We want to start by thanking you for reading about our family. We know that this is a difficult time for you and we are grateful that you are taking the time to learn more about us. No matter the decision you make, we hope that you feel loved and supported.

About Us

We met in 2016 through an online dating app. We got married in 2021 and moved back to the Chicago suburbs in 2022. We both enjoy outdoor activities together like climbing and hiking. Most days include walks with our two dogs, Otis and Ollie. At home, we love spending time outside or cooking a homemade meal together.

We have always yearned to become parents and have talked about it often. Our hope is to parent a child in a safe and loving home, filled with fun and laughter.

Why Adoption

We are unable to have biological children, but adoption has long been part of how we’ve imagined growing our family. Jeff’s niece, Elsa, was adopted, and she has always known her story. Her biological mother remains a part of her life, and Jeff’s sister honors the level of openness that feels right for everyone involved.

Seeing that relationship has given us a glimpse into how beautiful and unique open adoption can be. We understand that everyone’s comfort level is different, and we’re committed to honoring the kind of connection and communication that feels right for you.

About Jeff

Jeff is a chemical engineer who has specialized in sustainable technologies for nearly a decade. Jeff has always put a high priority in his education, graduating first in his class for his bachelor’s degree. He used his masters degree in chemical engineering to help get his current role in research and development. Jeff has multiple patents and works hard, but puts a high priority on making sure he spends lots of time with family and friends.

Jeff loves trying new foods, something that amazes his friends and family who knew how picky he was as a kid. He also has a reputation for loving spicy and garlicky food, which he’s loved even as a kid.

Jeff has known he wanted to be a father for a long time, and is often seen at family gatherings playing with his niece and cousin’s son.

About Kara

Kara is a project manager and has worked in the healthcare industry for almost a decade. While working, she went back to get her masters degree in business and later for her Project Management Professional (PMP) certificate.

Kara prioritizes family and friends and makes sure they feel loved. She checks-in with others on a regular basis and supports them through any highs or lows. Kara enjoys learning and challenging herself to new hobbies. During COVID, Kara started taking piano lessons again. More recently, she started baking sourdough bread and learning Polish.

Kara has wanted to adopt from a young age and already takes on a motherly role with her youngest sister. She loves spending time with her friends’ children and can’t wait until she has a child of her own.

Jeff’s Family

Jeff has visited his parents almost every weekend since moving out after college. He got his love of gardening from his mom, Roni, and his playful sense of humor from his dad, Art. We often visit Jeff’s sister Sara, brother-in-law Dave and niece Elsa at their house in Chicago. They hosted our wedding ceremony in their backyard, and even cooked all the food! Elsa loves going to trampoline parks and having sleepovers at our house.

Kara’s Family

Kara got her strong sense of compassion from her mom, Kathy, and her competitiveness and love of sports from her dad, Tom. Kara has two sisters: Tricia, who lives in Oregon, and Ali, who lives in Chicago. Kara talks to both sisters on a weekly basis. Kara and Ali share a love of reading and enjoy game nights together. Kara travels to Oregon at least once a year to visit Tricia. In Oregon, they enjoy taking hikes together and walking Tricia’s dog, Enzo.

Otis & Ollie

We have two adopted dogs, Otis & Ollie, who aren’t brothers but certainly get mistaken for them. They love chasing each other across the house and yard, and play well together with toys. The pups love going on hikes, and we’ve taken them on multiple trips to Wisconsin. Both dogs love kids; Ollie loves to be chased by my niece, and Otis loves cuddling up against her on the couch. Our dogs love meeting new people, and Ollie makes sure everyone gets plenty of kisses before leaving.

Thoughts on Parenting

While open adoption is our desire, we want to be mindful of your needs and wants. Our communication could include photos, letters and visits — whatever is most comfortable for you. If you need more time before starting communication and visits, we’ll save regular updates for whenever you’re ready. We hope to have our future child enrolled in sports when they’re younger, plan to take them on hikes and start reading to them from a young age. We want our child to be able to determine their own beliefs, and hope to support them in their learning and decision making.

We Promise:

• To show your child unconditional love
• To hold space for your role in your child’s story and honor it with care and respect
• To ensure they will know you and their story
• To fill their life with joy and adventures
• To encourage their curiosity for new things
• To help them achieve whatever they set their mind to
• To encourage kindness and confidence
• To create a home where they feel they belong, are loved and cared for