Hi there, We’re Kate and Mike
...and we’re hoping to adopt!
Learn more about us by downloading and reading our adoption profile book.
First things first: This must be a lot, and we’re sending you all the good vibes as you make your way through pregnancy and the adoption process.
Even though we don't know you, we're in awe of the strength and courage it takes to do what you're doing, and we hope we can put your soul at ease by telling (and showing) you a bit about what your child's life with us might be like.
We don't have kids yet, but we've been trying for about four years. A heartbreaking infertility diagnosis led us to pivot to adoption, which was an easy decision, as we both come from close-knit families made up of biological and adoptive relatives, as well as friends who are as close as family. We had happy childhoods with parents we're still very close to, and we dream of being able to give our child that same kind of life. We know we have a lot of love to give.
OUR STORY
It's socially acceptable now to admit that we met online, right?!
Kate likes to say that we were introduced by our mutual friend, the Internet (specifically, OKCupid). We'd both recently moved back to Ohio from other states, so when we met up for our first date (eating tater tots at a dive bar), we bonded over our love of the Midwest, along with shared hobbies like writing, traveling, and what we like to call "adventuring." We were engaged within a year!
“We're excited to see what the next phase of life holds for us as we try to expand our family.”
MEET MIKE (WRITTEN BY KATE)
Mike is an introvert at heart, logical and rational with a deep love of learning about the world around him and the people in it.
Though he can be reserved when you first meet him, he's funny and outgoing with the people he loves. He values relationships above all else, evidenced by an incredible, tight-knit group of friends who have all been close since elementary school.
He's also the smartest and most interesting person I know, endlessly curious about almost everything. Mike regularly experiments with new hobbies, from woodworking to running to writing a sci-fi novel, and he dives deep into any topic that interests him. He reads dense autobiographies and historical nonfiction with the same ease and joy as when he's watching Star Wars or Ted Lasso.
And he's going to be the BEST dad. As our child grows up, I can't imagine better qualities in a parent than the commitment to (and genuine excitement about) learning, growing, and understanding that are at the core of Mike's personality and values.
MEET KATE (WRITTEN BY MIKE)
Kate is a chatty extrovert who loves meeting new people and talking to... well, everyone.
She's a world-class storyteller, not only as a writer but in all of life, and she truly thrives on opportunities to make meaningful connections with others.
Kate is also one of the kindest humans I've ever met, always thinking of her friends and family members in big ways and small. She's the first to call or to send a card or a gift, and she never forgets a birthday. She's also always interested in hearing other people's stories, no matter who they are, and she's somehow able to bond instantly with other people (even strangers!), which always leaves me in awe. She really makes you feel like your own story matters, and that's such a gift.
I know Kate is going to be a fantastic mom. No matter who our child becomes, she'll be there every step of the way — loving them, nurturing them, and supporting them to become their best self.
FUN FACTS
About Kate
Favorite hobbies are boxing and reading
Loves all things Halloween
Collects snowglobes from every city we visit
Dreams of becoming a YA fiction author
Has seen Jimmy Eat World in concert 8 times
Listens to way too many podcasts
Trying to learn Spanish
Most looks up to her mom
About Mike
Is a breakfast sandwich connoisseur
Favorite vacation spot is Rome, Italy
Recently taught himself to golf
Can't function without iced black coffee
Loves reading sci-fi and historical biographies
Lived in Egypt for two years
Always trying some new hobby
Knows every word of the musical "Hamilton"
OUR HOME
We live in a mid-sized Ohio city that we're admittedly a little bit obsessed with. Though we're technically in the suburbs, our neighborhood is very walkable, with coffee shops, restaurants, and lots of other locally owned shops nearby. And downtown is less than a 10-minute drive away.
We bought our 101-year-old house in early 2022, and we've been having fun making it feel like our forever-home. Mike loves building backyard bonfires, while Kate has started hanging colorful, slightly wacky wallpaper in nearly every room. We love hosting friends and family, whether they're visiting from out of town or just coming over for pizza on our back patio.
When we bought this house, we knew we wanted to be raise a child here. It has a huge finished attic that we're turning into a cozy den area, where we envision playing with our kid and watching movies. Kate's mom is teaching us to garden so that we can make good use of our giant backyard, which also has lots of space for a swing-set.
OUR LOVED ONES
Our families can't wait to welcome their first grandchild!
Kate is an only child, and her dad died when she was a kid, but she's super close to her mom. Joyce lives 45 minutes away, and we see her once a week, though she'll probably move closer once we become parents — which is lucky for us, because she's a retired children's librarian who's great with kids.
Mike's mom, Debbie, raised him by herself until he was 7, when she married Paul. We don't use the word "stepdad," though; he's just Mike's dad. We see them at least once a month, usually to go out to eat at interesting restaurants around the city. Mike's younger sister, Maggie, lives in Nashville but stays with us when she's in town. In her absence, we have a funny, active family text thread.
We're also close with our extended family, including aunts, uncles, and cousins (plus a handful who aren't blood relatives but who are absolutely our family). We have traditions with all of them, from holiday celebrations to beach vacations to an annual Scrabble tournament that Kate always wins.
IN CLOSING
Our goal is to give our child the kind of life our families gave us — not necessarily the wealthiest or the most privileged, but always built on love, mutual respect, kindness, and a sense of fun, adventure, and wonder. We have great relationships with our parents, and we want that for our kid, too — for them to grow up feeling loved, supported, and free to become the truest version of themselves.
We're also interested in an open adoption and being in touch with you to whatever extent you're comfortable with. We know that you have big decisions to make, and we're so grateful to you for considering us.
Whatever you decide on, we're rooting for you and sending you so much love throughout this process. You've got this!
DESIGNED WITH ❤️ BY OUR CHOSEN CHILD