Hi there and welcome - we are Brad and Shana! Much has led to this moment in our lives, and we couldn’t imagine being anywhere else or feeling anymore certain. Thank you for taking the time to see what makes our world go round. We hope to gain your trust as you have our deepest respect.

In the online dating scene of 2013, we were lucky enough to find each other quickly! For a full month, we poured ourselves into meaningful emails packed with humor. That’s not to say life didn’t throw us some curve balls! Excuses of stitches, the flu, and an injury had all our friends convinced this internet romance wouldn’t make it to the first date. Despite it all though, we never second-guessed each other’s honesty. What we had was special and worth the wait.

Over the next two years of dating, we became the best of friends sharing our passions, enjoying community events, and traveling the east coast. Soon, all our walls came down as our affection was built up. Finding our soulmates in this big world is something we’ll never take lightly. On a beautiful day in 2015, we were married.

Parenting our son Connor has been the greatest blessing of our lives! While growing a loving family has always been our dream, complications from Connor’s birth would make another pregnancy high-risk. For years, we saw every doctor and exhausted all options. The physical and mental pain was extremely difficult, but we’d endure it again in a heartbeat. We’ve seen all sides of adoption and know it was meant for us. Our devotion to family makes us strong, and we have so much love to give!

When I met Shana, everything became beautiful as I found my home in her. Shana exudes goodness and cares deeply about people, always volunteering in the community and providing support for those in need. Her actions speak loudly, and that infectious smile makes anything seem possible.

Shana has always worked incredibly hard. She was a 4.0 student through college and an all-state athlete in volleyball and tennis. For 10 years, she had a successful career in finance as we built our nest egg, and in 2019, she became a stay-at-home mom – her true desire and expertise. It’s no coincidence that Connor’s smile shines so bright!

With her play-to-learn mindset, Shana prioritizes joy and knowledge. She likes organizing activities, outings, and playdates for our son, but knows how to slow down and appreciate the little things too. Understanding the importance of early intervention, Shana identified Connor’s developmental challenges and aided his progress alongside professionals. With a love of learning, Connor entered kindergarten at a first-grade level despite two years of preschool pandemic closures.

Believing that worship should fuel love and abandon hate, Shana’s faith has provided our family comfort, without any judgment or expectation. By focusing on God, she finds beauty, empathy, and encouragement in the world around her. Shana also values health, making time for meditation and exercise, as well as cooking the family nutritious meals from scratch!

Please know, Shana will always put a child first, without exception. She has more heart than anyone I’ve ever met and would love an adopted child with every fiber of her being - giving them all she possibly can.

With patience and gratitude, Brad makes the world a better place for those around him. He lives by putting others first – always tackling challenges with optimism while not losing sight of what’s important. After 11 years together, Brad still opens my car door, wipes my tears, and motivates my dreams. His happiness radiates, and I couldn’t love him more.

Brad takes pride in his responsibilities and has a solid career path. As a Software Engineering Manager at a major company, Brad enjoys leading a team of developers, accountable for vital public services. He is a brilliant person; naturally continuing his education to inspire growth and enthusiasm in his field.  

Working from home with flexible hours, Brad is a reliable father that shows up to school events, afternoon activities, and all bedtimes. From Connor’s first crawl to first bike ride, Brad has been there for life’s milestones and cherishes these memories. In his free time, he bakes homemade pizza in the outdoor brick oven and is a jack of all trades - going from building cabinetry and a gazebo, to making his own computer and the most delicious shrimp tacos!

As our son says, “Daddy is a very silly man!” Laughter is a necessity in our family, and Brad brings the humor whether he’s coaching on the field or leading in the Cub Scouts. For him, parenting is all about the individual child, encouraging them to express themselves, explore areas of interest, and spread kindness. To love, protect, and advocate for an adopted child would be Brad’s greatest honor.

Our son, Connor, was born in 2017, and is a ball of energy who has such a zest for life! He is the type of kid who runs off the school bus with hugs and kisses, makes people smile through his artwork and personality, and always looks for something new to absorb and improve on. His excitement for reading started at a young age and stirs his imagination as he stars in his own plays, builds kingdoms with LEGOS, and embarks on adventures with the family pup, Doris! We love seeing the beauty of life through his eyes!

From the start, Connor has been an old soul. Every morning, he walks into elementary school high-fiving and chatting with teachers and kids alike. He prefers to visit the markets, hold our hands on family walks, bake sweet treats for neighbors, and name every flower in the garden! He’s also extremely inclusive, known for having playdates of fort building, slime making, sport playing fun! We are so proud of Connor for leading with love and being his own person!

In a group of friends, Connor is the first one to cheer the crying baby or play with the younger sibling. For a long time, he’s wanted to be a big brother, and it’s easy to imagine the beautiful relationship he could foster. As Connor tells us, “I am waiting for my best friend.”

We built our single-family home in 2020 and are delighted with where we landed! Our three-story colonial with four bedrooms is set in a large suburban neighborhood ideal for bike rides, block parties, and nature enthusiasts.

With flower-filled window boxes, plants wrap the house in warmth leading to a backyard made for memories. Swinging on the playground, sharing meals in the screened-in porch, relaxing by the firepit, and hosting movie nights in the grass slow life down, if just for a bit. Deer, bunnies, and bald eagles can be spotted in the woods behind our home, children play in the field across the street, and the sight of the adjacent lake is so peaceful. On our neighborhood walks, we enjoy mountain views, nature trails, and time with all our lifelong friends we call neighbors.

In our dream kitchen, Shana is an avid cook and always has our freezer stocked with tasty muffins, quesadillas, and meatballs that fool any kid into eating healthy. We love to have parties on the main level, and our basement playroom and large backyard keep the kiddos entertained.

Friendly, safe, and charming are a few words to describe our community. American flags line main street along with small-business markets, restaurants, and hobby stores. The foliage is breathtaking, as are the parks, farms, and landscapes. Historical homes and buildings make any drive pleasing, and the annual town festivals and parades can’t be missed. We’re also just a short drive from city life and museums, theaters, and sporting arenas. Our neck of the woods is truly something special!

Living close to family and cultivating these integral relationships is very important to us. As we watch Connor grow up, the influence of love and support makes him flourish. Brad’s sister and her family live in our neighborhood, and his parents are only a short drive away. As an elementary school teacher, retired police officer, and retired school administrator, they understand and exemplify the worth of altruism – coming to Connor’s sports games, having sleepovers, celebrating the holidays, and joining us on vacations!

Shana’s large family lives across four states, allowing us to see loved ones while traveling! Connor treasures being pen pals with Grammie and having the funniest FaceTime talks with his cousins! On family reunions by the seaside, Shana and her siblings expose the children to new experiences while seeing what shaped their parents. With an open adoption, we’ll gladly nurture the relationship between birth parents and child through all stages of life.

The joining of our families has been a blessing! Every gathering and outing revolve around the kids, not just because they require the most attention, but because sharing in their happiness is just as wonderful as living it.

And don’t forget Doris! Our lovable ball of fluff is a master cuddler that enjoys walks, fetch, and ANY attention! Doris and Connor became buddies overnight. She follows him everywhere, tolerates a good dress up, and makes him laugh hysterically. We think us humans are the lucky ones, as Doris teaches us responsibility and mindfulness while wagging that tail!  

Spring

Music, food, crafts, and socializing make the greatest festival memories! Visiting several farms, we enjoy the animals and produce, along with obstacle courses, bouncy houses, slides, and Easter egg hunts. Our favorite hobby is tending to the plants in our gardens – it’s so rewarding to breathe in the fresh air while reaping the glory of a job well done!

Summer

Summertime is meant for kids to be kids! Connor loves his morning camps, leaving afternoons for the water park, zoo, or playground. Between our annual 4th of July party and frequent get-togethers, we’re swimming in BBQs, pizza, lawn games, water balloons, and outdoor movies. Ice cream is a must, and grabbing a cone at the weekly town concert hits the spot! By far, the best part of summer is our family vacation!

Fall

It’s back-to-school time, and we’re fortunate to have one of the most sought-after school districts in the USA. Our fall foliage in Virginia is incredible! Fairs, apple picking, pumpkin patches, and seasonal desserts make up our days. Plus, our neighborhood has next-level trick-or-treating with a parade, street parties, and haunted houses!

Winter

Christmas takes center stage, starting with the tree cutting at a nearby farm and transforming our home into a winter wonderland! Santa is everywhere – school breakfast, fire station’s dinner, town tree lighting, Xmas parade, and even drives a red truck past our house! While sipping hot cocoa, we attend the park’s light show and see festive neighborhood displays. Christmas movies start in November, and we gift homemade sugar cookies and key lime pies to our friends! With food, games, and mirth we’re always eager to spend the holidays with family!

Life can be beautiful at one moment and challenging the next. We can’t truly put ourselves in another’s shoes because no life is the same. All we can do is lead with love, faith, and empathy towards what we feel is right. To be going on this journey reflects your strength, bravery, and selflessness. Regardless of your desired level of openness, in our eyes, you are a person of integrity who is providing a child with the fullest potential – the most loving choice one can make. In our home, we’ll talk openly about adoption and express our admiration for you.

As parents, we will cherish the child and nurture their happiness. Children deserve to pursue their interests and explore the world – to develop a love of learning fueled by curiosity. We want them to seize opportunities and recognize mistakes as part of growing, to know it’s okay to experience an array of emotions and stand up for their beliefs. Our home will be a haven of laughter, cuddles, and fun! We will advocate and protect while teaching them to be kind, grateful, and giving. We understand that parenting needs to be customized and will offer the necessary support and resources to help them thrive. With a great education, healthy lifestyle, and supportive family and friends, we are committed to providing a lifetime of love.

We believe God has led us to this moment and can’t thank you enough for considering our family. We will carry you in our hearts and share the child’s adoption story with the deepest respect. We understand this is your choice and would feel honored to be a part of it. 

With love and gratitude,

Brad, Shana, & Connor