Adoption has touched our lives in the most profound and life-giving way. In 2023, we adopted our son, Rivers. From the moment we touched his tiny hands our understanding of family and love expanded forever. Adoption was not a second choice or an alternative path - it was the path that led us exactly where we were meant to be.

Rivers is magic. He is the joy of our lives, filling our home with laughter, curiosity, and wonder. Through him, we have learned to see the world with fresh eyes and to savor the beauty of ordinary moments. Becoming his parents has been the greatest privilege of our lives and a daily reminder of how powerful intentional love can be.

Adoption has reshaped our hearts. It has taught us that family is formed through commitment, choice and unwavering devotion not solely through biology. It has deepened our gratitude, strengthened our patience, and broadened our capacity for compassion. Our lives are richer and more meaningful because of adoption.

We are forever changed by this journey, endlessly thankful to his birth family, and honored to walk through life as parents - a family. We cannot wait to do it again and look forward to growing our family further through adoption.

We are committed to honoring and celebrating a child's cultural and racial identity, including experiences that may be different from our own. If we are blessed to adopt a child of a different race, we understand that love alone is not enough, intentional learning, and advocacy are essential.

We will actively seek out diverse communities, schools, mentors and friends that honor our child's heritage. We feel it is important that they see themselves represented and affirmed in the world around them. We do live in a small rural town currently, however, if we felt it was important for our child's development we would have no issues with relocating. We have both enjoyed living in large cities (Chicago and Indianapolis), and if it is necessary for our family's well being, we won't hesitate to do this again.

We will be deliberate about incorporating our children's individual cultures, traditions and histories into our family life in meaningful and every day ways. We will have open conversations about race and celebrate differences, all with the hope of preparing our children to navigate the realities of a diverse world with confidence and pride. We will approach cultural diversity with humility and respect, recognizing that we will also continue to learn and grow as parents. Above all, our goal is to raise children that feel deeply loved, seen, and proud of who they are and where they came from.

We met in Chicago in 2016, during an exciting time in the city-The Cubs were in the World Series, and the energy was electric. Megan was finishing her medical fellowship, and Ryan was working in medical sales. We first met at a restaurant near Megan's apartment, and from that moment we began exploring the city together.

Our early dates were full of laughter and adventure-trying new restaurants, enjoying comedy shows, dancing at live music concerts, and wandering through art museums. We quickly realized how much we loved discovering the world together.

After Megan finished her fellowship, she returned west, drawn back to the mountains and outdoor adventures she cherished growing up. Ryan didn't hesitate-he quit his job and sold his house to join her out west. That leap reflected the trust, commitment, and love that has always defined our relationship.

A few years later, we returned to Chicago to celebrate our love and were married at the Art Institute of Chicago. We were surrounded by family, friends, art, history and the city where our story began. It was a joyful, magical day that perfectly blended our past and the life we were building together.

From exploring the streets of Chicago to hiking mountain trails, sharing laughter over meals and dancing at concerts (mostly Megan dancing) our story is full of joy, trust and adventure.

Family is the most important aspect of our lives. We are fortunate to be surrounded by a close, supportive extended family who is also excited to welcome a child through adoption. Megan's extended family is deeply connected by a shared love of time together in the outdoors. She has two older brothers, Lance and Jarrod who are both avid outdoorsman-Jarrod enjoys fishing and hunting, while Lance spends time camping and cross-country skiing. Megan's mom lives in the same small mountain town we do and Megan regularly cooks, crafts, attends pilates classes and explores the Bighorn Mountains with her Mom by her side. Her father lives in southern Utah and is known for his ability to fix anything; he loves visiting national parks and sharing his love of nature with our extended family.

Ryan's family is close-knit, fun-loving, and loyal. He has two younger brothers, Aaron and Ronnie-both true "giants" at 6'6" and 6'10"-who share in his love of basketball. All three brothers played college basketball and the game continues to bring them together. Aaron and Ronnie each have families with young children, filling gatherings with energy, laughter and plenty of time spent playing and cheering each other on. Ryan's father lives in a Michigan lake town, where he enjoys supporting Notre Dame sports teams. Ryan's mother lovingly cares for his 97-year-old grandmother and finds joy in baking and watching her grandchildren grow. Our extended family is collectively ecstatic to help us welcome a new baby into our lives.

We live in Wyoming, in a small town nestled at the base of the Bighorn Mountains. The town offers the perfect blend of natural beauty and a close-knit community, where neighbors know one another, and families are truly supported. Our days often include time outdoors-hiking, biking and exploring the mountains that rise just minutes from our home.

The downtown is charming with local shops, libraries, parks and community events that bring people together throughout the year. Our favorite event is the Christmas Stroll that takes place the day after Thanksgiving. Historic Main Street comes alive with festive holiday cheer, lights, decorations and live entertainment. Santa and Mrs. Claus are there with hot chocolate and wagon or trolley rides. There are food trucks, Christmas shopping and fireworks. We love our town as it is a place where children can grow up with space to play and explore. There are strong school systems and a sense of safety and belonging. Living here allows us to enjoy a slower pace of life while staying connected to nature and one another. It is a spectacular place to raise a family rooted in curiosity, kindness and outdoor adventure.

We also want to emphasize that while we love where we live and the unique opportunities available in our location, we would not hesitate to move if we felt it were necessary for the well being of our children or our family as a whole. Family comes first and we want our children to thrive.

Thank you for taking the time to read our profile and this letter. We hope you have learned a little about who we are. We know this moment carries intense emotion, incredible strength, courage and above all - love. We want you to know how deeply we respect you and the care you are taking for your child. We are Megan and Ryan, and we have been together since 2016. From the beginning, our relationship was built on friendship, laughter, and a shared sense of adventure. We were married in 2019, and over the years our bond has only grown stronger through life's everyday moments - celebrating milestones, weathering challenges, and showing up for each other consistently and with intention. We believe a strong marriage isn't about perfection, but about commitment, communication, and choosing one another and our family every day.

Our life together is active, grounded, and full of warmth. Ryan is someone who loves movement and creativity - whether he's out biking, playing guitar or encouraging everyone around him to try something new. Megan finds joy in hiking, reading and photography; capturing the little moments that make life meaningful. Together we value laughter, cooking together, time outdoors, and creating a home where people feel safe, supported and deeply loved.

We are also parents to our toddler, Rivers, who fills our home with wonder and priceless little giggles. We adopted Rivers in 2023 and he has expanded our love and our lives beyond measure. Becoming parents changed us in ways we never fully understood until we experienced it. The love you feel for a child is immediate and profound, but it also grows deeper every day. It is love rooted not just in joy, but in responsibility, presence, and a fierce desire to protect and nurture another human being. Parenthood has taught us that love is not finite - it grows with each shared moment, each bedtime story, each quiet reassurance. It is a privilege we never take lightly and one we are grateful for every single day.

Rivers loves being outside, playing with dump trucks, sharing peanut butter sandwiches (and Cheetos!), and greeting every dog or cat he meets as a new friend. He is cuddly and kind and loves a good bedtime story. He will be a tremendous big brother. Watching him grow has deepened our appreciation for how important consistency, affection, and presence are in a child's life. Our days are often spent outdoors playing trucks in the sandbox, reading books together, cooking meals as a family, and laughing at the small, silly moments that make life feel full.

Family and community are incredibly important to us. We are surrounded by loving, supportive relatives - siblings, parents, extended family and friends - who are actively involved in our lives and eager to support our growing family. We live in a small, welcoming mountain town in Wyoming, where children have room and space to explore, neighbors look out for one another, and nature is always close by. It's a place where we feel rooted and where we envision raising children with a sense of belonging and connection. We want to be very clear about our commitment to openness. We are genuinely willing and eager to maintain contact through letters, emails and photos and we are open to visiting once per year if that is something you want. We believe that honoring your place in your child's life is important, and we are committed to communication that is respectful, consistent, and guided by what feels healthiest for everyone involved, especially your child.

Most of all, we want you to know that if you choose us, your child will grow up surrounded by love, stability, and encouragement to be exactly who they are. We would speak of you with gratitude and respect, and we would always honor the incredible role you play in their story.

Thank you for considering us and for the love and courage that brought you here.

With respect and gratitude,

Ryan & Megan