Letter
Why We're Adopting
We had both always been open to the idea of adopting a child and had discussed this possibility.
Hello! We are Annie and Jon. Thank you so much for taking the time to learn more about us and our dream to grow our family through adoption.
We had both always been open to the idea of adopting a child and had discussed this possibility, but when we decided we were ready to begin to expand our family we first tried to conceive naturally. After a miscarriage we pursued some fertility treatments without success. During this time a close friend adopted a precious child whom we all instantly adored. We recognized that we were faced with a decision, continue to pursue fertility treatments or instead meet our child through the adoption process. After attending an information session at Gladney and meeting a group of incredible birth mothers who shared their stories, we had no doubt that life had led us to this place for a reason and that adoption would be our chosen path to growing our family.
How We Met
We feel so grateful for the life we have built together with a strong relationship, supportive network of family and friends, our loving dogs, and rewarding careers.
We met in bush Alaska
We met in bush Alaska in 2003 after moving to the same small town the same week. Jon moved out to train a dog sled team with his best friend from college and to write for the local newspaper. Annie came for a job at the local women's shelter as a children's advocate and to live with her best friend from high school. It turned out our best friends were buddies and so we were soon also friends and playing together in a band. A few months into our friendship Jon volunteered to help Annie wrap Christmas presents for the shelter holiday festivities and as we stayed up late in the night wrapping and talking and laughing, we both began to sense that we had a future together outside of the band!
After a couple years of dating, we decided we were ready for some warmer weather and a new adventure. We then spent a year traveling- first visiting friends and family all over the US and then sightseeing, taking Spanish classes and volunteering in Mexico and Central America. All of these adventures and challenges just strengthened our bond and in 2006, we relocated to Texas to be closer to family and to begin to set down roots. We were soon engaged and we celebrated our marriage with friends and family in the spring of 2008. We then supported each other's decisions to go back to school in order to follow our passions into careers that were personally meaningful and could also provide us with financial security. We feel so grateful for the life we have built together with a strong relationship, supportive network of family and friends, our loving dogs, and rewarding careers. We have long desired to be parents though, and believe the one piece of our family that is missing is a child to love and nurture.
After a couple years of dating, we decided we were ready for some warmer weather and a new adventure. We then spent a year traveling- first visiting friends and family all over the US and then sightseeing, taking Spanish classes and volunteering in Mexico and Central America. All of these adventures and challenges just strengthened our bond and in 2006, we relocated to Texas to be closer to family and to begin to set down roots. We were soon engaged and we celebrated our marriage with friends and family in the spring of 2008. We then supported each other's decisions to go back to school in order to follow our passions into careers that were personally meaningful and could also provide us with financial security. We feel so grateful for the life we have built together with a strong relationship, supportive network of family and friends, our loving dogs, and rewarding careers. We have long desired to be parents though, and believe the one piece of our family that is missing is a child to love and nurture.
Annie by Jon
Annie is the most compassionate and empathetic person I have ever encountered.
At 4 corners
Annie is the most compassionate and empathetic person I have ever encountered. Her ability to quickly understand and deeply listen to people makes her relationships rich and fulfilling. It doesn't take long after meeting her to recognize she cares about everyone, even total strangers. Annie's passion for social justice and dedication to self-improvement through education is an inspiration.
Her love and knowledge of music and frequent desire for a dance party first attracted me to Annie. Since those early years in Alaska, I have come to know there are countless wonders she possesses which have caused me to fall in love with Annie many times over. Her brilliant mind combines with her big heart to make her a successful psychologist, but her quick wit and sense of playful mischief makes her a delight at the dinner table or around a campfire.
Annie's sense of adventure has remained strong and she takes planning and plotting our next trip seriously, approaching it almost as an academic research project! Thanks to her love of wonder and drive to wander, we enjoy several small and one or two big adventures each year.
Her sense of style is constantly at work around our home and camper which keeps our spaces feeling both comfortably homey and fresh. Through seeing her work with children in her jobs at a shelter, elementary school, and youth focused non-profit and watching her spend time with our 14 nieces and nephews, I have learned that children adore Annie and she adores them. I know she will be a wonderful, loving mother.
Her love and knowledge of music and frequent desire for a dance party first attracted me to Annie. Since those early years in Alaska, I have come to know there are countless wonders she possesses which have caused me to fall in love with Annie many times over. Her brilliant mind combines with her big heart to make her a successful psychologist, but her quick wit and sense of playful mischief makes her a delight at the dinner table or around a campfire.
Annie's sense of adventure has remained strong and she takes planning and plotting our next trip seriously, approaching it almost as an academic research project! Thanks to her love of wonder and drive to wander, we enjoy several small and one or two big adventures each year.
Her sense of style is constantly at work around our home and camper which keeps our spaces feeling both comfortably homey and fresh. Through seeing her work with children in her jobs at a shelter, elementary school, and youth focused non-profit and watching her spend time with our 14 nieces and nephews, I have learned that children adore Annie and she adores them. I know she will be a wonderful, loving mother.
Jon by Annie
Jon is one of the most universally loved people I've ever met, and I feel incredibly lucky to call him my husband!
Jon and one of our dogs
Jon is one of the most universally loved people I've ever met, and I feel incredibly lucky to call him my husband! He has a soothing and patient presence that instantly calms me and others. He loves chatting with strangers, sipping on coffee, and watching life unfold from a porch. He places great value on slowing down and savoring the moment and helps others to do the same.
Jon currently works in a sheriff's department and was voted by his peers as employee of the year in 2019. Whether it is connecting with people in moments when they feel most lost or afraid, talking them through a crisis, or providing comfort following a loss, he excels at his job because of the compassion and joy he brings to his work.
Jon is an incredible cheerleader who always celebrates others' victories. He is also very quick-witted and routinely makes me laugh until it hurts. He is devoted to his family and works hard to be a supportive husband, brother, son, and cousin. He is never afraid to speak up for what he believes is right no matter the cost. People recognize that he is a man of integrity-which I believe is why he keeps being asked to officiate people's weddings! I have learned so much from Jon, and I know he will make an incredible father.
Jon currently works in a sheriff's department and was voted by his peers as employee of the year in 2019. Whether it is connecting with people in moments when they feel most lost or afraid, talking them through a crisis, or providing comfort following a loss, he excels at his job because of the compassion and joy he brings to his work.
Jon is an incredible cheerleader who always celebrates others' victories. He is also very quick-witted and routinely makes me laugh until it hurts. He is devoted to his family and works hard to be a supportive husband, brother, son, and cousin. He is never afraid to speak up for what he believes is right no matter the cost. People recognize that he is a man of integrity-which I believe is why he keeps being asked to officiate people's weddings! I have learned so much from Jon, and I know he will make an incredible father.