Ramon & Jessie
Ramon & Jessie
With one month until the wedding, our plans had to completely change. Ramon learned he would be leaving shortly after for a 2 month military training in California. Instead of finding an apartment in Michigan, our focus had to shift. After training, Ramon would receive orders to his next station. Receiving orders to a new station is stressful enough, let alone for a newlywed couple. Instead of panicking, we began planning.
Ramon got permission to drive there instead of fly. Jessie immediately began working on what stops they could plot along the way. Neither of us had ever crossed the Mississippi River. This would be not only a grand adventure but our first real test as a married couple with a 3,000-mile journey. How would we cope on our first solo journey together? Like Champions!
With only flip phones and a paper map, we discovered each other’s quirks and habits; some of which formed on that trip. We fell in love with the southwest, and to this day we have pictures, colors, and decor in our house inspired by the journey. Along the way, we saw towns that had more cattle than people, the Roswell UFO museum, trading posts, roadside attractions, and scenic overlooks.
We could’ve routed the most efficient distance; we could have flown and reduced this tale to a single sentence. What we truly got out of this trip was the lesson that sometimes you need to take the road less traveled.
Our Story
Technically we met online, but not through a dating app. Back in 2002, we were both on a message board for a favorite band of ours. It was a small, loyal following, and there were a dozen members that would talk every day.
It was an international group, but with Jessie in Grand Rapids and Ramon (along with another friend) in Indianapolis, we decided that was much too close to not meet in person when the band toured nearby in 2006. We had no romantic pretense going into it, but the moment we locked eyes, it was love at first sight.
Despite knowing right away, we dated long distance for four and a half years, seeing each other about once a month. After Ramon completed boot camp for the Coast Guard, he proposed in October 2010. We married on July 2nd, 2011 in Grand Rapids (with fireworks!).
After being married for less than half a year, Ramon got stationed on a cutter in Portsmouth, VA, and immediately left on a 3-month patrol. Our long-distance relationship prepared us for a long-distance marriage, but we found ways to connect while apart.
In 2017, Ramon separated from the USCG and we moved to be closer to Jessie’s family in Grand Rapids, where we plan to stay.
Our Relaxation & Fun
It doesn’t really matter what we do as long as we do it together. If we have an extended amount of time together, we love to take road trips – whether it’s to a new place we’ve never been, heading to Traverse City, or visiting our chosen families across the country.
If we just have a spare evening, we’ll head to a new brewery or restaurant in the area. Afterward, we’ll head home with a dessert and turn on Netflix to watch an old movie or episodes of the Office again.
We have a sacred, standing date every Saturday morning for breakfast at Chick-fil-A. We also love attending soccer games in other cities, and hockey games with friends. In the summer, you can find us swimming in our pool and grilling with friends and family.
our adoption hopes
Gender: Any Gender, including an Ambiguous or Transitioning Gender Child
Ethnicities: American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Caucasian, Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, Hispanic or Latino,
Age: Newborn to 3 Months
Total of: 1 child or Twins
a snapshot
of us
We Live In: Gaines Township
Our Faith: Catholic
Pets: Cat(s)
Kids Already: No Children Now
Child Care Plan: Family Member Child Care Licensed Child Care Home Stay-at-Home Parent
Our Family & Friends
Jessie’s family both extended and immediate are close by. We spend every weekend with Jessie’s parents, brother and sister-in-law, and our niece and nephew at Sunday dinner at Jessie’s parents’ house, or at our pool in the summer.
To quote a line from our favorite TV show, Ramon and Jessie believe that “Family don’t end with blood”. We have many friends throughout the country that we consider as family, and their children are our nieces and nephews. We travel to see them many times throughout the year to Indiana, South Carolina, and other states.
We travel to Indiana often to see Ramon’s family. Thanks to modern technology, even though we may not see each other as often as we like, we can still remain in close contact.
Our Home & Neighborhood
We were extremely blessed in the middle of the pandemic to have our dream home fall into our laps. Situated on 3 acres in Dutton, it’s a 3 story house with 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, pool with slide and diving board, large barn, playhouse with a slide and swings, creek, garden, and field. It is truly the perfect place to raise children. Jessie has dreams to fix up the sunroom and add a large multi level deck off the back of the house.
Our home is close enough to the city, while still being right next to the country. While we are not in a suburban neighborhood, we are surrounded by friendly neighbors. There is a park and trails within walking distance.
Education
While we both have college degrees, we understand that education comes in many forms, and we will encourage our child in whatever avenue serves them best.
We will encourage learning styles to give the child their best chance at being well-rounded. Starting at home and helping them explore the world around them, to nurturing their creative side, there is no pathway we won’t encourage the child to take.
We have plans to enroll our children into a nearby Spanish Immersion school program. This is important to us, especially since languages are best learned at a young age. We also have plans to continue this in our home, as Ramon is fluent in Spanish.
Correction & Discipline
Over the past years, we have observed our friends and family raise their young children. The most effective form that we have witnessed, is leading by example and using a firm but gentle tone. If the child starts to whine or yell, they can be calmly and gently corrected until the desired behavior is displayed. In any situation, it is best to keep a calm demeanor. We have seen this be immediately mirrored to diffuse many situations quickly.
While that is what our ideal desire is, we also understand that children have different learning and discipline needs. We are open and willing to explore avenues that are most effective to suit the child (barring, of course, physical punishment).
Our Faith Views
Jessie has been Catholic since birth, and it played a very important role throughout her life. Ramon was raised as Seventh Day Adventist but attended different churches that had Spanish services. He converted in 2011 before our wedding.
When it comes to our children, we will raise them in the Catholic faith, while teaching them to treat everyone, regardless of our differences, with kindness, compassion, and fairness. We experience blessings daily in our lives and will teach our children to explore their faith, even if it’s outside the church.
Ramon's Career
I currently work at a Toyota Dealership in the greater Grand Rapids area. I enjoy working in the automotive field and was always interested in cars from a young age. I work alongside a great group of advisors as well as technicians to help solve people’s problems and keep them safely on the road.
I was previously a Diesel Technician and am now a Service Writer/Assistant Service Manager. My lifelong interest and technical background allow me to be effective in my job and relay information to customers in an efficient and knowledgeable manner. I am blessed to work for a great dealership that genuinely cares for the employees and not just the profit margins.
I will take off time as allowed immediately following placement, and will continue to work full time to support the family.
Jessie's Career
I am a photographer specializing in couples and weddings. My couples are bright and bubbly, love to make each other laugh, and are so excited to get married. I love helping them have a fun and stress-free experience beyond just the day. It’s my goal to make them feel like they have a new friend at the wedding who happens to be photographing it.
I love what I do because I get to work with couples who are happiest when they’re together, and value the time they have with their friends and families. I give them memories to hold on to for the rest of their lives!
I am also currently an administrative assistant at a CPA firm. The hours for this job are flexible based on the tax season, and I have plans to reduce my hours here following placement.
The hours at my CPA firm are flexible, and I plan to greatly reduce the hours here. As a wedding photographer, my work is primarily on the weekends, so Ramon will be able to care for the child on those days.
For the one or two days a week where we are both at work, we have close family that will be able to care for the child.
Ramon
I am a first-generation American who grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana in a Mexican household. I grew up with both parents and two younger brothers. Both of my parents grew up in Mexico and emigrated in their twenties. Growing up my brothers and I spoke Spanish at home; our house was always a place where you could find authentic Mexican food, music, and novelas.
Growing up my parents did their best to embrace our culture as Americans while celebrating our cultural and ethnic heritage. To quote Abraham Quintanilla “We have to be more Mexican than the Mexicans and more American than the Americans, both at the same time! It’s exhausting!!” But more than exhausting it was great and I am truly grateful that I got the best of both worlds.
Jessie
Both sides of my family are primarily German. As a child, I spent a lot of time with my extended family, whether it was holiday get-togethers, birthdays, or playdates with my cousins. I grew up in the same house my parents still live in, with a large yard and a pool in the backyard.
We spent every weekend attending Mass followed by dinner out with my dad’s side of the family. Sitting in the backseat between my grandparents to and from dinners are some of my most cherished memories with them. It instilled in me early on the importance of faith and family.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about our family, but more importantly, thank you for choosing adoption. We know it is not an easy choice to make. We want you to rest assured that we are open and ready to give the child the best home possible, surrounded with love.
Ramon and I promise to work as a team to raise this child. We would be honored if you are a part of this team as well. Together, we look forward to helping this child grow with love, endless support, and happiness.
- Child Separation, Attachment, and Bonding
- Child Development, Including Safe Sleep Practices for Children
- Behavioral and Emotional Needs of Adoptive Children
- Impact of Adoption on the Family
We understand that knowing where they came from is important to the child, and having you in their life will enrich them in ways we can’t even imagine yet. We also understand this is a very difficult time in your life, and will honor your wishes if you need to evaluate your emotions.
We hope to stay connected through social media, texts, photos, and videos. Throughout the year, we’d love to see you at the child’s birthday party and at playdates at the park.
OUR COMFORT LEVEL WITH DIFFERENT ADOPTION OPTIONS
- Very Comfortable
- Mostly Comfortable
- Unsure
- A Bit Uneasy
- Not Comfortable
We understand that knowing where they came from is important to the child, and having you in their life will enrich them in ways we can’t even imagine yet. We also understand this is a very difficult time in your life, and will honor your wishes if you need to evaluate your emotions.
We hope to stay connected through social media, texts, photos, and videos. Throughout the year, we’d love to see you at the child’s birthday party and at playdates at the park.
Just one more thing...We understand that knowing where they came from is important to the child, and having you in their life will enrich them in ways we can’t even imagine yet. We also understand this is a very difficult time in your life, and will honor your wishes if you need to evaluate your emotions.
We hope to stay connected through social media, texts, photos, and videos. Throughout the year, we’d love to see you at the child’s birthday party and at playdates at the park.