We both attended Purdue University, but our paths never connected while we attended college as we attended 4 years apart. However, when we were both young working professionals, we happened to live in the same apartment complex leading us to meet. It was our connection to Purdue and our mutual love for science that generated the first spark. After our first meeting, we would meet up to go for walks on the trails around the complex to get to know each other.

Jared asked Karen out for an official first date at a pizza place that had live jazz music. Afterwards, we went to see a movie, but when the movie finished we were not ready to say goodnight just yet. We later found ourselves at a Starbucks drinking coffee and talking until closing time. This was right before the Thanksgiving holiday, but Karen did not have the Friday after off of work. Feeling bad for Karen, Jared sent her flowers to cheer her up, and as they say, the rest is history.

We both grew up with dogs and cats around, and Jared also had livestock like cattle, sheep, and pigs to tend on the family farm. Karen loves animals so much that when she was a teenager she volunteered at the zoo. Jared also loves animals, and previously worked as a farm hand during high school and college for a local veterinarian.

When we starting getting serious as a couple, the first thing we did was adopt a little orange cat. He was our adventure cat who traveled with us on our move from Indiana to California. He walked on a leash outside, and loved taking road trips and taking overnight trips. When he passed away due to a medical issue it was very hard for Jared. We then adopted a kitten, and then another kitten a year after that. Those two cats we still have, and they are 9 and 10 years old. They bring so much love and joy to our lives.

When we moved from our Los Angeles apartment to Ventura, it was a must that the new place allow dogs. We got a puppy four months after we moved in, and she is now 3 years old. She is a border collie, just like Jared had growing up! She goes with us everywhere, the beach is one of our favorite spots to take her and we all splash along the waters edge. She is a great companion and friend who we both adore.

We love challenging ourselves by learning new things. About a year ago we got into sailing, and we have had a blast learning all the lingo and sailing around the harbor and small adventures into the ocean. We will continue this hobby and cannot wait to share that! Jared is a musician and loves to play guitar and ukulele. In his spare time he also likes to design and build guitar effect pedals and amplifiers. Karen is also a music fan and loves to go out live concerts. Music is a huge part of our lives and will continue to be so.

We also love to spend time together, we go for walks often with our dog for exercise and to explore our area. There is a lot that can be missed if one just drives around. We also love exploring new places, and in the past few years have been to 6 different countries on vacation. That is something we will continue and encourage. As Mark Twain famously said "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.

There is a four person card game called Euchre (popular in Indiana) that our families love to play. There are two teams, and it is a trick taking game similar to hearts. It gets competitive, but it is also a lot of fun.

While we live a four hour flight away from our parents and siblings, this is a must play every time we get together with our families! We both grew up with a family dinner every night, and do the same in our house.

Sharing a meal, and talking about your day is a great way to relax, learn, and connect whether it is just the two of us or with a group of friends. Karen's family always took road trips growing up, her parents and three older brothers would all pile into the family van and take off for somewhere in the USA. Jared's family was always going to cattle shows and traveling all over the mid-west. That adventure spirit carried over, and now we love to go camping and travel as a couple. Our friends and family are so excited for us to have a child and to be a part of our continued life together.

Living in a beach community in southern California is a great place for families! Every year there is the "push 'em pull 'em" parade on the Fourth of July where all the kids in the community decorate their bikes, wagons, scooters, etc. and parade around town. There are also many other activities in our community like the St. Patrick's Day parade, the weekly farmer's market, and the county fair which are great for kids. We live in a town home with ocean view and great breezes. It is about a 10 minute walk to the beach and a 15 minute walk to the downtown area. The west facing balcony is our favorite hang out (and nap!) spot in the summer. We, along with our two cats and dog, all pile up on the big sectional outdoor couch and enjoy the sunshine, ocean views, and cool breeze. Our place is between an elementary school and middle school, as well as a park, so it is a great neighborhood for kids.

As we sit here and write this letter to you there is so much we want to say. We want you to know that no matter what path you choose for your child, we are grateful you are working to determine and decide a future for them that you know will be the best.

We have been married for 14 years. When they say time flies, we can promise you it has! We love going and doing things together as a family, from traveling around the world to sitting at home watching a movie. Being a family is important, from the big to the small things, we have been there for each other over the years. From sleeping on hospital room floors when there was a health scare to making a cup of coffe just the way the other likes it, we have done it and will continue to do so. We have dinner together daily, and make time to "pretend it is the 90s" by stepping away from all the digital resources vying for our attention. We practice being present in the moment and just enjoy that concert, sunset, or walk without the distraction of digital pressures. Relationships that last take time, energy, love, and paitence. We have put that into our marriage for each other, and will do so in the future for all our family as it grows.

If we are chosen to be the adoptive parents, know that we will give it our all. We will provide a loving home filled with music, pets, dancing, games, baking, and all the wonderful things that make a house a home. There will be fresh baked Christams cookies, Saturday morning cartoons, playing with the pets, puzzles to be solved, and books to be read. While we know that we want life to always be great and wonderful all the time, that is not the way it goes. There will be challenges along the way, sometimes big and other times small. We will be able to draw on our wisdom, capabilities, and experiences to help guide, educate, and nurture them through it all. Learning how to get back up after life has thrown you a curve ball is an important lesson to learn and one we are well equipped to guide through.

While teaching them and guiding them through the world, we also know we will be learning along the way together. We will not have all the answers, but we will take each unknown as a way to learn and grow as a person and a family. Being open to learning and growing is very important, and it is something we will encourage every day. Having an inquisitive mind is something we both will always encourage! Throughout this journey, we will send letters and pictures to you. That way you can see and know that they are loved, safe, and growing in an environment that will enrich, cherish, and teach them to be a kind, strong, and happy person. That is our promise and our commitment to you should we be chosen.

Jared & Karen