Hello! We are Josh and Kyle, and we are so honored that you are reading our story. We can’t wait to share more with you about our life, love, and home.

Like so many in today’s world, we met online. Josh was living in Michigan, and Kyle in Ohio, though even across the distance, we were connected. We spent the first years of our relationship driving long hours back and forth, a lot of time on the phone, and spent COVID times really getting to know each other.

Josh proposed on the shores of Lake Michigan in the summer of 2021, and we were married in early 2022. Once we decided we were right for each other, there was no time to waste. Our love has really continued to deepen and grow, built on that early foundation of long phone calls and a pandemic year with nothing to do but be together.

We knew from the beginning of our relationship that we did not want to be biological parents. That meant exploring other ways to welcome children into our lives. We’ve come to adoption after two years of being exchange student host parents, learning that we want to build a family, even if it’s not with children we carry and birth. There are so many in our lives whom we call family, who are not blood relatives, and we are excited to add to that number with a child.

Kyle is an engineer, specializing in the processes that make glass products and derivatives. She worked in factories until shortly after we met, transitioning into working remotely. She now leads a team she created to help monitor and improve manufacturing processes remotely. She has prospered in the face of adversity, bias, and being constantly called “Mr” or worse, “Kylie.” Her capacity for empathy and concern for others is deeper than for anyone else I’ve ever met. She is an avid reader, and multiple times per week I get a plot summary of the book(s) she has finished.

Intentionally involved in the community around us, Kyle is part of multiple groups – bible studies, crafting circles, book clubs, etc. As I’ve transitioned to a job that involves some travel, she has continued to blossom both her own friendships and sustain ours as a couple in my absence. She is a dedicated dog owner, constantly pushing me to take them for “just a quick walk” when it’s snowing sideways.

She grew up in central Ohio farm country (AKA the middle of nowhere) which resulted in a tight-knit family experience. She remains quite close with her family, even though we don’t live nearby. She talks on the phone with her mom often, shows me the highlights from the much-too-busy family text thread, and ensures her family is up-to-date on the comings and goings of our lives. She thrives in sustaining loving connections with both friends and family, something that will certainly enrich the life of a child.

Persevering through some tough experiences and learning a lot about himself in the process, Josh has worked hard to gain the necessary skills on the way to his career as a consultant. He has a fun-loving personality, is quick-witted, and always ready to make a joke. Josh enjoys showering me and those around us in love, often through planning elaborate feasts and joining with friends around a table.

Josh grew up in southeast Michigan, spending summers camping with family and building a group of close friends who remain strong fixtures in our lives today. He is often the one planning and initiating fun activities for us and for those friends. He takes great pleasure in hosting game nights and opening our home to family and friends. Josh is often the one encouraging play with the children and going along with little imaginations as they weave stories or make up new games. I love watching him host and seeing how much he cares for the big and little people around us.

He is also our trip planner, and finds the most interesting experiences. Josh pushes me to try new things and make memories together — opportunities that would never have happened if planning was up to me. Because of Josh, we piloted an ATV through the Arizona desert, flew in a helicopter (with no doors!) in Maui, and took a private plane ride over the coast of Lake Michigan. We can’t wait to add a child to all of the joy and wonder he creates.

Our house is a bit unique in that it is a split level with lots of character. There are four different levels, an attached apartment, and an inground pool! We have been here since 2025, and it already feels like our forever home. We love the space we have, both in the house and outside. The yard is big enough for our expansive garden, the pool is a great place to cool off in the summer time, and we live right across the street from the elementary school. We can’t wait to use the playground on a regular basis and be able to have easy access for walking to school.

Our neighborhood is a tight community with many sidewalks for walking dogs or riding bikes. There are treelined streets, little free libraries, and easy access to church, the public library, and our friend’s houses. We are really looking forward to adding a child to family walks and continuing to explore more parks and playgrounds in our area. 

Our community is a little village, one of many small suburbs that are close together. This brings the best of all these places within easy reach, whether it’s restaurants, parks, community events, or our favorite grocery stores. We’re also in easy reach of Detroit and all that the city has to offer. We enjoy making our way downtown for Broadway shows, sports games, or to try a new restaurant.

Most of Kyle’s family lives in the Columbus area, and we take trips to visit once a month, going to her parent’s house for family gatherings, or meeting somewhere for an adventure with the nieces and nephews. Kyle has three siblings, and her two sisters each have young children. It has been so rewarding being Aunt Kyle and Uncle Josh.

Josh’s family is local to Michigan, but his parents spend winters in Florida. We see them and his two older brothers throughout the year, mostly hanging out in his parent’s shady backyard or when Josh’s dad comes over to help with a house project. Josh’s family has been so supportive as we plan for adoption. 

Staying in regular contact, we respond to a very active family text chat and take long calls from both moms about the goings on of extended family members. We often video chat with our niece, although usually she is more interested in where the dogs and cats are at that moment than talking to us.

The village of people supporting us are friends we’ve made through church groups and involvement who have become family. We spend multiple nights a week in each other’s homes. They are the people with whom we spend holidays, celebrate milestones, and help with health issues, babysitting, or house projects.

When we picture our family with these friends, it’s nights spent around a fire with the kids playing in the yard or group birthday parties at the park. These people truly show up and do life together as couples, friends, and parents. They are already preparing to love another child as they join the village, too.

We are very active with something always going on. We use our camper from spring through fall, taking trips close to home and to far-off places. The dogs come along, as they do for many adventures.

We love visiting the history museum and historic buildings, often going for just a couple hours to catch the traveling exhibits, but not the crowds. We had our wedding reception there and it’s become one of our favorite places to take friends and family or just spend time together.

With our church, we volunteer around the Metro Detroit area, helping with community gardens and Christmas gift distributions. 

Josh enjoys video games, both the latest titles and games from his childhood. Kyle loves reading, often finishing 70 books throughout the year, on topics from biographies to science fiction, history, and romance. Together, we like playing board games, and as we are both pretty competitive, enjoy finding and learning a variety of games.

We enjoy walking the dogs, trying new recipes or restaurants, working on our house or yard, and watching TV series together. Fall Saturdays are for college football, and we have a healthy rivalry between the Buckeyes and Wolverines, making for some interesting weekends with plenty of banter when they play each other.

One of our favorite traditions is our fancy New Year’s Eve dinner. We invite friends over for homemade dinner and dessert, challenging ourselves to make something new each year, like lobster ravioli, beef wellington, and homemade ice cream. We’ve made a lot of memories over the years and had some really delicious meals! With our exchange students, we rang in the New Year using traditions from their country, including Spanish tradition of eating a dozen grapes.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about us. We are grateful for your loving heart and deep bravery as you consider an adoption plan. 

As parents, we will give a child unconditional love and acceptance, a good education, a healthy lifestyle, a close-knit family (biological and not), and an ethic of service, humility, faith, kindness, and strength.

We are accepting of whatever level of openness you would like in this adoption. Regardless of that decision, your child will know how much you love them and how much we love you. We will regularly be thanking God for you in our family prayer time – we’ve been doing this since before writing this book and will do so throughout the child’s entire life.

We have been intentional in preparing as best as we can and feel so excited for the moment we bring a little one home. We are grateful for you, as well, just as you are. We send our love, regardless of your decision.