Hi, we are Jason and Tyler. We appreciate your time and consideration of us as prospective parents! 

It was early January when we first connected through an online dating app and had an immediate connection. We very quickly moved from online chats to meeting in person and learned that we were both looking for the same thing—a loving relationship and a family to call ours. However, it wasn’t just that long-term goal which connected us, but our dedication to always working hard and our passion for fun. 

The differences in our upbringing brought unique perspectives to the relationship, and helped us understand how we each experienced the world. Through these differences, we grew stronger, both as a couple and independently as people. Eventually, we knew we wanted to continue growing together for the rest of our lives, and we got married in 2020. 

As a gay couple, we knew that adoption was the route for us in growing the family we have always wanted. Growing up as queer individuals, we understand the challenges of struggling with one’s identity and the feelings of not belonging. This is an aspect of adoption that we can empathize with. We will use our struggles and experiences to support the child to find strength in their identity and the power of their uniqueness. 

Growing up in a tumultuous household, I learned very early on to be independent and find my own voice. I quickly realized that I have a love of music, dancing, and all things theater. In college, I studied musical theater and even had the amazing experience of working at Disney World. Through the struggles with my queer identity, I ended up leaving Disney to work as an airline attendant. It was a great experience that helped me contemplate my long-term career goals. 

I ended up working for a company that manufactures and sells filters for other companies, where I discovered my passion for business and leadership. I got my Master’s in Business Administration and became CEO of the company. Through my experiences working at Disney and at the airline, I learned the value of personal relationships and supporting your team. Utilizing this knowledge, when it comes to the employees, I make sure to connect with them one-on-one and ensure their personal needs outside the job are always a consideration. It has made us a strong team and helped the business grow. 

These are the aspects of love and support I want to give to the child. Ensuring they feel heard and valued will help them blossom into an adult who has compassion for all people. I am very excited to become a dad and will pass on kindness that I did not have the opportunity to experience in my childhood.  

I grew up in a loving, supportive, and inclusive household, so much so that my friends considered it their second home. My family’s support allowed me to discover my joy in math and analytical thinking, which led me to study risk management in college. I had to work hard inside and outside of school, dedicating many hours studying beyond my curriculum. This all paid off when I earned the necessary credentials to succeed in my field.

After college, while applying to jobs, I learned the valuable lesson of patience and being kind to yourself. Eventually, I got a job opportunity, quickly discovering that I had another passion—for programming. This led me to a colleague who has a passion for programming combined with a desire for innovation, and together, we started a technology company. We are unsure if our company will succeed, but through this process, I have gained the strength to reach out of my comfort zone and find the power to try new things. 

Sharing the joys and uncertainties of life is something I want to share with the child. Life can be full of happiness and should be celebrated as much as possible, but it is also important to recognize the challenges we will face and the tough decisions we will have to make. I look forward to being a positive and encouraging father, serving as a guiding light.  

We live in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and cherish the multiculturalism of its neighborhoods and the swath of opportunities it presents to us. Our home, nestled in the suburbs, offers ample space for our hobbies and for hosting family and friends. A highlight of our life here is our golden retriever, Winston, who is always beaming with joy and adores cuddling. Together, we make a concerted effort to maintain a clean and organized home, a task that becomes especially important with all the dog fur around.

Our house is situated in a neighborhood characterized by diversity, encompassing various races, religions, and even other queer couples. We are friendly with a handful of neighbors, and everyone we encounter is very kind and positive. There are many walking paths to enjoy, some of which pass along beautiful and serene ponds. We are only a ten-minute drive to a public park that has a playground, water park, and fields for various other activities. 

Outside of our neighborhood, there are many places to experience different aspects of culture. Our city has an active downtown that includes a botanical garden, science museum, art museum, a children's zoo, and a theater that hosts traveling Broadway shows. There are many festivals and public events for children of all ages that occur downtown, as well. Our town is even more diverse than our neighborhood, and it is easy to connect with cultures from all over the world.  

We both grew up in families that made sure to spend time with both our immediate and extended families. One of our families lives in town, less than 15 minutes away, while the other family lives farther away in New Jersey. We find time to enjoy with our families, including opportunities to enjoy holidays together. Although one family lives in New Jersey, we find time to travel there, and they travel here, as well.  

Along with finding time to hang out in person, we also find time to catch up over the phone at least once a month. Both families have traditions that include supporting each other’s children when they have an important event, religious holidays, and even going on vacation together. We help each other, are there for one another, and can rely on our family to always be there for us. Their love and guidance extend to our adoption journey, as well. 

Both families have been nothing but excited for us to adopt and become the family we have always dreamed about. They have even been helpful throughout the adoption process, going as far as getting us gifts to prepare for the child. We know they will play a significant role in the child’s life and can count on them to help us out, including babysitting if needed. Our family will be filled with love, joy, and endless support from relatives near and far.  

We have individual hobbies, but we mostly enjoy sharing hobbies with each other and with friends. Board games were one of our first hobbies together, and is the reason we got engaged. We specifically love board games that are cooperative, where all the players work together against the game. This ensures that everyone wins or loses together and changes the dynamic from being competitive to being about teamwork and collaboration. We are so excited for the day we can share this hobby with the child, as it is not only engaging and fun but also educational and enriching. 

We share an interest in the arts, encompassing everything from TV and movies to musical theater, fashion, and makeup, to sculptures, paintings, and various forms of art. We love finding pop-up art shows with unique and modern exhibits that allow the viewer to interact with the exhibit and forces them to think of art in a different way. Along with experiencing art out in the world, we also find time to make art in our home, which includes drawing, painting, and building beautiful Lego sculptures, all of which we display around our home. 

There are many traditions we enjoy, such as mini-golfing wherever we can, going to the shore during the summer, and going to the lake during the fall. One of our favorite traditions is getting to change our home decorations for all the different holidays. We always make sure to change our traditions slightly to ensure they stay fresh and exciting.  

We are so appreciative of the time and consideration you have given to us as potential adoptive parents. This is not an easy decision, and we only want the best for you and the child, even if that means we are not a good match. Your happiness, sense of security, and especially your well-being, are the most important aspects of your journey. 

If we are lucky enough to share our lives with a child, we will do everything we can to ensure they know they are loved, supported, and given every opportunity to thrive. Starting a family is a huge responsibility, and we do not take it lightly. We will prepare for the baby’s initial needs, as well as take steps for their long-term success.  

As queer individuals, we know that family extends beyond those who share similar genes, and includes those whom we choose to be with for the rest of our lives. For this reason, we want to include the birth mother, and any other family members, in our life as much as they would like to be included. They will always have an open invitation as we desire to all become one big happy family, together. 

In the same way, we would like an open adoption, and we will be open about the adoption with the baby. They will always know where they come from, how loved they are, and to take pride, not shame, in being adopted. 

We send you all our love and best wishes.