Thank you for taking the time to get to know us. We hope you’ve seen the love we share and the family we dream of building.
Please know we are praying for you, your child and everyone involved in this journey. We hope you find peace, comfort and confidence in whatever path you choose.
About Us
Our story began 17 years ago when a mutual friend introduced us at Bourbon Street on Chicago’s South Side. What started as an unexpected setup quickly became the beginning of something special. A few years later, Dan asked Megan’s parents for their blessing before proposing on New Year’s Eve during a game of Apples to Apples. We were married at St. Patrick Church in Lemont, and this October, we’ll celebrate 12 wonderful years of marriage.
Over the years, we’ve built a life centered on love, laughter, adventure and perseverance. From taking a spontaneous hike into the Grand Canyon with two bottles of water and a lot of determination, to buying a fixer-upper home and transforming it into the warm, welcoming place we call home today, we’ve learned that the best memories often come from tackling life’s challenges together.
One of our greatest challenges came when we faced infertility. Rather than letting it define us, we chose to focus on what we could control by prioritizing our health and well-being. We signed up for the Chicago Spring Half Marathon, and what began as a single goal turned into a lasting lifestyle of healthy eating, regular exercise and encouraging one another to be our best. Looking back, that season strengthened our relationship and reinforced what we’ve always known: We’re at our best when we’re working together.
We are more grateful than ever for the life we’ve built together and excited to share that love, stability and sense of adventure with a child.
About Megan
Growing up in Lemont, Illinois, I was encouraged to be creative, curious and hardworking from an early age. Today, I’m fortunate to share those same values as a high school art teacher, where I’ve spent more than a decade helping students build confidence, express themselves and discover their unique talents. I hope to one day encourage that same creativity, curiosity and love of learning in a child of our own.
Why Megan Will Be an Amazing Mom, by Dan
Over the past 17 years, I’ve watched Megan become the kind of person who gives her whole heart to the people she loves. She is compassionate, thoughtful and incredibly resilient. Whether it’s returning to graduate school, completing the Boston Marathon or navigating our infertility journey with hope and grace, she faces life’s challenges with determination and optimism.
Megan has always dreamed of being a mom. She looks forward to the everyday moments — reading bedtime stories, family trips to the zoo, exploring the outdoors, teaching new skills and creating traditions that will become lasting memories. She has a remarkable way of making people feel loved and cared for, and I see it every day in the little things she does for me. Without question, I know she will be an amazing mother, and I feel incredibly lucky to build our family with her.
About Dan
Growing up on the south side of Chicago, I learned the importance of honesty, kindness and hard work from my family. Sports, summers in Michigan with my cousins and time spent outdoors helped shape my love for teamwork, family traditions and making the most of life’s simple moments. Those experiences continue to influence the person I am today.
I work from home as a Controls Engineer, a career that I enjoy because it challenges me to solve problems while also giving me the flexibility to be present for my family. Whether I’m tackling a project around the house, exploring a new hiking trail or teaching a child how to build or fix something, I look forward to sharing those experiences. My hope is to raise a child who is curious, confident, kind and always knows they are deeply loved and supported.
Why Dan Will Be an Amazing Dad, by Megan
From the day I met Dan, I knew he was someone special. Over the past 17 years, he has been my biggest supporter, my best friend and the person I can always count on. He is kind, dependable, hardworking and has an incredible ability to make me laugh, even on the hardest days.
One of the things I admire most about Dan is the way he cares for the people he loves. Throughout our infertility journey, graduate school and marathon training, he stood beside me with unwavering patience, encouragement and compassion. He also loves working with his hands and can’t wait to teach a child how to build, fix and create things while encouraging them to be curious and confident. I know he’ll be the kind of dad who is present for every milestone, cheers the loudest from the sidelines and fills our home with laughter, love and unwavering support.
Our Family
Family has always been at the heart of our lives. Between the two of us, we have a large, close-knit extended family filled with parents, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles and children of all ages. Many of our favorite memories come from family gatherings, holiday traditions, summer vacations and simply spending time together. Although some of our family members now live in different parts of the country, we make it a priority to stay connected and visit often.
Our family also included our chocolate Labrador, Chip, who was by our side for nearly 12 years. He filled our home with laughter, unconditional love and countless happy memories. After Chip passed away, we began bringing his favorite gingerbread toy with us on our travels. It has now joined us on adventures to 18 National Parks and serves as a special reminder that the ones we love are always with us. While Chip will always hold a special place in our hearts, we hope to one day welcome another dog into our home to grow alongside our family.
A child joining our family will be surrounded by love, encouragement, meaningful traditions and a strong network of family and friends who can’t wait to welcome them.
Our Home
We live on a quiet, dead-end street in a welcoming neighborhood in unincorporated Lemont, Illinois, where friendly neighbors and nearby parks make it a wonderful place to raise a family. Our three-bedroom home sits on a half-acre lot and has been lovingly renovated with our future family in mind, including a bedroom that we’ve set aside to become our future nursery. We enjoy spending time outdoors on the nearby bike trails and at Waterfall Glen, as well as exploring our charming downtown. Megan’s parents recently retired to St. Pete Beach, Florida, where they always have a room waiting for us, giving us another special place to make family memories together.
Why Adoption
Building a family has always been our dream, and adoption has been part of that dream since early in our relationship. After learning we were unable to have biological children, we spent time reflecting and praying, and we ultimately felt at peace knowing that adoption was the path meant for us. While our journey wasn’t what we originally expected, it strengthened our relationship, deepened our faith and reminded us that family is built through love. We are incredibly grateful to be on this journey and excited to welcome a child into our hearts and home.
Our Hope for Open Adoption
The more we learned about open adoption, the more we knew it was something we wholeheartedly embraced. We hope to build a relationship rooted in love, trust, honesty and mutual respect, one where our child always knows their story and the incredible love that surrounds them. We would be honored to celebrate your child’s heritage and the connection you share, while working together in whatever way feels most comfortable for everyone involved.
