Hello, we are Patrick and Julie! First and foremost, thank you so much for taking the time to review our profile! We want you to know how much it means to us and we appreciate your willingness to consider us as prospective parents. 

The story of us began online. We were both in our 30s and looking for our forever person. We started messaging almost daily and really hit it off. After years of praying, we felt that we had found the right person. 

We first met in-person at a coffee shop and even though Patrick did not pay for Julie's coffee, we talked for hours and got to know each other. We started spending more and more time together on weekends and after work. We both felt so strongly about each other that we were already discussing marriage after only a few months. After dating for ten months, we were engaged and we got married a year later, in 2016. 

We both knew we wanted to start a family together, but did not rush into it after our wedding. We did not try long, and quickly became pregnant, and our son was born in 2018. A year and a half later, we became pregnant again, only to lose the child after several weeks. After a few more years of trying and a surgery for Julie, we knew God had other plans for growing our family. Through much prayer and consideration, we felt God leading us to adopt. We are excited to adopt and welcome a child into our hearts and lives through open adoption.

I grew up in a creative household, where my father designed landscapes, and my sister grew up to design kitchens and interiors. I was never a great artist, but still had a heart for creating and design. Outside of my passion for the arts, my focus was sports. I played and watched all types of sports throughout my childhood and have a passion for college football, college basketball, downhill skiing, and playing golf. 

After studying marketing and business for three years, I changed my degree to advertising. Ultimately, I discovered that I was passionate about graphic design and found a job at a printing company, setting up art files. I am blessed to still be with that company, though these days my focus has shifted to more of an admin role. 

I have always known that I wanted to be a father and I relish each day with my son. It is so much fun watching him grow and teaching him new things. I am excited to add to our family and know that I have so much love to share with another child.

Ever since I was a little girl, I have been very compassionate, caring, and nurturing. I am the oldest of three, and loved having a younger brother and sister to help take care of and love on. During my junior year of college, with the encouragement from my mom and the prompting of God, I decided to pursue a degree in nursing. I transferred colleges to attend a school that offered a Bachelor’s in Nursing. Over the years, I have worked in several specialized areas in nursing: cardiac unit, operating room, clinical documentation, and quality. My current role as a denials nurse is part time and provides me with the flexibility to spend time with my family and to enjoy time off during holidays, special events, and family vacations.

I enjoy reading, traveling, swimming, watching, and playing sports, listening to music and podcasts, and spending time with Caleb and Patrick. I enjoy summer as I look forward to the sun, warm weather, and spending time outside. I enjoy going for bike rides down the bike trail to the park or ice cream shop. Spending time outside, at the beach, or at our pool with family or friends brings me so much joy.

I love my role as a wife and mother. My love for my family is deep and sacrificial and I cannot wait for our family to grow so I can share that love with another child.

Caleb will be a great big brother. He is incredibly sweet and caring with younger children, and his willingness to look out for others and stand up for those he cares about, is one of his many strengths. He is smart, sensitive, affectionate, funny, high-energy, a leader, and so much fun. He is a very social kid who makes friends easily and loves to learn and teach others. His caring and sensitive heart shines through in his words and actions. Caleb’s strong desire to do what is right is very evident in every aspect of his life.

He has strong passions for Legos, Magna-Tiles, football, biking, scootering, fishing and spending time with family and friends. Each fall, he is involved in a Lego robotics league that he really enjoys. He also plays soccer, football, golf, gymnastics, and participates in ninja classes.

Caleb has a very creative side, which he gets from Patrick’s family. He loves to draw, color, and design structures with his Legos and Magna-Tiles. We know that when the time comes, he will lovingly share these hobbies and passions with a sibling.

We live in a suburban area with access to many parks, bike trails, libraries, and community pools. Our home is on a quiet street in a neighborhood that has many families with children of all ages. We have grown close with our neighbors and often share a meal, play together in the yard, or have driveway bonfires. 

As a family, we enjoy spending time playing a game of football or soccer in the yard. Our fenced-in backyard has an above-ground pool where we spend much of our time during summer days. In the colder months, we often play board and card games, color and draw, or go out for an adventure. In 2022, we remodeled our basement which has become our main area for play and entertainment.

Some of the many reasons we chose this area was proximity to great schools, close friends, and our supportive family. We are only a fifteen minute drive to a major city with access to a zoo, museums, and other entertainment.

Both of our families live close by and are an active presence in our lives. Patrick’s family grew up in the area, and Julie’s family moved to the area after she finished college. Our parents have been an incredible support with Caleb, and they love spending time with him. They are excited to help take care of another grandchild. 

All of our siblings live within a short distance and often help with babysitting. We have a number of nieces and nephews whom we see regularly and Caleb loves spending time with. 

We celebrate all the major holidays and birthdays with our family. Additionally, we attend many of our nieces’ and nephews’ school and sporting events. Our family is incredibly important to us and has been instrumental in helping us raise Caleb.

Our family and friends are completely supportive of our decision to adopt and could not be happier for us. Already, we have had so much support starting this adoption journey and know that they will continue to support us for years to come.

We enjoy traveling to different areas of Michigan and have taken several trips with extended family to Florida and Alabama. 

In the fall, we enjoy watching college football. Julie grew up cheering for Michigan and Patrick has deep roots at MSU, so we live in a house divided which makes for some interesting Saturdays. 

The cold winter months bring time spent by the fireplace reading books, coloring, or playing games. When snow comes, Caleb cannot wait to get outside to sled or build a snowman. Patrick loves to downhill ski, and looks forward to taking Caleb on the slopes.

When spring comes, we play sports, ride our bikes to the park, build bonfires with the neighbors, and spend time outside, enjoying God’s creations. 

Every summer, we take a camping trip along Lake Michigan, spending time at the beach, soaking up the sun, and playing in the sand and water. We take day trips to the zoo and waterpark, find new places to explore, and spend time swimming in our pool with friends and family. 

Christmas is one of our favorite times of the year, celebrating our Savior’s birth and the hope that it brings. We decorate the tree and house, bake cookies, and spend time with family. Caleb loves to help set up the Christmas village and collects his own small houses. 

We have a wonderful church community, volunteer in different capacities, and have become close friends with members of our small group as we point each other towards Jesus and walk through life together. Caleb has developed close friendships with the children in our small group and church.

We want to thank you again for taking time to look through our profile while considering an adoption plan. We are praying that our family will grow through adoption so we can know the love of another child. God has an incredibly beautiful plan for our family.

This path takes a great amount of strength and bravery, and regardless of where your journey takes you, we are confident that you have both. We pray you experience the nearness of God through this process and know how much he loves you.