this process with open arms and open minds, wanting to be fully transparent so you can make a decision that is best for you and your child above all else.

Our family is ready to grow. We have so much love stored up, and our home is ready for the beautiful whirlwind of parenthood. Thank you for letting us share our hearts with you.

With warmth and sincerity,

Matt & Kim

We met at a wedding in Hartford, Connecticut. Kim is a friend of the bride, and Matt is a friend of the groom. We glanced at each other in the elevator going down to the wedding, saw something in each other, and spent the rest of the evening chatting.

At the end of that wedding, Matt asked Kim for her phone number, and Kim typed it into his phone and clicked call. Little did we both know, the call did not go through, and Kim's number was lost ... or so Matt thought.

After some scheming, Matt sent Kim a message on Facebook. Kim thought this was very weird since she gave her phone number, but went with it. For the next several months, we exchanged pleasantries and got to know each other through Facebook Messenger. Matt was then deployed and sent Kim his Skype phone number so she could call. We finally transitioned to actually talking on the phone. It wasn't until years later that Kim learned Matt lost her number the first time, and that is why the phone call ball was in her court.

When Matt returned from his deployment, he asked to take Kim on a date. This was certainly a challenge, as Matt lived in North Dakota and Kim lived in Connecticut. But, a gentleman that he is, Matt flew in to Connecticut to take Kim out to dinner.

In keeping with the trend of the story up to this point, that first date was anything but normal. Kim's grandfather died the morning of their first date. She was very sad and normally would have canceled, but how do you cancel on someone who got on an airplane just to take you out to dinner? So we went on our date, and Matt had to manage an emotionally strange situation. He did it well, as he got another date.

After that first date, we continued dating in unconventional ways. We would either have to visit each other in our respective locations, which were Louisiana and Connecticut at the time, or we would have to meet at a middle ground. It was funny to explain to family and friends that we would be going on a date in a different state than where we lived. In fact, Kim's mom gave Matt the nickname "flyboy" to describe the unique dating situation. Over the next six years, we grew closer and more committed despite only ever having been long-distance.

In February of 2019, Matt proposed. In keeping with the trend of our unusual story, we then had to navigate planning a wedding with an unexpected deployment to the Middle East. As if that was not enough, enter COVID. From a planned wedding to a Covid-canceled wedding, to a super small quarantine wedding, we got the job done. We have been married for over five years and are thriving.

The story of how we met and got to where we are now is filled with twists and turns. However, we would not change anything, as it has all helped us build a life of trust, communication, and joy. Our marriage is strong and committed because of the journey we have taken and are still taking together.

I was born and raised in Connecticut, where I stayed until I married Matt. My parents encouraged me to be involved in many different activities growing up, and that has become a part of who I am. Throughout my childhood and high school years, I was a member of the band where I played flute. I played a variety of sports growing up, including soccer, basketball, and tennis. I also enjoyed being on my high school mock trial team. Thanks to my college years, I now bleed blue and white with UConn pride - Go Huskies! I made lasting friendships with my freshman year dormmates and always enjoy being a student.

I am in year fifteen of my career in the education world, being a teacher and now an instructional coach. I have a passion for teaching both students and teachers. I strongly believe that the early years of a child's schooling are a critical opportunity to set up students for success in school and life afterwards. I love supporting school events and have learned a new sport in my role as an archery coach at school!

In my spare time, you are most likely to catch me with a cup of tea, listening to Broadway music while I do a puzzle. I enjoy attempting to garden (I don't think I can be considered an expert gardener), reading, and traveling. I love to eat and try different foods and restaurants. Matt and I enjoy playing pickleball or going for walks around our neighborhood. Matt often describes my interests as very

"wholesome", as I love to go to farmers' markets or check out a community event. I look forward to being with my family and friends whenever possible, especially at big gatherings or holidays. My favorite place to be is at the beach, and it is my dream to live in a home on the beach one day.

What I love about Kim

-Written by Matt

The things I love about Kim are so numerous that they are difficult to fit on a page. She is a natural beauty.

Within her is a deep honesty about who she is and what she enjoys in the world. She is naturally reserved yet confident in herself, which is a calming balance to my extroverted nature. We laugh together constantly and thrive on each other's unique quirks. Kim is a warm, wholesome spirit who lights up any room she enters. She is my excited companion for all of our travel & adventures, keeping me grounded while encouraging me in all things. Even when we have faced challenges, we never falter in our support & love for one another. When you are with the right person, even the tough times are easy.

I was born in New Jersey, where we spent the first 5 years of my life and where my younger sister was born. During my childhood, we moved several times as my parents' careers evolved. We spent time in Minnesota & Illinois before settling in Texas when I was 13. In Texas, I learned to love football and played it all through middle and high school.

Through most of school, I was a B student, but still participated in the Academic Decathlon and completed several advanced placement classes. It was in college that I found an interest in the military and joined ROTC. Upon graduation, I became a flyer in the US Air Force and have pursued that as my career since then. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in service and continue to do so.

Through my life, I have found that my motivation & intellectual curiosity are my strongest attributes. They are the parts of me that I derive the most pride from. I am excited by the prospect of sharing these experiences and my zest for life with a child.

What I love about Matt

-Written by Kim

When I met Matt, the first word that came to mind is

"charming". His charm absolutely caught my attention at first, but it is his loyalty and understanding that won me over and sustains me each day. I love Matt's sense of humor and work ethic.

He supports me in everything I do. One of my favorite things about our relationship is how well we communicate. Matt is my sounding board and my confidant. Matt is a social butterfly, always ready for any new adventure and always wanting to take me with him on every adventure. Not to mention, I think he is very handsome, which was confirmed on our honeymoon when he won the Mr. Macho 2023 contest!

Our home is a cozy spot that feels just right. It's the perfect size for us today, with plenty of room to grow as our family expands. We especially love that it's designed for connection-always ready to wrap our family and friends in comfort whenever they come to visit. We are so excited to turn our office into a nursery one day.

Our Neighborhood and Community

We are so fortunate to live in a family-oriented neighborhood in Louisiana. Only a 4-minute drive from the local elementary school where Kim works, there are always kids outside playing or families out walking their dogs. We love Christmas time when we serve as judges for our neighborhood Christmas lights competition. Our neighbors are so friendly and helpful. We try to attend community events when possible, such as Mardi Gras parades and farmers' markets. We also love going to socials and events on the Air Force base!

Travel isn't just a hobby for us; it's a vital part of who we are. With our long-distance relationship, and friends and families spread across two countries, we have learned that travel is a means to the next adventure. We've been fortunate enough to build a life full of incredible journeys. From the historic streets of London and the beautiful hills of Scotland to the vibrant culture of Mexico and the sun-soaked shores of Jamaica, we've only begun to explore the globe - and we've loved every mile of our road trips all over the U.S.

While our passports have plenty of stamps, we know the best adventure is still ahead. We fully intend to keep exploring, and we can't wait to see many places through a child's eyes. Whether it's a flight across an ocean or a weekend getaway a few states away, your child will grow up seeing the beauty and diversity of the world. We want to raise a child who is curious about different cultures, tastes new foods with excitement, and seeks out new adventures.

Kim: Christmas Eve is always spent with my mom's side of the family, anywhere from 40 to 50 people. We have an evolved version of the Italian feast of seven fishes on Christmas Eve. My favorite tradition is on December 23rd, we get together to peel and cook 20 pounds of shrimp in preparation for the next night. The running joke is, if you didn't peel it, you don't get to eat it! I look forward to shrimp peeling day every year.

Matt: My family has always gathered in large and small ways. On my mother's side, we do an annual family reunion that gathers all family members from Canada and the United States at a little coastal town in northern Washington State. We gather in the same town where all parts of the family trace back to my mother's parents, who first started traveling to that town on vacation before they had a family. On my father's side, Thanksgiving has always been the central family gathering event at my father's parents' home in Virginia. In both cases, it is a joyous and ruckus event filled with feasting and love.

Expanding our family is a dream we have given deep thought and intention. We often talk about how we love the excitement at every new thing a child experiences and the unfiltered joy they bring to all around them. While our path to parenthood is different from what we initially imagined, it hasn't changed our ultimate goal. We took the time to reflect and realized that the warmth and excitement we have to give aren't tied to biology; they are tied to the home we've built. Surrounded by the love of our large extended families, we are ready to offer a child a life of safety, confidence, and belonging. We know parenting is a journey of both sacrifices and victories, and we embrace it all with open arms and happy hearts.

... your child will grow up surrounded by the laughter and support of a large, loving family who are all waiting with open arms to welcome, protect, and cherish them.

... to prioritize your child's education, providing them with every resource, encouragement, and opportunity to follow their curiosity and reach their full potential.

... to show your child the beauty of the world, from small everyday wonders to big adventures, ensuring their life is filled with diverse and enriching experiences .

... to always speak of you with love and high regard, holding your place in their story with the utmost respect and staying true to every agreement we make together.

... we will intentionally honor and promote your child's unique identity and individuality, ensuring they always feel proud of who they are and where they come from.

Thank you again for taking the time to look through our profile and learn about our lives. We can only imagine the weight of the decisions you are making, and we want you to know how much we truly respect you and the path you are walking as you consider an adoption plan.

If we are chosen as parents, we promise to pour our hearts into giving your child a life defined by unconditional love, endless opportunities, and true fulfillment through wide-ranging experiences. Our greatest hope is to provide a home where they have the freedom to pursue their dreams and the knowledge that they are always cherished.

No matter what you decide, we wish you peace and strength on the journey ahead. Thank you for considering us to be part of your story.

WITH LOVE AND GRATITUDE,

Matt & Kim