In our leisure time, we enjoy a mix of active, creative, and relaxing activities, often centered around our love for nature, learning, and each other. We are big nature lovers, frequently hiking and walking with our two beloved dogs. Fitness is important to us, and we work out daily, incorporating weights, biking, and boxing.

We also have creative sides, enjoying hobbies like blade forging, wood carving, jewelry making, sewing, drawing, and baking— often making special treats for both us and our pups. Jill used to teach cake decorating and still loves trying new desserts. Listening to records, movies, and reading are other passions, and we embrace opportunities to learn new things.

Together, we have taken flamenco dance lessons and love celebrating special occasions, whether it's monthly anniversaries or festive holiday preparations. We also cherish travel, whether for vacations/work trips to many diverse countries (e.g., Peru, Spain, South Africa, Egypt, Italy, Japan, etc.), national parks in the U.S., or visiting family in Chicago, Wisconsin, or upstate New York. Our time together is deeply meaningful, and we prioritize quality moments, whether through shared hobbies, quiet evenings, or planned vacations.

Jill admires Ken for his calm, caring, and deeply thoughtful nature. Ken expresses love through action, providing stability and unwavering support. His intelligence, wit, creativity, and quiet strength make him a remarkable partner. He listens thoughtfully, is incredibly dedicated, and works tirelessly to ensure a solid foundation for our life together. Jill respects Ken’s ability to remain steady in any situation and appreciates how he complements her energetic, expressive, and passionate nature. His presence allows Jill to shine, knowing she is fully supported and cherished.

Ken values Jill’s boundless energy, intellectual curiosity, and warm, compassionate heart. He sees Jill as a bright light, full of resilience and determination. He admires her ability to balance logic and empathy, navigating challenges with thoughtfulness, wisdom, and kindness. Her enthusiasm for learning, strong work ethic, and perseverance have shaped her into an accomplished individual, who is equal parts compassionate and sweet. Both take pride in their ability to communicate openly and build strong relationships based on mutual respect and understanding.

Together, Jill and Ken create a dynamic and highly complementary partnership, each offering strengths that balance and uplift the other. We celebrate each other’s uniqueness and approach life as partners, grounded in love, trust, and shared values.

We believe that cultural diversity should be honored and celebrated in daily life, in a meaningful way. If our child comes from a different racial or cultural background, we are committed to ensuring they feel a deep sense of pride in their identity and roots.

Just as we have always sought knowledge in our careers and personal lives, we will take the same thoughtful approach in learning about our child's heritage. We will embrace their background by learning together through books, stories, music, documentaries, and cultural traditions. Representation will be a core part of our home, with books, toys, movies, and artwork reflecting their identity to ensure they feel seen and valued. We will also seek interactive experiences, like cooking traditional meals, language learning, and studying historical figures who reflect their heritage.

Beyond the home, we will actively seek opportunities to engage with their heritage, firsthand, through play dates, cultural groups, festivals, and mentorship. We will foster open conversations for them to explore their identity at their own pace and ask questions as they grow.

Honoring heritage also means blending traditions in a way that feels authentic. Alongside the family traditions we cherish, we will incorporate aspects of their culture. As they grow, we will support them in deciding which cultural elements they connect with most, empowering them to shape their own identity. Above all, we want to create an environment where they feel unconditionally loved and accepted, embrace their heritage, feel valued, and remain deeply connected to who they are.

Our home in is a warm and welcoming space, surrounded by nature's beauty and a strong sense of community. Located in a peaceful, scenic area, our home offers the perfect blend of tranquility and connection, providing a safe and nurturing environment for a child to grow. With plenty of outdoor space, we enjoy daily walks with our pups and the quiet moments spent hiking nearby trails and embracing the natural beauty around us. Being big nature lovers, we cherish the changing seasons and surprising things like bird watching (when our pups aren't sharing their enthusiasm!).

It is a charming town with a close-knit, friendly atmosphere where neighbors look out for one another and come together for things like farmers' markets and fall berry and pumpkin picking. We have neighbors with newborns and children, and all enjoy outdoor activities on our quiet street. The area is known for its excellent schools, outdoor activities, and history, making it an enriching environment for a child to explore and thrive.

Our home is filled with remembrances of the little moments that we have found special. Whether enjoying record night, baking/cooking together, playing games, decorating for holidays, or enjoying a quiet evening, we have created a space with meaningful memories.

Family is incredibly important to us, and we are lucky to have a supportive network of loved ones who are excited to welcome a child into our family. Our extended families are located in Chicago, Wisconsin, Virginia, and upstate New York. Though distance separates us, we make it a priority to stay connected through frequent visits, calls, and family traditions that bring us together.

One of our favorite traditions is spending summers at our family cottage in Wisconsin, where we enjoy nature, relax by the water, play games, and make lifelong memories.

Ken's family, including his aunts and cousins in upstate New York, are also a loving and supportive presence in our lives. His cousins have growing families of their own, and we look forward to creating wonderful family memories together as our family expands.

Our family is full of warmth, kindness, and a deep appreciation for supporting one another. They are thrilled about our adoption journey and can't wait to welcome a child with open arms. Whether through shared traditions, family vacations, or everyday acts of love, we know that our child will be surrounded by care, encouragement, and a strong sense of belonging.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read more about us. We cannot imagine the immense courage it takes to make your decision and the love that guides you through it. We admire and respect your strength as you consider this path for your child. We would be honored to be considered to provide a loving, joyful, stable and supportive life for your child.

We have been together for 13 years, married for 9, and feel so fortunate to have found each other. Early in our relationship, we grew together and focused on building a strong relationship to have a family together. Central to our lives are our two amazing pups, Hall (7) and Wyatt (6), who bring us joy, and our beloved Kaiinu, who was by our side for 16 wonderful years and even joined our wedding. We would be honored to have the opportunity to bring a child into our family and believe it is the greatest privilege to provide a stable, joyous, and love-filled home where they can grow and thrive.

If given the honor of raising your child, we would strive to ensure they always know how deeply they are loved -- both from us and you as their birth parent(s). It would be our priority to ensure they are supported emotionally, have strong and diverse educational opportunities and are supported in opportunities to dream big and pursue their unique passions in life.

We want to raise a child who feels assured in who they are, knows they are loved, and feels a sense of belonging, both within our family and in the world around them. Toward this, we understand the importance of open communication and a strong support network, both for the child and for ourselves as parents. We are committed to maintaining a connection with you, as the birth parents, in whatever way is comfortable for you and in line with the child's needs. If you wish, we are open to sharing updates, milestones, and memories via letters and pictures, while always respecting the boundaries that are set. This decision, as difficult as it must be, is one rooted in love, and it is important to us to honor the love and care you have for your child.

We also recognize the importance of maintaining the child's cultural identity and heritage. We are committed to fostering an environment where your child is proud of their roots and has the opportunity to explore and embrace the traditions and history that are an essential part of who they are. We will do everything in our power to make sure they grow up with a strong sense of self and the knowledge that they are loved, not just by us, but by you as well.

We cannot fully know what your hopes and dreams are for your child, but we can promise you that we approach parenthood with unwavering dedication, love, and understanding. We want to offer them a future where they feel valued, cared for, and able to embrace their unique potential and all the opportunities life has to offer. We will provide a home filled with joy, learning, and endless possibilities.

Thank you again for considering us as adoptive parents. We deeply respect and appreciate the gift you are giving, and hope our words reflect the sincerity of our commitment to your child's future.

Many thanks for your consideration,

Ken & Jill