Family is at the center of everything we do. Our greatest priority is nurturing the relationships we have with our loved ones and creating a home filled with warmth, stability and joy. We believe in showing up for the people we care about, whether that means celebrating life's big moments together, offering a listening ear during tough times or lending a helping hand whenever it's needed.

We make it a point to stay closely connected with both of our immediate and extended families and often gather for meals, Sunday football games, family traditions and simple quality time. Supporting our loved ones isn't just something we do--it's who we are. We value being part of a strong, dependable support system and we know that same commitment with extend naturally to our future child.

Our priority will always be to provide a loving environment where our child feels safe, cherished and encouraged, while also knowing that they have a large circle of family and friends ready to support them every step of the way.

One of Holly's greatest strengths is her ability to create a warm, welcoming environment where people feel cared for and valued. She's a natural nurturer, attentive to the needs of others and always ready to lend a helping hand or a listening ear. She's highly organized, which keeps our lives running smoothly and makes it easy to create memorable experiences for family and friends.

Jim's strengths lie in his calm, steady nature and his ability to problem-solve under pressure. He approaches challenges with patience and a positive attitude, always looking for a solution rather than dwelling on the problem. His sense of humor and easy-going personality make him someone people naturally gravitate towards.

Our community sits along the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan, halfway between Milwaukee and Chicago. It's a peaceful, small-town setting with the bonus of being close to big-city adventures.

We built our forever home in 2023 with family in mind with big windows for watching the seasons change, a dining space perfect for family dinners and plenty of room for friends to gather. The house sits on 10 acres of wooded farmland that has been in Jim's family since the 1800s, so it's filled with history, memories and love. We were even married here!

One of our favorite things about living here is being surrounded by family. Jim's parents live right next door, just like he grew up living next to his grandparents. We can't wait for our future child to share that same experience of running over for a hug or sneaking in for Grandma's cookies. The rest of our extended family is within 20 minutes, making Sunday dinners, game nights and holiday traditions a regular part of life.

Our rural home also gives us front-row seats to the wonders of nature. We've had birthday parties paused just to watch nine deer grazing in the yard, seen triplet fawns exploring in spring and enjoyed turkeys proudly strutting across the grass before their chicks scurry after them.

It's a home and community full of love, laughter, and connection which is perfect for a child to surrounded by people who adore them and a place that invites curiosity, play and belonging.

Our families are a huge part of our lives and they're not just supportive, they're all in when it comes to helping us become parents. Jim's parents, "Grandma and Grandpa P," live right next door to us and are always ready with hugs, fresh baked goods and stories that make everyone laugh. Holly's parents, "Grandma and Grandpa R," also live nearby and are the kind of people who drop everything to help, whether it's cooking Sunday dinner, checking in on our pets or helping set up for a family party.

We are very lucky that both our families get along and celebrate holidays, Sunday Packer games and random cookouts together all throughout the year.

Every Thanksgiving we host both sides of our family in our home for a wonderful day of football, food and family. Jim cooks the turkeys on his smoker grill and Holly makes way more food than we need--including Jim's grandmother's roll recipe.

We have a big 4th of July party every year for our family and friends, complete with our own fireworks display, glowsticks, ice cream treats and a huge potluck of delicious food. We love seeing the joy on everyone's faces as kids run around the yard, waiting for the fireworks to begin.

Both sides of our family are thrilled about our adoption journey. They can't wait to welcome a child into this big, loving, always-laughing crew — a place where they'll be cherished, encouraged, and surrounded by people who will love them forever.

Hi, we're Holly and Jim. Before we say anything else, we just want to thank you for taking the time to read our letter. We know you're making one of the most important and emotional decisions of your life and we want you to know that we see your strength, your courage and that love is guiding you.

We've been together for twelve years and have been married for ten. Our relationship is built on trust, laughter and showing up for each other no matter what life throws our way. We dreamed early on about becoming parents but our path to building a family has been different than we imagined. After years of trying to have a child, we realized adoption was the way that our story was meant to grow. This isn't a second-best option for us...this is the way we believe we were meant to become parents.

In 2023, we built our forever home on land that has been in Jim's family for generations. It's surrounded by tree, wildlife and plenty of open space for a child to run, play and explore. Jim's parents live a short walk away--just next door! The rest of our family lives close by. We picture weekends filled with cousin sleepovers, grandparents popping in for dinner and summer nights chasing lightning bugs in the yard.

Our home is warm and welcoming with a big kitchen perfect for baking cookies. We have a cozy living room perfect for movie nights. There's plenty of room for toys, crafts and adventures. We can't wait to fill the space with the sounds of little feet and laughter.

If we are lucky enough to become parents through adoption, our child will grow up surrounded by love, not just by us but from an entire circle of family and friends who can't wait to welcome them. We will raise them to be kind, confident and compassionate. We'll encourage them to dream big and help them discover their talents and passions.

One thing that is very important to us is that your child will always know their story. We'll talk openly about adoption from the beginning so that it's a natural and celebrated part of who they are. They will know that their story began with the love and selflessness of their birth family.

We promise to send letters and pictures so you can see your child grow and thrive. If you're comfortable, we are open to more--emails, phone calls and even visits. We want you to have the relationship that feels right for you. We understand that your feelings may change as time goes on and want you to know that we will be flexible and understanding at what level of communication you need at any given time.

As a couple, we balance each other's strengths. Holly is warm, creative and planning little surprises or special traditions. Jim is patient, calm and great at solving problems. Together we're a team that supports each other and faces challenges with a sense of humor. We know that these qualities will guide us as parents.

We don't take lightly what we are asking of you. Choosing parents for your child is a personal and profound decision. If you choose us, we will love your child with our whole hearts every single day. We will keep them safe, teach them, encourage them and surround them with joy. They will always, always know how loved they are by us, by our families and by you.

Thank you for considering us and letting us share a little bit of our story with you. Whatever path you choose, we wish you peace and comfort as you move forward.

With love,

Jim & Holly