“Are we in Ohio yet?” We’d just begun a lengthy two-day trek from Michigan to a nationwide John Deere show in Grand Island, Nebraska. As we’d only been dating for a year at this point, this was the first real road trip we were taking. Actually, it wasn’t just us. We had two trucks, trailers, two large dogs, four tractors, and Alex’s parents along for the ride. We were a sight to behold! Anyways, I (Emily) had taken my usual spot as “Passenger Princess,” complete with a pillow, fuzzy blanket, and plenty of snacks.
When this crazy train rolled out before the sun was peaking up over the horizon, I promptly fell asleep. After a few hours, I sleepily sat up and asked, “Are we in Ohio yet?” This was met with plenty of laughter from Alex since he had no idea how directionally challenged his passenger princess was! For the record, we didn’t even touch Ohio.
This phrase has lived on as an important part of every adventure since and is used as a reminder of how far we’ve come. Throughout our relationship, we’ve had many moments where we leaned on each other for courage, love, and laughter. We each have our strengths and play important roles in every journey we take together. For instance, I will always let Alex navigate and I’ll take care of the snacks! One thing is for sure, we’ve been across this country and back again, but we’re happy wherever we are as long as we’re together!
We met in 2018 through an online dating site, an experience that quickly turned into a life changing journey. Our first date was filled with much laughter and a fast-growing connection over a chocolate chip skillet cookie. By our second date, we had already discussed children and future plans to adopt. Needless to say, it didn’t take long for us to realize that we shared common values and dreams. From there, our relationship grew rapidly as we spent more time together, navigating life’s adventures.
Our dates ranged from spontaneous trips to tractor graveyards, hunting for antique parts, to enjoying Marvel movies on the couch. Engagement came swiftly in 2019 with an extravagant box of chocolates and an enthusiastic YES! 2020 brought our first true test with the cancellation of our wedding due to COVID. In a time when the world seemed quite uncertain, we chose to be together through it all. We changed location, moved our wedding to a much earlier date, and swiftly gathered our immediate families.
We exchanged vows on the front steps of our family home, an example of our commitment to one another, no matter the circumstances. In 2022, we welcomed our greatest blessing, our son Owen. Now, our days are filled with new, toddler friendly adventures that allow us to strengthen the connection we felt in the beginning through the love that we share for our son. Our love story is built on a foundation of trust, respect, and unwavering support that has endured through it all.
Our family’s relaxation looks more like constant, toddler friendly play! For instance, during the summer months we must visit the zoo at least once a week. Our son, Owen, absolutely loves to learn about the animals there and can already make most of the sounds that he hears! When not at the zoo, we play at one of the many local parks or explore the nearby nature preserve. Going for walks or short hikes in nature is something that we enjoy both locally and when we travel. In fact, Owen spent a portion of his first family vacation hiking along a beautiful Tennessee hillside. Our families are also a very important part of our free time. We visit each set of grandparents weekly, and they take part in many of our outdoor adventures.
As for hobbies, we are very involved in an antique tractor club that hosts several events throughout most of the year. We volunteer much of our time at the tractor pulls, annual show, and harvests. Owen shares in our interest by enthusiastically pointing out every tractor, combine, or harvester that he sees. He can’t wait for the next harvest so he can have a much-anticipated combine ride through the corn fields! Our love of antiques also relates to cars. We enjoy visiting a local car museum and take part in their weekly drive-in events complete with live music, good food, and plenty of interesting exhibits to take in. Any adventure together is worth taking!
Gender: A Boy or A Girl
Ethnicities: Any Race and Ethnicity
Age: Newborn to 18 months
Total of: 1 to 2 Children
We Live In: Hastings
Our Faith: Christian
Pets: No Pets
Kids Already: One Child Now
Child Care Plan: Licensed Child Care Home Â
We are close with both sides of our family and see them as often as possible. Emily is the oldest of three sisters and has one brother-in-law on her side. Alex has one older sister. Our parents’ lasting marriages have set a precedent for healthy relationships within our families. Both incredibly supportive sets of grandparents are consistently involved in Owen’s childhood. When we aren’t with them, we communicate frequently through texts, phone calls, and FaceTime.
Our family group chats are packed with shared photos, jokes, and daily updates. Games, laughter, and amazing food are traditional parts of every family gathering. Emily’s family are diehard Ohio State Football fans and follow the games closely in the fall. Alex’s family joins in on the tractor events and help us foster the love of tractors in Owen’s life as well. Although they are different, we feel just as close with both sides!
Our friend circle is small, but we are quite close. Within this circle, there are numerous children around the same ages as our Owen. Being close with other parents as we navigate each new stage together offers plenty of support. Whether it be through advice or simply a listening ear. Our friends join us on adventures to the zoo, meet up at birthday parties, and frequently eat out at local restaurants. No matter what we do, it is always full of fun, with a little bit of toddler chaos! We don’t get together often enough with our busy schedules but keep in touch as much as possible!
Our rural area has wonderful neighbors who we enjoy building relationships with. Even though it is a country neighborhood, it has that small town feeling. We share vegetables from home gardens, baked goods, and farm fresh eggs among households. Someone is always available to help when it is needed. Our home is one of the oldest in our neighborhood, dating back to the early 1900’s.
We have four acres full of barns to explore and space to play. We recently completed a beautiful bonfire and sitting area which has been a big hit among friends and family. Our next endeavor will include a child’s play space with a sandbox and swing set. Of course, new things are fun, but we love our home mostly due to the wonderful memories we share here. We plan to continue making lasting memories in this home in the future.
Every moment can be a learning moment! With Emily’s background as a teacher, we are constantly seeking out opportunities to learn. Currently, this looks like practicing our colors using sidewalk chalk, pointing out different wildflowers and insects on walks, or practicing animal sounds on car rides. We believe that fostering any young child’s natural interest in a variety of topics can offer them the best education there is.
In the future, our children will attend public school where Emily works to continue their learning in a more formal setting. We feel very strongly that our children should pursue a career or college following their high school graduation and will support them in any way possible.
Our parenting style supports age-appropriate consequences, with a strong focus on promoting positive behaviors. When a child is doing the right thing, they are provided praise and encouragement, so they repeat this behavior. For a toddler, this may look like a hug or applause. While an older child may be given more responsibility and trust through fun opportunities.
If a child does something wrong or unsafe, we redirect them lovingly and firmly. We use every behavior as an opportunity to learn!
Growing up, we both went to church. Alex attended Catholic mass with his family while Emily attended a small, Baptist style church for the entirety of her childhood. We each took time to explore our own paths in our faith which led us to the same beliefs in adulthood. In short, we believe that Jesus is the son of God. He came to earth to save us from our sins.
Through this belief, we find peace in knowing that heaven, and an everlasting life with God, is our future. Now, our family attends a large non-denominational church where we enjoy sermons in-person on weekends or virtually while we are traveling. To teach Owen about our faith, we pray as a family each night to thank God for the day. Reading stories out of his children’s bible and talking about God’s creation are other ways that we teach Owen about our faith.
Although I have worked as an engineer in some capacity for many years, I recently made the switch to the steel industry. It has opened my eyes to the excitement of metal manufacturing. My position allows me to work from home about half of the time, while I spend the other half traveling. While on the road, I meet various suppliers, visit plants, and network to create better processes for my company. I find great value in the opportunity to improve my company’s business strategies with my team. I am also grateful to work for a family-oriented company that allows some flexibility in my schedule so that I can home with my family when it counts!
I enjoy my current position and plan to work for this company for years to come. They value family and offer a short parental leave following the addition of a child to any family. I also will use some of my flexible work hours to work from home for a time after we add more children to love.
I am currently teaching special education and beginning my tenth year in a wonderful school. My favorite part of my job is the students. Each year, they enter my classroom from all kinds of backgrounds, with their unique needs and ideas. We laugh, play, and learn together for nine, lovely months. The best part? They teach me as much as I teach them. The lessons that stick with us the most are the ones that happen outside of the textbooks. When a student learns how to form lasting friendships or how to be kind to a classmate in need. Those are the brightest moments in my career!
I have a typical school day schedule and am in the classroom from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm. This leaves a nice, long evening that I can enjoy with my family. While I am teaching, our son goes to an in home daycare that is located less than a mile from the school. We absolutely love the daycare and woman who runs it. More importantly, so does our son! Bonus, I also have June, July, and most of August off for summer fun!
My family is deeply rooted in our American heritage and can be traced back to early colonial days. I even have an ancestor who signed the Declaration of Independence! I grew up in the Michigan countryside enjoying time on the family farm, riding four wheelers with my older sister, and raising cattle.
When I was ten, my dad decided it was a good idea to gain some mechanical skills. That is when we started collecting and restoring antique John Deere tractors. It is a special memory that still lives on as a large part of our family’s life today!
Since I am unsure of my heritage, I’m going to go out on a limb and say that I originate from Ohio State University (since this is where my parents first met). If you can get past the fact that I come from a family who passionately cheers for a football team whose mascot is a tree nut, you’ll see that we’re just your regular, everyday family.
My two younger sisters and I spent many childhood summers with cousins at grandma’s house. I think we all agree that grandma’s cinnamon rolls were the best and one of our favorite memories! Our time together was special because we enjoyed the little things. Something I hope to continue with my own children!
As we look to expand our family, we are filled with excitement and gratitude to you. The decision you have made may have come with many challenges and we would like to recognize your strength during this time.
Your gift of life will be the greatest gift anyone can provide. If chosen as your family, it will certainly be one of our biggest blessings!
Birth Family Panel: How to Establish Trust and Good Communication
You are the beginning to this child’s story. We want you to be known to our adopted child and part of their life. Our hope is that you would be as our extended family members are and be a physical part of this child’s life in whatever way you can. We’d share in social media updates, texts, calls, family events, or a simple visit to the zoo.
We also hope that you’d be a source of security. So that when the child has questions about where they came from or why their life went in this direction, we can work together to answer them. We hope that you will choose us as your family so we can continue writing this story together.
You are the beginning to this child’s story. We want you to be known to our adopted child and part of their life. Our hope is that you would be as our extended family members are and be a physical part of this child’s life in whatever way you can. We’d share in social media updates, texts, calls, family events, or a simple visit to the zoo.
We also hope that you’d be a source of security. So that when the child has questions about where they came from or why their life went in this direction, we can work together to answer them. We hope that you will choose us as your family so we can continue writing this story together.
Just one more thing...You are the beginning to this child’s story. We want you to be known to our adopted child and part of their life. Our hope is that you would be as our extended family members are and be a physical part of this child’s life in whatever way you can. We’d share in social media updates, texts, calls, family events, or a simple visit to the zoo.
We also hope that you’d be a source of security. So that when the child has questions about where they came from or why their life went in this direction, we can work together to answer them. We hope that you will choose us as your family so we can continue writing this story together.
