Canaan & Bailey

Hello! Thank you so much for taking the time to learn more about us and our journey. We’re honored that you’re here and hope this book gives you a genuine glimpse into our lives, our relationship, our favorite things, and the love that fills our home.

Our story began in 2013, in a small Midwest town, when we met in high school. What started as a plan to be each other’s prom date quickly turned into something much deeper. We discovered how naturally we connected, how much joy we found in each other’s company, and how alike we were in the things that mattered most. Our first date was filled with laughter (car karaoke, arcade games, temporary tattoos, and a movie) and that same spirit of fun and friendship still defines our relationship.

We’ve truly been best friends from the beginning, and in 2020, we got married surrounded by the people we love. In 2022, we began dreaming of expanding our family. After trying to conceive and reflecting deeply on our path forward, we felt called to adoption, something that had been on our hearts since early in our relationship. Opening our hearts and home through open adoption feels like the most meaningful and natural next step for us.

We are so grateful for the chance to grow our family in this way. Thank you again for considering us and for the incredible love and strength you are showing through your journey. No matter what decision you make, please know that we already hold you in our hearts with deep respect and compassion.

I look back on my childhood with so much joy. It was filled with laughter, love, and the steady presence of people who truly cared for me. I grew up playing outside with my sisters, spending quality time with my parents, gathering with our big extended family, and staying active in church. One of my favorite things, even back then, was exploring nature, a love that has followed me into adulthood and become a meaningful part of who I am.

These days, I find peace and joy hiking local trails, exploring national parks, or simply relaxing on our deck with a warm cup of coffee and a good book. My love for nature even inspired my career! I earned degrees in environmental engineering and environmental science education, and now I teach high school environmental science and chemistry which brings me so much joy as I help students discover the beauty and wonder of the world around them.

There’s something truly special about traveling and experiencing new places and cultures, which I can’t wait to one day share with a child – to see the world through their eyes. As much as I love adventure, though, I also treasure the simple, cozy routines of home where my evenings are usually spent cooking dinner, reading, watching Survivor with Canaan, and just being together. I know those quiet moments will only grow sweeter as our family grows.

My faith is a central part of my life. I’m deeply involved in our church community, where I help lead high school girls in the Youth Ministry and volunteer in the nursery with toddlers and infants.

I grew up on a farm in Southern Missouri, where life was simple and full of meaningful connections. It was a childhood filled with adventure and warmth. Many days were spent helping my dad tend to our cows, learning the values of responsibility, perseverance, and doing your part for the family. Growing up, I loved fishing, exploring the woods with my brother, riding four-wheelers across the fields, and walking next door to spend time with my grandparents. Surrounded by family and nature gave me a strong foundation of love and belonging, something I hope to recreate as we grow our family.

I knew I wanted to carry the values I’d learned on the farm into a career that would allow me to build and lead in new ways. I went to college, earned a degree in civil engineering, and began a career in construction management. Today, I work as a project manager, and I’ve had the privilege of overseeing the construction of buildings across the United States. This work challenges me and allows me to combine the practical skills I learned growing up with what I’ve gained through education and experience: hard work, clear communication, and leadership.

I enjoy staying active through lifting weights, playing golf, and shooting hoops. I love trying new restaurants, watching movies, playing board and video games, and cheering on Bailey’s students at high school sporting events. I help teach Sunday school class, volunteer in the Youth Ministry for 11th and 12th grade boys, and host a weekly Bible study.

Thank you for taking the time to get to know me, my heart, and the love I can’t wait to share with a child.

We moved into our home in late 2024, and we’ve been so happy with the peaceful pace of life it’s brought us. Nestled on a quiet cul-de-sac, our home feels like the perfect place to grow our family. Since moving in, we’ve worked hard to make it truly ours. There’s a cozy living room where we relax by the fireplace, a spacious basement perfect for playing games or watching movies, and a big backyard ideal for running around or unwinding. One of our favorite additions is the basketball goal, something we can’t wait to share with a child!

One of the things we love most is our neighborhood, full of families and friendly faces. We often take walks and find ourselves chatting with neighbors. Our next-door neighbors have become some of our closest friends. There’s a real sense of community here, something we treasure deeply.

Even though we live in a suburban neighborhood, we’re surrounded by nature in such a beautiful way. In the evenings, we hear owls hooting softly in the distance, and it’s not uncommon to see deer grazing nearby. There’s even a peaceful waterfall right across the street from us — a little piece of nature’s magic right in our front yard.

Living just outside of the city gives us the best of both worlds: a quiet neighborhood with easy access to adventure. The zoo, aquarium, sports stadiums, and local museums are all a short drive away. We’re also lucky to live near some amazing hiking trails that we visit often.

This community feels like home in every way; Bailey teaches here, our church is nearby, and we’re surrounded by people who care about us.

We feel incredibly blessed to have come from loving, tight-knit families, from the same hometown, making staying connected with them easy and fun, whether for holidays, spontaneous weekend visits, or long trips. Despite living three hours away, we see each other frequently and stay closely connected through phone calls, FaceTime, and texting. The distance has never gotten in the way of the strong bond we share.

We’re aunt and uncle to two precious little ones. Our parents have naturally stepped into the role of grandparents which has been one of the sweetest joys. They’ve already made it very clear that they plan to be are very involved grandparents, and they’re so excited to welcome another grandchild. A child in our home will be joining a family full of love, laughter, and two adorable cousins ready to play and grow up together!

Bailey’s family hosts a Christmas Eve pajama party complete with board games, a reading of the Christmas story, and a movie. Canaan’s family has a long-standing Easter egg hunt, including a trophy for the best hunter! These traditions are full of laughter and togetherness, and we can’t wait to blend them with new traditions we’ll create as our family grows.

Our parents and siblings have been incredibly supportive throughout our adoption journey. Their excitement, encouragement, and love mean the world to us. 

We’re surrounded by a strong, supportive circle of friends who have walked beside us, prayed with us, and offered unwavering love as we’ve prepared for adoption. Our church truly feels like an extension of our family, and the love and support we’ve received during our journey has been humbling and deeply encouraging.

We believe that every day holds something worth celebrating, and we find ways to create new traditions and savor simple moments together. Here's a glimpse into what each season looks like in our home, and what we’re excited to share with a child:

Spring: We take every chance to get outside and enjoy nature, often hiking nearby trails, sipping coffee on our deck, or shooting hoops in the driveway. Enjoying the energy of local sports, whether a baseball game, a soccer match, or a hockey night, we love cheering on our teams and soaking in the excitement.

Summer: Bailey loves creative projects like painting a room, scrapbooking our travels, or planning our next adventure. We make it a priority to take fun road trips to new states or national parks, or have bigger adventures abroad every year. We dream of sharing these experiences with a child, watching them discover the world through wide-eyed wonder and curiosity.

Fall: We love crisp mornings at the farmers’ market, warm drinks from local coffee shops, and afternoons spent pumpkin picking. Our neighborhood comes alive on Halloween. Every house gets involved, and one neighbor sets up a haunted house that’s a kid favorite. Football season is a time for good food, great company, and cheering on our favorite teams from the comfort of home.

Winter: We embrace the warmth of home and family. Winter is full of meaningful traditions like Thanksgiving dinners with extended family, decorating the Christmas tree, baking cookies, and driving through Christmas lit streets. These quiet, magical moments are ones we treasure deeply, and we look forward to making them even more special with a child by our side.

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for taking the time to get to know us and for considering us as potential adoptive parents. We can only imagine the strength and love it takes to walk the path you are on, and we want you to know that we see your courage and honor your decision, whatever it may be. 

As parents, we promise to carry the weight of that trust with deep respect and unending gratitude. We are filled with so much hope and excitement about the opportunity to grow our family through adoption, and we are committed to building a relationship that reflects love, openness, and mutual care, however that may look for you. We are open to an adoption that allows for connection, communication, and shared milestones, and we will always speak of you with admiration and respect.

We will give a baby a life filled with unconditional love, joy, and stability. We will nurture their heart, mind, and spirit, and encourage them to grow into exactly who they are meant to be. We will celebrate their story and make sure they grow up knowing where they came from and just how deeply they were loved from the very beginning. Adoption will never be a secret. It will be shared openly and lovingly, as a story of hope and incredible love. We hope to give a child a home full of laughter, adventure, support, and endless hugs – a home where they feel safe, cherished, and truly known. You will always be a part of that story, and we will forever be grateful for you.