We've been together for over 10 years. We met while studying business in graduate school. We kind of knew each other from class but didn't really get to know one another until we struck up a conversation while traveling on a plane. We became study partners and were just friends for several months until one night when Jaren asked me out.

After graduation, we both got jobs with the same company, changed states and moved into an apartment. We were in a new place where we didn't know many people, so we explored new experiences with each other and grew our life together. In 2015, Jaren proposed on a nighttime kayak trip to a bioluminescent bay while we were on vacation in the US Virgin Islands. We married a year later in Chicago, Illinois in front of our friends and family.

Over the last 7 years, we bought a home and built a beautiful life together with two careers, a playful pup, and a large community of family and friends. We love to spend time together traveling, enjoying nature, working out, gardening or cooking in our kitchen. During the pandemic when we couldn't travel internationally, we started taking road trips across the US to visit family and national parks. We look forward to what the future brings as we become parents.

I grew up in California with my parents, two brothers, and a house full of pets. Throughout my childhood, my parents both worked but they were always there for us and made sure that we sat down for dinner together every night. We have a tradition of going around the table and saying what we are grateful for before we eat. This was a comforting way to end the busy day and taught me to remember what is important in life.

I also had the opportunity to travel when I was young - mainly to Europe, Central America and around the West Coast of the USA. In high school and college, I studied abroad in England. Exposure to different perspectives influenced my view of the world and sparked my interest in learning more about other cultures. I've always had a thirst for learning and a diverse set of interests. I am very artistic and like to make things. My current crafty obsession is to knit and crochet toys for the kiddos in our lives - our niece and nephews. I also love to read and have books of all types stashed all over our house. I am a foodie and I love to cook for my family. It's a good thing that Jaren loves to eat! You can often find me in the kitchen testing a new recipe.

In college, I studied communication and fine arts with an interest in photography. I intended to go into the entertainment industry because of my love for animation and storytelling. During my first job after college, I became interested in human resources and went back to graduate school where I met Jaren.

I have always wanted to be a mom. I can't wait to shower my son or daughter with love and help them become the strong and authentic person they were meant to be.

As a kid, I had a great interest in travel and exploration. I loved watching Indiana Jones and Star Trek growing up (still do!) and had real life examples through my parents and grandparents as I learned about how they moved to the United States. I was inspired to do well in school so that I could take my own adventures when I grew up.

I've had a great career in the business world, but you can always find me trying to learn new things in my free time! If not brushing up on something for work (or planning our next family adventure), you mind find me researching how to fix things around the house, learning new cooking techniques, or finding new gear for our next hike, camp, or road trip outing.

The idea of being a father is so exciting to me. I can't wait to help our new child learn all that they can about the world and get them ready to take their own adventures!

You, of course, haven't met us - but as a couple, we promise to create a loving home for a child placed in our care. Our relationship has a strong foundation built upon our love for each other and for our family. We believe in being there for those we love every day.

Our families are very supportive of our intention to adopt and are excited to welcome another member of the family. Our baby will have a broad circle of people who come from different backgrounds and love each other in part because of their differences. Sometimes family are those related to you by blood and sometimes family are those you choose. If you choose us to raise your child, know that we will love your child unconditionally and he or she will never doubt our commitment. Our greatest joy will be seeing your child discover how to be his or her best self.

We look forward to developing a relationship with you that works for all of us. The best interest of your child will always be of utmost importance to us.

Thank you for taking some time to get to know us. We hope to have the opportunity to get to know you.