We like to joke that our best memories begin with a simple plan and end somewhere totally unexpected. On one weekend getaway to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, we missed a turn and ended up miles off course with no cell service. Instead of getting frustrated, we pulled over, looked at each other, agreed that Nate shouldn’t be in charge of directions, and then we decided to see where the road would take us. What could have been an inconvenience quickly became a really great afternoon together.
That detour led us to a small town aptly named Paradise, and a local diner called The Inn. From the outside, it didn’t look like much, but the food turned out to be amazing. From there, we found our way to a unique local gift shop and winery, then a secluded waterfall, and we ended the evening with kayaking right as the sun was setting. Luckily, we also got some help with directions from the locals, and we made it to our AirBnB as the evening was wrapping up.
That experience reflects who we are as a couple. We trust one another, we’re both slow to anger and frustration, and we don’t take things too seriously. We know parenting will come with its own surprises and detours, and we are ready to face them together — supporting each other, staying flexible, and finding joy along the way.
We met in 2018 through an online dating app and formed an instant connection. After spending several months getting to know one another, we began officially dating in 2019, and our relationship deepened quickly. Built on strong communication and shared values, our partnership continued to grow, leading to our marriage in October 2024.
Our relationship is rooted in love, trust, mutual respect, and shared long-term goals. We complement one another well. Kevin is steady, patient, and dependable, while Nate brings spontaneity, warmth, and a sense of adventure. Together, we are grounded, hardworking, and intentional about building a life that is both stable and joyful.
A defining moment in our relationship occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Nate made the courageous decision to move away from his family in Michigan to support Kevin as he accepted a County Administrator position in Illinois. This experience strengthened our bond and reinforced our commitment to one another, demonstrating our ability to navigate change, uncertainty, and major life transitions as a team. We are excited to take this next step together and grow our family, grounded in the strong partnership we’ve built.
In our free time, we love being active outdoors and spending time with our friends and family. On the weekends, we enjoy hiking or biking at our local parks, walking our chocolate lab Apollo, and gardening or doing yardwork projects around the house.
We also spend a lot of time with both sides of our family – visiting Nate’s family in Grand Rapids or Kevin’s family in the Chicago suburbs.
Gender: A Boy or A Girl
Ethnicities: Any Race and Ethnicity
Age: Newborn to 18 months
Total of: 1 to 2 Children or 2 Siblings
We Live In: Kalamazoo
Our Faith: Christian
Pets: Dog(s)
Kids Already: No Children Now
Child Care Plan: Family Member Child Care  Stay-at-Home Parent Â
Family has always been very important to both of us. Nate’s family is in Grand Rapids, just a short drive away. We often see his parents, as well as 2 sisters, their husbands, and our 4 nieces – Paisley, Ember, Allie, and Maddie. Since there are so many young kids, gatherings on this side of the family are always lively and very high-energy, and we really treasure time spent with them.
Kevin’s side of the family lives in the Chicago suburbs, but we make sure to drive out and see them very often as well. We’re very close with his mom, grandma, brother, aunt, niece, and cousins. This side of the family is very close-knit and we always have a great time together playing games, cooking way more food than needed, and enjoying time with one another.
We also have a small group of close friends that we stay in touch with. Most of our friends already have kids of their own, so when we spend time with them, there are always plenty of little ones running around while the adults enjoy playing games and catching up.
We’re blessed to have very supportive friends and family who share our excitement as we look forward to growing our family.
We live in a quiet, suburban neighborhood in Galesburg, just outside of Kalamazoo. We moved into our current home in 2023, and we immediately fell in love with this community. It’s a very calm, family-friendly, diverse neighborhood full of kind and welcoming people.
Inside, our home feels lived-in and full of memories. We center our home around our kitchen and dining room area, where we cook together and enjoy meals with friends and family. We also have a spacious living room, nursery, and additional space in the basement for the child to have their own space as they grow.
Outside our home, we have a large fenced-in backyard with trees behind us, which helps keep our space private and peaceful while also being able to enjoy community with our neighbors.
We live near several parks, hiking trails, lakes, and even a zoo. Since we’re only about 20 minutes away from both Kalamazoo and Battle Creek, we have lots of options when it comes to local festivals and community events throughout the year.
We both value education very highly, and believe it holds incredible value and opportunity. Beyond grades and achievements, education is about gaining new perspectives, appreciating diverse viewpoints, and understanding the world around you. Interacting with peers also teaches important soft skills such as collaboration and hard work.
While we both value education, we had very different experiences in school: While Kevin thrived in a classroom setting, and eventually pursued a Masters and Doctoral degree, Nate struggled with ADHD and had to work hard to complete his Bachelors degree. However, we both worked very hard and we take equal pride in the outcomes we achieved.
We understand that education looks different for everyone, and that there are a variety of different routes available. We’d encourage our child to consider all options and find the one that’s right for them, and to always take pride in their decision.
As parents, we’ll be very hands-on and involved in our child’s education – We’ll help with homework, encourage them, and celebrate their hard work.
We view discipline as an opportunity to teach, guide, and build trust rather than to punish. Our approach centers on helping our child understand expectations, develop self-regulation skills, and feel safe and supported while learning from mistakes. We believe effective discipline is rooted in consistency, clear boundaries, and age-appropriate expectations, all delivered within a nurturing and respectful environment.
We prioritize patience, empathy, and connection when addressing challenging behavior. We believe in using calm communication, active listening, and natural or logical consequences to help a child understand how their actions affect themselves and others, while reinforcing that they are valued and loved unconditionally.
Ultimately, our goal with discipline is to help a child feel secure, respected, and capable of making positive choices over time. We aim to model emotional regulation, problem-solving, and accountability, recognizing that children learn as much from what they observe as from what they are told. By fostering mutual respect and open communication, we’ll support our child’s healthy emotional development and sense of belonging within our family.
We were both raised in Christian households, and we both continue to hold strong in our faith. We are connected to a local church that we attend occasionally. In our daily lives, we prioritize treating others with respect, kindness, and compassion. If our child was interested in exploring faith, we’ll support and encourage them in that journey.
Our goal is to create a warm and open environment for our child, and to foster kindness and compassion in how they treat others.
I spent the last 5 years of my career working from home as a Recruiter for ManpowerGroup International. My role is project-based, and my most recent project ended in November 2024 – Since then, I’ve taken some time off to focus on preparing our home for a child. After we become parents, I intend to pause my career and focus on raising our child and settling them into our family. Caring for our child will be my top priority, and I’ll return to my career once it makes sense for our household.
In my career with ManpowerGroup, I developed a deep passion about the work I do. Each day, I have the opportunity to guide people through some of the most significant transitions in their professional lives. It is incredibly gratifying to connect talented individuals with roles that align with their skills and aspirations, or to help them find new opportunities where they can truly thrive.
Kevin and I have discussed childcare plans quite a bit. Since I’m not currently working, I plan to focus on our child and care for them full-time. Once we’ve settled in and become comfortable as a household, I’ll likely return to work and begin using a combination of in-home childcare and family support to make sure our child’s needs continue to be met.
I am the County Administrator & Controller for Kalamazoo County Government.
I find this work deeply meaningful because it allows me to serve others and make a positive impact in the community. As a County Administrator/Controller, I help ensure that local government functions effectively for families, children, and individuals who rely on public services. The knowledge that my work contributes to improved outcomes and greater stability for others gives my career a strong sense of purpose.
One aspect of my work that I especially value is the opportunity to inspire young people, particularly young Black men and women. Serving in a leadership role at a relatively young age allows me to model what is possible through dedication, education, and a commitment to public service. I take pride in encouraging others to see leadership and service as meaningful ways to give back and create lasting change.
Through initiatives such as the County’s Transitional Family Housing Shelter, I’m able to connect directly with the community and witness the impact of compassion-driven work. These experiences reflect the values that guide both my professional and personal life — such as empathy, service, and responsibility. I look forward to modeling these values for my child.
My employer offers 12 weeks of paid parental leave. I plan to utilize the full leave period in order to focus entirely on bonding, caregiving, and supporting our child’s transition into our home. This dedicated time will allow me to be fully present during the early weeks, establish routines, and respond attentively to our child’s needs.
Following this initial leave period, I intend to remain actively involved in our child’s daily care and upbringing, working closely with Nate to ensure a balanced, supportive, and nurturing childcare plan. My employer provides flexibility and stability, allowing me to prioritize family while continuing to meet professional responsibilities. Creating a secure and loving environment for our child is the top priority.
I was born and raised in West Michigan, where my family has been for several generations. Our ethnic background is primarily Dutch, with some Scandinavian heritage as well. My 2 sisters and I grew up in rural Lowell township and went to school in Grand Rapids.
My family is pretty close-knit, and we see each other often. I have tons of positive childhood memories of family holidays, birthdays, and other celebrations, and we continue to come together as a family for these occasions. We enjoy playing card games, cooking meals together, and just spending quality time with one another.
My family’s roots are centered in Chicago, Illinois, with earlier generations connected to Indiana and New York. Although I was raised in Elgin, a nearby suburb, Chicago has always felt like home. My mother moved to Elgin for better educational and life opportunities, while ensuring we stayed closely connected to our family in Chicago.
Nearly every weekend, we spent time with my grandmother in downtown Chicago, enjoying Lake Michigan, Millennium Park, and the cultural richness of the city—experiences I hope to share with our child in the future.
I identify as African American, and my upbringing was shaped by Black heritage, resilience, and the value of hard work. I was raised primarily by my mother, who taught me the importance of perseverance, responsibility, and creating opportunities for the next generation—values that I hope to model and pass on through everyday life.
Family traditions remain an important way we create connection and belonging. Our family spends every Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve together, often sharing Chinese food on Christmas Eve.
Memorial Day is marked with a family barbecue, New Year’s Eve includes eating black-eyed peas for good luck, and birthdays are celebrated together, including honoring my late sister’s birthday with crab legs each year.
These traditions provide warmth, continuity, and a strong sense of family that I look forward to continuing and sharing with my child.
Hi there! Thanks for taking the time to learn about us – It’s an honor to be considered, and we’re very excited about this process!
Since we met in 2018, we both knew we’d eventually want to grow our family and bring children into the picture. At this stage in our lives, we both feel ready and equipped to take that next step, and we’re looking forward to providing a loving and warm environment for a child.
We also think it’s important that children understand and appreciate their heritage, and we’d love for them to have a connection to you. Whatever level or format that takes, our focus will be on respecting and supporting your involvement in the child’s life.
Our hope is for an adoption experience that feels grounded in trust, respect, and peace. We hope you feel seen, honored, and supported every step of the way, knowing that your voice, your story, and your hopes for your child truly matter. We hope this process is not something you walk through alone, but something we approach together with honesty, care, and shared commitment to what is best for the child.
We would want our ongoing relationship to be one built on openness, mutual respect, and genuine connection. We hope that you’d remain an important and welcomed presence in your child’s life in whatever ways feel healthy and meaningful to you. That could include sharing updates, photos, milestones, visits, or conversations—always guided by trust, clear communication, and your comfort level. We hope you feel confident that your child knows who you are, understands the love behind your decision, and grows up with a full sense of their story and identity.
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Our hope is for an adoption experience that feels grounded in trust, respect, and peace. We hope you feel seen, honored, and supported every step of the way, knowing that your voice, your story, and your hopes for your child truly matter. We hope this process is not something you walk through alone, but something we approach together with honesty, care, and shared commitment to what is best for the child.
We would want our ongoing relationship to be one built on openness, mutual respect, and genuine connection. We hope that you’d remain an important and welcomed presence in your child’s life in whatever ways feel healthy and meaningful to you. That could include sharing updates, photos, milestones, visits, or conversations—always guided by trust, clear communication, and your comfort level. We hope you feel confident that your child knows who you are, understands the love behind your decision, and grows up with a full sense of their story and identity.
Just one more thing...Our hope is for an adoption experience that feels grounded in trust, respect, and peace. We hope you feel seen, honored, and supported every step of the way, knowing that your voice, your story, and your hopes for your child truly matter. We hope this process is not something you walk through alone, but something we approach together with honesty, care, and shared commitment to what is best for the child.
We would want our ongoing relationship to be one built on openness, mutual respect, and genuine connection. We hope that you’d remain an important and welcomed presence in your child’s life in whatever ways feel healthy and meaningful to you. That could include sharing updates, photos, milestones, visits, or conversations—always guided by trust, clear communication, and your comfort level. We hope you feel confident that your child knows who you are, understands the love behind your decision, and grows up with a full sense of their story and identity.
