We are both Christians and attend a large church with a small community feel. Valerie grew up attending church with her family. Ryan grew up attending church as well, but just more recently got back involved. Ryan was speaking with one of his friends about why he believes in God, and he told him about all the signs he received over the years. Not even 24 hours after that conversation, he found a note in one of the walls where he was changing an outlet that read “God bless this house!!! And may he bless you also! Give your life to Him today. Please, please.” When Valerie was first talking with Ryan, she asked if he attended a church which he had not yet found one to go to. We ended up going to what is now the church where they got married, and to this day we go just about every Sunday. Ryan firmly believes that Jesus brought Valerie to him, and vice versa.

Our belief in Jesus is important to the both of us. Our church has great programs for children from toddlers all the way through high school. They offer sports as well for the children to be a part of a team and learn to work together. Valerie is involved in teaching kindergarten and first graders on Sundays every other month. Ryan will help with sports and can usually be found running the scoreboard or in the concession.

Valerie loves staying active and curious—whether she’s reading as many books as she can get her hands on, playing trivia, working through crossword puzzles, or enjoying a good game night. She also loves watching baseball and football, playing volleyball, hiking, swimming, and exercising. Spending time with family and friends is especially important to her, and she’s happiest when she’s surrounded by the people she loves and playing with her two dogs. One of her favorite parts of the week is teaching Sunday school at church to a group of kindergarten‑age children, something she finds incredibly fun and meaningful.

Ryan loves all things outdoors - hiking, cycling, running, fishing, and hunting are some of his favorite ways to spend a day. He enjoys staying fit, playing sports and games, and studying chess. He also mentors college students who are entering the financial field, something he finds incredibly rewarding. Ryan is currently attending school with Valerie as they work toward earning their MBAs together. He loves spending time with family and friends, and he’s always happy when he’s out in the yard or on a walk playing with our two dogs.

Education is very important to us. In fact, we are currently attending a university and together we are working towards obtaining our Master in Business Administration. We have taken all classes together so far. We plan to use the excellent public schools in our area, which consistently receive strong reviews, and we will always stay attentive to what our child needs as they grow. We value hands‑on learning and encouraging a child’s natural curiosity, and we look forward to being actively involved in their school life — from helping with homework to cheering them on at school events.

Extracurricular activities are also something we’re excited to support. Ryan played sports through college, and Valerie grew up playing piano, so we both understand how meaningful it can be for a child to explore their interests. Whether our child is drawn to music, sports, art, or something entirely new, we will be there to encourage them and help them succeed. Above all, we want to provide an environment where learning feels exciting, supported, and full of possibility.

Our families are very excited that we’re adopting, and we feel incredibly supported by both sides. Many of our relatives live within two hours of us, which means frequent visits and plenty of opportunities for a child to grow up surrounded by family and other children. Ryan’s family loves spending time outdoors and getting together for some friendly competition playing board and card games. Valerie’s family enjoys time together hanging out, talking, and cooking good food. Both families are close-knit and we see our family regularly. We are genuinely excited to welcome another member into the mix!

Ryan’s parents have a second home in Arkansas, and with his sister’s family living in Texas, we all get together there quite often. When there, we like to get out on the White River and the lake to do some fishing. Ryan’s maternal grandmother lives there as well and makes THE best chocolate chip cookies you can imagine.

Valerie’s brother and his family more recently relocated near St. Louis. We are all big Cardinal’s fans and can’t wait till our child will get to attend their first game with us! Oh…Savanah Banana’s baseball too!

We live in Illinois in a calm, family‑friendly neighborhood just outside of town. Our five‑bedroom home has become a place where we can truly unwind at the end of the day. The living room and basement are our favorite spots — it’s where we curl up to watch our favorite shows, host friends, and enjoy quiet evenings together. We also have a big fenced‑in backyard with a large deck, perfect for grilling out in the spring, summer, and fall. Our two friendly dogs, a lab mix and a husky, love having all that space to run and play, and so will our child.

Our community is full of families, many with young children, and we’ve enjoyed getting to know the neighbors on all sides of us. Just north of our home are a couple of lakes with parks, walking trails, and a small, enclosed beach where families gather to swim and play. The nearby downtown area hosts festivals, music events, and even a circus each year — traditions we look forward to sharing with a child. With great local schools this is a great place for a child to grow up.

We want to begin by expressing our deep gratitude and appreciation for your courage. We understand that you are facing an incredibly difficult and emotional decision, and we know you are considering adoption out of love and concern for your child. As you learn about us, we hope you feel our sincerity, our excitement, and our genuine desire to build a loving family through adoption.

We are Valerie and Ryan. We’ve been married for three years and together for five, though our story began long before that?"we originally went to high school together in the same graduating class. It wasn’t until years later that we officially met, though we did know who the other was. In fact, we ended up connecting through online dating, while also realizing we already knew of one another. Since we got married in 2023, becoming parents has always been part of our dream, and we are eagerly looking forward to the moment we can welcome a child into our home.

Family is very important in our lives, and that is why we would like to build one of our own. Both of our parents live just over an hour down the road where we went to high school together. Ryan’s sister and her family live in Texas, and while we don’t get to see them as often as we’d like, we are always on Facetime with them and our niece and nephew. Valerie’s brother and his family live closer, and we do get to spend time with them and our nephew often.

We love staying active and enjoying the outdoors. You can often find us hiking, biking, on the boat, or sitting next to a bonfire. While we don’t go as much as we would like, we also like camping. We enjoy watching sports together and cheering on our favorite football and baseball teams. We have our own local and college teams as well where we enjoy attending baseball, basketball, and football games. We are eager for our child to be able to go to them and enjoy the games with us! At home, Valerie loves reading, puzzles, trivia, and baking, while Ryan enjoys chess, staying active with triathlons, reading, fishing, and hunting. We look forward to sharing all of our interests with our child while also learning about what interests them at the same time.

We share our home with two happy, friendly dogs who bring a lot of love and laughter into our daily lives. We envision a childhood filled with holiday traditions, movie nights, trips to the zoo (lots of them!), and family vacations. More than anything, we want to nurture a child’s curiosity, support their learning, and help them grow into a caring, generous, and confident adult.

If chosen, your child will know their story. We will speak of you with respect, honesty, and gratitude. We are committed to sending you letters and pictures so you can see how your child is growing and thriving. We believe that openness is a beautiful gift for a child?"helping them understand where they come from and how deeply they have always been loved by all of us.

The decision you are making is incredibly brave, and we do not take that lightly. Thank you for considering us as potential parents for your child. We hope that as you learn about our lives, our values, and the love we hope to share, you feel a sense of peace in whatever choice you make.

We are ready to open our hearts and our home, to build a family filled with love, laughter, and support. We are excited for the everyday moments?"bedtime stories, weekend adventures, shared meals?"and the big milestones that shape a life. We look forward to creating a warm, joyful environment where a child feels safe, loved, and encouraged.

Thank you again for your strength, your thoughtfulness, and for taking the time to get to know us. We wish you comfort, support, and clarity as you continue on this journey.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Ryan & Valerie