Hello.

Let us start by saying that we cannot even begin to imagine the difficult decision you have to make in the near future.  We truly admire the strength that it takes to consider adoption as an option for your child.  We know that this will not be an easy choice and we can only hope that you find peace in your decision.  Please know that if you choose us to parent, we will always hold a special place in our lives and hearts for you as we would like to pursue an open adoption. 

Our names are Jeff and Brie.  We are both 32 years old and  have been married for 7 years.  We were introduced to each other by a friend in May of 2001.  We started dating that summer and as they say “the rest is history.”  We were married on July 24, 2004 in a big, family wedding.  We live in Kansas where Brie is a university professor and Jeff is a fitness coordinator for a retirement community and a personal trainer. 

Choosing Adoption

A little over 2 years ago, we decided it was time to start trying to get pregnant.  Unfortunately, we found out that we would not be able to conceive a child.   While the news was sad, we knew that it was not the end of the story of how our family would be created, it was only the beginning.  We have always discussed adoption as a possible way to create our family.  Brie's family expanded through adoption when her parents adopted her little brother, Mike, 26 years ago.  Jeff's family has also been positively affected by adoption as he has cousins who joined the family through this amazing process. 

Our Life Together

We love living in a college town and try to take in everything that our community has to offer.  In any given week, you can find us cheering on the football team, attending a play, and everything in between.  We also enjoy spending time being active outdoors.  We are both avid runners and have completed several half-marathons.  During our years together, we have been fortunate to travel to many wonderful places and cannot wait to share similar experiences with our children.  Some of our favorite moments are ones spent close to home watching movies, playing games, and just enjoying our time together.

About Brie (by Jeff)

Brie has made the last 10 years of my life better than I could ever describe.  She makes me a better person and will be the perfect partner to raise a family with.  From the time I met Brie, I knew she was a very driven person and it was amazing to see her hard work and determination while earning her Ph.D.  Brie understands the importance of education, but also knows that it is necessary to get away from work and enjoy life.  While not working, she enjoys cooking, reading, and being active.  Brie is very caring and puts the needs of others before her own.  I look forward to Brie sharing her wisdom and love of life with our children. 

About Jeff (by Brie)

First and foremost, Jeff is my best friend.  I can honestly say that I love spending every day of my life with him.  He is a loving husband, loyal friend, and humble human being.  Jeff is an upbeat person that has a positive attitude about life.  He loves being physically active, whether its running, biking, hiking, or anything in between.  Children gravitate towards his easy-going, fun-loving personality.  Our nieces truly love their Uncle Jeff and I cannot wait to see him become a dad.  I know Jeff will love spending time with his children whether that means afternoon tea parties, tee-ball games, or weekend camping trips.  

Our Pets

We have two dogs in our home.  Our oldest dog, Peanut, is a Pomeranian-Terrier mix.  She is an energetic dog that loves to make new friends and play fetch.  Our second dog, Bernard or Bernie, is a Chihuahua-Terrier mix that we rescued from an animal shelter.  Bernie is a lap dog that loves to cuddle. 

Our Family

We both come from loving, stable families with three children.  Jeff's sister has three children (two girls and one boy) and another on the way.  Jeff's brother and his wife are expecting their first child (a girl).  We love spending time with our nieces and nephew and cannot wait to see our little one playing with their cousins.  Brie has a younger brother and sister that are eager to become an uncle and an aunt.  Jeff's parents have been married for over 35 years and Brie's parents had been married for over 30 years at the time of her mom's passing in 2007.  They have served as role models for our own marriage.  Both Jeff's parents and Brie's Dad are excited to welcome a grandchild into the family so that they can love, support, and spoil them.  We are extremely close to our families.  Family gatherings for holidays, birthdays, or just because are the norm in our families and we cannot wait to include a child in these traditions. 

Our Promise to You

We see the opportunity to parent a child as a gift that we will not take lightly.  We plan to instill important values in our child to help them navigate their own life.  Among these values are the importance of a good education and hard work, treating others how you wish to be treated, and seeing the value in diversity.  We will support our child's individuality by encouraging them to explore their own unique hobbies and talents.  Our own families have taught us the importance of teaching a child by example.  We promise to be good role models and love your child unconditionally.

Thank you for spending the time to get to know a little about us.  We will be thinking of you and wish you well.

Sincerely,

Jeff and Brie