Hello, we are Dan and Sarah! Thank you for reading our story and learning more about us as possible parents. 

We found each other online at a time when we both had work and family obligations and did not have much free time, yet we both decided to give online dating a try. After a week of communicating via the online app, we decided to meet as it was important for us to get to know each other in person. We met up for dinner and had a great conversation, which led to a few more dates before we decided to make it official. After dating for a year, Dan proposed! We found the perfect wedding venue, but unfortunately the next available date was a year and a half out. Luckily for us, a couple canceled at the last minute so we had an option to prepare for our wedding in just four months. We went for it! Everything fell into place and we were married in 2019.

Very early on in our relationship, we discussed the possibility of adoption as a way of growing our family. As a baby, Sarah’s mom (and her mom’s twin brother) was adopted, and this just felt right for us. After being married for a year we decided to try to grow our family. After three miscarriages we started to pursue the process of adoption. The week our home study was approved we discovered we were pregnant with twins, but unfortunately, the babies did not make it. After taking time to grieve these losses, we are excited to pick up where we left off on our adoption journey.

When I first met Dan, I noticed how he would ask questions, wait to hear my answer, then respond. He is inquisitive, always looking to how something works and how he can improve its function. That is exactly what he gets to do every day for work; his job fits him well!

When it comes to children, Dan is so patient. I remember when the neighbor kids would come over and ask him questions as he was working on one of his many projects in the garage. He would take the time to answer the questions, even when they were very repetitive. I can tell he enjoys sharing what he knows with others.

Dan is always willing to help. If his family or friends need help with a project, he is right there to help. When I have a project idea or an issue I need help resolving, he always has perfect ideas and helps make resolutions happen. 

I appreciate how he takes care of our two dogs, and our sheep, ducks, and chickens. He is always gentle and kind, and enjoys throwing toys around with or being the first to get a good snuggle in with our dogs. I am excited to see Dan become a dad. I imagine he will show a child so many wonderful technical skills, and will teach them to not be afraid of a challenge.

On first meeting Sarah, I noticed how calm and gentle she is. Somehow, she can project those feelings onto me because I immediately feel at peace around her. She likes to experience life and take in her surroundings rather than take a picture of it and move on like many people today. She was not consumed by having to have the newest trendiest things and she much prefers to craft, knit, and create. Her artsy side stands out and I relate to it easily. 

When we first started dating, we immediately found common ground with our love of animals. We both would walk our respective dogs every night down local trails – a nightly habit that we still enjoy. It was clear to me early on that she wanted a family as she has more love to give than any one person can handle. The longer we are together the more I just want to see her be happy and have everything she desires. I imagine that is what being a parent feels like, just trying to give a child everything and not thinking about yourself.

Despite everything we have been through, Sarah still has a positive outlook on life. I have found that to be a rare quality and I truly feel lucky to have her in my life.

We moved into our second house together in 2022. We moved from town to the countryside. We love the scenic views, and enjoy all that the country lifestyle has to offer. We have three chickens, two ducks, three sheep and two dogs and are looking forward to sharing this with a child. Being able to live where we can have animals is amazing. They are a lot of work, but the joyful experience from them makes it all worthwhile. Sarah enjoys tending to the prolific garden that was set up by the previous owners. 

Most evenings, we sit down for dinner and watch the neighbor’s horses galloping around the fields. We feel lucky that our home is set back off the main road on a private drive. Once or twice a year we take turns hosting community get-togethers with our neighbors. Since we have moved into our home, everyone has been so inviting and welcoming. 

We enjoy visiting all the local nature trails and taking our dogs for walks. Even though we are in the countryside, we are just a short drive from multiple towns, offering us the best of both worlds.

We grew up with similar backgrounds and religious beliefs, but in different areas. We attended Sunday church and had dinner every evening around the dining table. Dan grew up in a rural setting with family nearby, while Sarah grew up in the suburb of a big city with extended family living in another state.

Sarah moved to Michigan to be closer to her extended family. After retirement, Sarah’s parents moved here to be near us and other relatives. They live in a cabin built by Sarah’s grandfather, set back in the woods. The family enjoys frequent get-togethers. Dan’s family is primarily in Michigan and are all located in close proximity to each other. His brother and cousin live nearby, and they come over often. His parents live an hour away on a lake and routinely come to visit. 

Both of us grew up in loving families who constantly want to be involved in each other's lives. We enjoy holiday celebrations together and quiet evenings talking and reminiscing about good memories. Our families celebrate any new additions to the family, and everyone is so accepting and welcoming. They are looking forward to welcoming a new child into the family.

A few of the hobbies we enjoy together are hiking with the dogs down nature trails, spending time at the beach, going out on the water with the kayak and paddle board, and watching movies. We take a trip at least once a year to sight see. Some of our favorite trips were to West Virginia and the Michigan Upper Peninsula. We look forward to sharing these enriching experiences with a child.

Some of Dan’s favorite things to do are riding and working on jet skis. He enjoys doing home improvements like engineering and building our sheep hut and the chicken coop and run. Some of his other hobbies include building models and playing board games.

Sarah enjoys knitting, spinning, and dying yarn. When it is nice outside, she can be found in the garden or out on pasture with the sheep. She enjoys collecting chicken eggs each day, and hunting for fresh produce that is ready to be picked. As fall approaches, Sarah looks forward to being in the kitchen, canning some of our more abundant crops. She also enjoys cooking new recipes for dinner.

Before Sarah’s parents moved nearby, we would swap Thanksgiving and Christmas between our families. Now that they live closer, we anticipate the opportunity of hosting a large family gathering, something we are very much looking forward to. We can’t wait to share these interests and traditions with a child.

We were raised in loving families that supported our hopes and dreams. We grew up playing with our friends outside and enjoying all that nature has to offer. We have a spiritual upbringing and look to God for guidance and support in all we do. 

We look forward to raising a child with all the love and attention that we grew up with, will accept them for who they are, and will nurture their interests. We will be respectful of the level of openness chosen, and we look forward to sharing with the child that their birth mother made the loving choice for them to join our family.

Thank you for choosing life and for considering us as prospective parents.