Letters

Hi! We are Nate and Jess. First and foremost, we want to thank you! Thank you so much for taking the time to look at our profile and hear our story. We really appreciate you considering us as prospective parents. What a beautiful thing you are considering and how strong you must be!

The prospect of having a child in our life is a dream that we have hoped and prayed for for so long. All the hard work that we have put into preparing a home and life for a child, we are so excited to put to good use. There are so many...

We met in 2005 in Fort Wayne, Indiana and knew almost immediately that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. We were attending college, Nate at Butler University and Jess at California College of the Arts, nearly 2,250 miles apart. For over a year, we talked every day on the phone and our relationship grew stronger and stronger.

When Jess decided to “try out” living in the Midwest during her summer break, Nate was thrilled. We spent nearly every day together that summer and come fall, Nate decided to move to San Francisco with Jess. We lived together in...

With a quick wit and knowledge of so many random facts, Nate can always make me laugh. He has the kind of humor that makes strangers laugh at the grocery store. When with children, he quickly wins them over with a variety of silly “dad jokes.” Nate truly is an open book when it comes to meeting new people. He makes friends wherever he goes.

One of my favorite things about him is his mind. When it comes to history, old buildings and places, song lyrics, and tales of the people he has met over the years...

Jess is always there with a smile and laughter to bring joy to those around her. From day one, Jess has embraced and loved my family, especially my seven nieces and nephews. She has an uncanny ability and a fascinating magnetism when it comes to children. She is quick to teach new games, get her hands dirty with art projects, guide little hands in the garden, and to show the path of kindness and courtesy to impressionable young minds. Not only have I seen her love and guidance shape our nieces and nephews, but she has also changed the lives of countless children diagnosed with...

We live in a 125-year-old home in Northeast Indiana with a beautiful carved wood staircase, high ceilings, pocket doors, and creaky wood floors throughout. It is a two-story home with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a big walk-in attic, and a full basement. The staircase even has a small secret door at the bottom that leads to a child’s perfect hiding spot. It’s so magical!

The house came with a large carriage house in back that we lovingly refer to as “the old red barn.”...

Our neighborhood is diverse, eclectic, and full of good families. It is situated between the Maumee, Saint Joseph, and Saint Marys Rivers. Our street is lined with huge old maple, elm, and dogwood trees that in autumn, bring an explosion of warm and vibrant colors.

We have tons of parks, trails, public art installations, and murals all over the city. Evening walks and hikes are a regular thing for us, and we look forward to taking the little one with us. Downtown also has two amazing year-round farmer’s markets,...

We have four pets: Bella, Bodie, Mabel, and Ulysses (Uly).

The oldest of our animals is Mabel, a 13-year-old, female black and white tuxedo cat. She may have been the runt of the litter, but she is the boss of the house now. We rescued her from a dumpster in Oakland, California and she has been by our sides ever since.

Bella is our grey-faced, 10-year-old Catahoula Hound Dog. She is sweet as can be and serves as the household peacekeeper – often jumping between the cats if they get in a tiff....

Family is everything to us. We have lived in several places around the country, but no place truly feels like home without family nearby. Here in Indiana, we have a huge support system full of loving, caring family members.

Jess’ mom lives less than a mile away. We frequently get together for neighborhood walks and weekday dinners. She is absolutely thrilled and excited to be a grandmother! Jess and her mom share many hobbies such as going to the nail salon together, planting vegetable gardens in each other’s yards, and going on regular nature hikes...

Our Favorite Holiday Traditions

• Hosting friends and family at our annual 4^th of July for BBQ.
• Christmas beach time with Grandpa in Southern California.
• Decorating the house for Halloween and greeting the neighborhood trick-or-treaters with full-size candy bars.
• Looking for the perfect Christmas tree.
• Putting up the Christmas lights before anyone else on our street.
• Making holiday peanut butter bars,...

Fun Facts about Nate

1. I own my own historic preservation consulting business and love to help people find their dream old house as a realtor.

2. I opened a museum on Royal Street in New Orleans based on the city’s gas light and utility history.

3. I love to restore old cameras, typewriters, tools, appliances, and furniture.

4....

We want to thank you so much for taking the time to look at our profile, getting to know us, our family, our home, and how we live.

Please know that if you choose us as the adoptive family, we would strive to be the most loving and supportive parents that a son or daughter could ever have. We understand the enormous benefit of a child knowing their adoption story and where they came from, and plan to talk openly with this child about being adopted. We want to ensure that the child feels safe and secure as a...