We first met years ago at a Halloween party through mutual friends, but the timing just wasn’t right. Phil had asked about me a few times, but I was in a relationship. Fast forward a few years—same party, different costumes—and this time, the stars aligned. Phil finally got up the nerve (I say “nerve,” she says, “I was finally single!”) to make his move, and from that moment on, everything changed.
Not long after we started dating, the world shut down due to COVID. Suddenly, we were spending every moment together—just the two of us—and we quickly realized something special was happening. If we could thrive in lockdown, we could thrive in anything. We both love to travel and camp, and one of our most meaningful trips was to North Carolina to spread some of my dad’s ashes at a location tied to our favorite movie.
On the way home, Phil insisted we hike one last trail. It was in an area known for elk, which held a special connection to my dad and me. While we were hiking, Phil asked another couple to take our photo—and as they did, he got down on one knee. I was so surprised, I put the ring on the wrong finger! Oh, and did I mention? He proposed on Halloween!
We were married in June of 2022, and life since then has been full of adventure. We’ve renovated our home, taken two unforgettable trips to Europe, camped up north as often as we can, and built a life we truly love—complete with our three amazing dogs.
Our time together has been filled with so many beautiful moments—and some deeply challenging ones. Shortly after we were married, we began trying to grow our family. But the universe had other plans for us.
We started IVF, and to our joy, our very first cycle worked—we were pregnant with a baby girl. But that joy was short-lived, and we lost her soon after. It was heartbreaking. From that moment on, we faced a series of emotional highs and lows. After a year of IVF, we became pregnant naturally, and it felt like a miracle—like everything was finally falling into place.
But again, the universe had a different plan. At our first ultrasound, we learned that while our baby was strong and healthy, they were growing in the wrong place. It was an ectopic pregnancy. What followed was a surgery that unknowingly punctured Alysha’s bowel, leading to a second, life-saving surgery and a long recovery.
Despite everything, we never lost our spirit. We smiled through the pain, leaned on each other, and held tightly to our faith. That’s who we are—strong, kind, and full of hope. Throughout that experience, we were surrounded by incredible medical staff. Nurses and assistants told us they loved working with us, and we appreciated the extra support they offered. We believe good things are coming, and we know in our hearts that the child meant for us will find their way home. We feel incredibly blessed to have each other, our families, and now, we’re ready to welcome a new little soul into our world.
We love spending time together in simple, meaningful ways. One of our favorite things to do is walk to our cozy little downtown area for coffee. We sit by the water, watch the birds, and just enjoy the peace and quiet. On clear nights, we love to find a quiet spot and watch the full moon—it’s become one of our little traditions.
We’re big fans of the outdoors—hiking, biking, and walking our pups are regular parts of our routine. Whenever we get the chance, we head up north to Phil’s family’s cabin, especially in the fall when the colors are breathtaking. Phil loves to swim, while I prefer to float with a good book in hand. Reading is a big part of our lives—we even have a family book club!
Travel is something we cherish, but more than anything, we love being surrounded by friends and family. Watching Lions games together has become a beloved tradition, full of cheering, snacks, and laughter. Phil enjoys working on home projects and fixing things up, while I love decorating and making our space feel warm and welcoming—especially around Halloween, my favorite time of year!
I’m always on the lookout for fun, cozy, and spooky touches to make our home magical. Phil also took up coaching football this year for his youngest nephews (4th grade) youth football team. It has been something that he enjoys so much, he is already signed up to coach next year. We’re happiest outside in nature, but we’ll never say no to a chilly night in, cuddled up with our three fur babies. Our life is full of love, laughter, and little adventures—and we can’t wait to share it all with a child.
Gender: Any Gender, including an Ambiguous or Transitioning Gender Child
Ethnicities: Any Race and Ethnicity
Age: Newborn to 3 Years Old
Total of: 1 to 3 Children or 3 Siblings
We Live In: Detroit Metro
Our Faith: Open to All Religions
Pets: Dog(s)
Kids Already: No Children Now
Child Care Plan: Family Member Child Care
We feel incredibly lucky to be surrounded by such a strong, loving community of friends and family. Both of us have friendships that go all the way back to elementary school, and we often say how truly blessed we are to have so many people in our lives who feel like family. We celebrate birthdays together, host holiday parties, and rotate dinners at each other’s homes—it’s a constant flow of connection, laughter, and support.
Family is everything to us. We spend weekends with Alysha’s mom every month and make regular trips to visit her sister’s family (nieces, nephews, and in-laws :) ) in Canada every couple of months. Phil’s family is just as close—we have dinners and lunches with them every other week, and watching Lions games together has become one of our favorite traditions.
We’re also lucky to have strong relationships with our cousins, seeing them every month or so. One of our most cherished traditions is the annual Family Olympics with Phil’s side—it’s one of the most fun weekends of the year, filled with games, laughter, and unforgettable memories. On Alysha’s side, we rent a cottage every year to bring everyone together. This year was extra special—we celebrated Alysha’s grandmother’s 100th birthday!
We’ve said it before, and we’ll keep saying it: we are so lucky. Our lives are filled with love, and we’re surrounded by people who lift us up. We can’t wait to welcome a child into this beautiful circle and give them the same sense of belonging, joy, and unconditional love.
We absolutely love our home and the neighborhood we’re part of. It’s clean, cozy, and full of charm. We live in Wyandotte, a town that always has something fun going on—seasonal festivals, themed gatherings, and community events that bring people together. It’s the kind of place where neighbors wave hello, kids ride bikes down the sidewalk, and families gather to enjoy the little things.
Phil has poured so much love into our home already—he’s built a beautiful new kitchen, bathroom, and office space. We’re planning to finish our second bathroom by spring and then take some time to simply enjoy the fruits of our hard work. It’s a space that feels warm, welcoming, and ready to grow with our family.
Our long-term dream is to find a piece of land where we can build a life surrounded by nature. Alysha grew up on 15 acres with animals, and we’d love to give our future children that same experience—space to run, explore, and connect with the outdoors. In a few years, we’ll start looking for the perfect spot to build or ideally renovate an old farm home, but we won’t be going far. Staying close to friends and family is incredibly important to us, and we want our child to grow up with that same strong sense of community.
We’re big believers in the power of education and see learning as a lifelong journey. That said, we’ll be the first to admit—we weren’t exactly straight-A students growing up! Traditional classroom learning doesn’t work for everyone, and we truly respect that. What matters most to us is the spirit of learning: growing through mistakes, learning from others, and gaining wisdom through hands-on experience.
We believe education comes in many forms, and there’s no single “right” path. Whether you’re studying in a classroom from grade school to university, or mastering a skilled trade through apprenticeship, it’s all valuable. What really matters is finding something you love, something that excites you—and then learning how to do it to the best of your ability.
Education isn’t just about books and tests—it’s about curiosity, growth, and discovering your potential. And we’re here to support that journey, wherever it leads.
Both of us were, by all accounts, pretty well-behaved kids—and we credit that to the way our parents approached discipline. Interestingly, both of our families had very similar styles: firm but fair, rooted in love, and always focused on teaching rather than punishing. That’s the kind of parenting we hope to emulate.
We know kids will make mistakes (sometimes wild ones!), and that’s okay. Our job as parents is to guide them through those moments—helping them understand what went wrong, how their actions affect others, and what they can do differently next time. We genuinely believe that making mistakes is one of the best ways to learn and grow.
What matters most to us is instilling strong values: treating others with respect, showing kindness and empathy, and trusting their moral compass. We want our kids to feel confident standing up for what’s right—even when it’s hard—and to be the kind of people who lift others up.
At the end of the day, our approach to discipline will be rooted in conversations, life lessons, and yes, the occasional grounding. But always with the goal of helping our kids become thoughtful, compassionate, and resilient individuals.
We both believe in a higher power and feel deeply connected to something greater than ourselves. While we don’t attend church every week, we truly value the time we spend there when we do. Our faith is something we talk about often—whether it’s through conversations about God, the universe, or the purpose behind life’s journey.
We strive every day to live with kindness, integrity, and compassion. We believe in doing the right thing, being good humans, and trusting that everything happens for a reason. Our faith has carried us through some of life’s hardest moments, and it continues to be a source of strength, hope, and gratitude.
We wouldn’t describe ourselves as overly religious, but we do have a deep sense of faith. It’s woven into how we live, how we love, and how we see the world. We know we’re truly blessed, and we’re excited to raise a child with those same values—rooted in love, purpose, and a belief that they are here for something beautiful.
I love helping customers. I pride myself on trying to put myself in other’s shoes and make their day or experience just a little better after working with me.
I am very lucky to work for a company that offers time off for adoption. Our plan is to take all the time off my employer offers (24 weeks) and then my mother-in-law and sister-in-law will assist on days we need them for the first six months.
Phil also gets time off which we will utilize as well (8 weeks). After six months we have cousins who own a daycare near us which we plan to utilize. They have three young children, and we are super excited to have our kids grow up going to day care together. Lastly, I work from home and so does Phil most days so we can keep babe home when needed as well.
I work for a global chemical company that supplies paint to the automotive industry—and it’s pretty amazing to know that about one-third of the cars and trucks on the road today are coated with materials my team helps produce! My role is global, which means I get to collaborate with incredible people from all over the world, each bringing their own unique perspectives, cultures, and stories. That’s one of the things I love most—being part of a truly international community.
I’ve been fortunate to travel several times a year for work, and it’s taken me to some incredible places like the Netherlands, Germany, France, Turkey, and Montevideo, Uruguay. Even better, Alysha and I have turned some of those trips into unforgettable vacations. She’s flown out to meet me after work trips, and together we’ve explored Italy, Scotland, and Amsterdam—experiences we’ll always treasure.
This job has not only expanded my professional horizons but also enriched my personal life in ways I never expected. It’s a privilege to do meaningful work while building friendships across the globe and sharing adventures with Alysha along the way.
I feel incredibly fortunate to work for a company that truly values work-life balance. The benefits are excellent, and as the primary breadwinner in our family, I’m committed to continuing full-time work to support us. One of my biggest hopes is to reach a point where Alysha can stay home with the family, creating the kind of warm, present environment we both cherish.
That said, I would never sacrifice my family or personal relationships for a job. I give my all during the workday—from 9 to 5—so I can fully enjoy evenings and weekends with the people who matter most. I had amazing role models in my parents, who always made it a priority to be present and unplug from work when the day was done. Their example taught me that success isn’t just about career achievements—it’s about showing up for your family, being there, and making memories together.
I come from a loving family with deep roots- proud Texans on my mother’s side and true Michiganders on my father’s side. We’re a tight-knit bunch who genuinely enjoy each other’s company and always show up with love and support. My father was a blend of Irish and English, while my mother is first generation Mexican American, bringing rich culture into our lives.
I grew up in a small town near Lansing, where country living gave us the freedom to explore and connect with nature. Some of my fondest memories are wandering through the woods with my dad and learning the art of making tamales with my mom.
One of our favorite traditions is getting together for Christmas and Thanksgiving. We often rent out a cabin for the whole family to get together for a weekend of overeating and family game nights. (I am a Yahtzee legend.) I’m the youngest of seven, and I feel incredibly lucky to have grown up with amazing siblings who paved the way for me.
Both of my parents were born and raised in southeastern Michigan, and their roots run deep in this region. On my mom’s side, our heritage stretches from Canada to Alabama, with a rich mix of French Canadian, Irish, and Welsh influences.
My dad’s background is a bit of a mystery—he was adopted as an infant—but he was raised in a warm, loving home that shaped him into the incredible person he became.
My childhood was filled with joy and unforgettable memories. I grew up in the suburbs of metro Detroit alongside my older sister, and our home was always buzzing with laughter, weekend barbecues, and holiday gatherings with our extended family. I’ve always had a close bond with my cousins, aunts, and uncles—they’re more than family, they’re lifelong friends.
One of our most cherished traditions is heading up north to my grandpa’s cabin on the lake. It’s a cozy three-bedroom spot tucked away in the middle of nowhere, and once a year, it transforms into a hub of family fun. We pack in 30+ people with tents and campers, all coming together for our legendary Family Olympics. We play wild games, go on scavenger hunts, and haunted walks through the woods at night.
I feel incredibly blessed to be part of such a wonderful family. Their love and support mean the world to me and to Alysha, and they continue to be a huge part of our lives.
Before anything else, we want to say how deeply we admire your strength. We’ve talked about this moment so many times, and we can’t begin to imagine how difficult this decision must be. What you’re doing is nothing short of courageous, and we are in awe of the love you have for your child—a love that is selfless, powerful, and unconditional.
Thank you. Because of adoption, we have the chance to begin the family we’ve dreamed of for so long. We’ve experienced loss and heartache on our journey, but we’ve always held onto hope—believing that our child would come to us exactly when they were meant to, and through the path that was meant to be. Sometimes we catch ourselves wondering if our baby is already out there, just waiting to find their way home. And now, that hope feels real.
Please know this: we will love our future child with everything we have. They will grow up surrounded by warmth, laughter, and unwavering support. And they will always know where they came from. Their first family will forever be a part of their story, and we will make sure they understand how deeply loved they are—not just by us, but by you and your family as well.
We believe every child’s story is sacred, and your child’s is the beginning of something truly beautiful. We could write pages about how grateful we are for adoption. We are so excited to begin this journey, and to help build a life full of joy, meaning, and endless possibility for a little one.
We are so honored and excited to begin this journey. While we don’t yet know exactly what our relationship will look like, we want you to know that our hearts are open. Whether it’s sharing photos, having occasional calls, or building a deeper connection over time—we’re here to learn together and find what feels right for everyone.
Our greatest hope is to raise a child who knows where they came from, who understands their story, and who grows up surrounded by love—from us, from you, and from the community that surrounds them. Whether you choose to be a steady presence or a quiet cheerleader from afar, we will always honor your role in their life.
We’re committed to open and respectful communication, and we’ll follow your lead—whether that means staying in touch often or keeping things more private. Whatever feels best for you, we’ll do our very best to support it.
We wouldn’t be here without you, and neither would this precious child. They will always know how deeply loved they are—by you, by us, and by everyone who walks alongside them in life. Thank you for considering us. We are ready to walk this path with you, with compassion, respect, and endless gratitude.
We are so honored and excited to begin this journey. While we don’t yet know exactly what our relationship will look like, we want you to know that our hearts are open. Whether it’s sharing photos, having occasional calls, or building a deeper connection over time—we’re here to learn together and find what feels right for everyone.
Our greatest hope is to raise a child who knows where they came from, who understands their story, and who grows up surrounded by love—from us, from you, and from the community that surrounds them. Whether you choose to be a steady presence or a quiet cheerleader from afar, we will always honor your role in their life.
We’re committed to open and respectful communication, and we’ll follow your lead—whether that means staying in touch often or keeping things more private. Whatever feels best for you, we’ll do our very best to support it.
We wouldn’t be here without you, and neither would this precious child. They will always know how deeply loved they are—by you, by us, and by everyone who walks alongside them in life. Thank you for considering us. We are ready to walk this path with you, with compassion, respect, and endless gratitude.
Just one more thing...We are so honored and excited to begin this journey. While we don’t yet know exactly what our relationship will look like, we want you to know that our hearts are open. Whether it’s sharing photos, having occasional calls, or building a deeper connection over time—we’re here to learn together and find what feels right for everyone.
Our greatest hope is to raise a child who knows where they came from, who understands their story, and who grows up surrounded by love—from us, from you, and from the community that surrounds them. Whether you choose to be a steady presence or a quiet cheerleader from afar, we will always honor your role in their life.
We’re committed to open and respectful communication, and we’ll follow your lead—whether that means staying in touch often or keeping things more private. Whatever feels best for you, we’ll do our very best to support it.
We wouldn’t be here without you, and neither would this precious child. They will always know how deeply loved they are—by you, by us, and by everyone who walks alongside them in life. Thank you for considering us. We are ready to walk this path with you, with compassion, respect, and endless gratitude.
