Our Story
Updated: Jun 14, 2020
After years of struggling with infertility, we decided to take 40 days in spring 2019 to prayerfully reflect on the future of our family. We embraced this season to pause, rest, reconnect, and create some space for a new conversation. By Easter, we were ready to pursue adoption.
We have come to realize our desire to adopt is born of our experience of community over the last ten years. In each place we've called home--Maryland, North Carolina, DR Congo, and Minnesota--we've received the gift of true kinship beyond the bonds of genetics and biology. We have been the ones welcomed into new cultures and new homes. We have been loved like family. In light of this, adoption is our overwhelmingly clear next step.
We're pursuing open domestic infant adoption through CHLSS of Minnesota. Open, meaning we're open to having some kind of ongoing contact with our child's birth family. Domestic, meaning a child born within the US. We can't wait to welcome a child into our family and offer them a home of love and belonging. If you'd like to connect with us or learn more how you can help, click How You Can Help.
Meet Emily
From Kyle: No matter what she's doing or who she's with, Emily is caring, attentive, engaged, and organized. She's the kind of person people enjoy connecting with because she's deep, interesting, easy to talk to and has a surprisingly funny side. Emily does a very good job of taking care of herself, so that she can be present to others, and I've seen her demonstrate tremendous courage and compassion over the last ten years. This, combined with her strong sense of loyalty and responsibility, will make her an excellent mother.
Occupation: Pastor
You might be surprised to know: Emily is from Louisiana; she's mostly lost her accent but not her taste for a good crawfish boil, gumbo, or king cake.
Interests: collecting cookbooks, trying new recipes, biking, travel and exploring new places with Kyle, learning guitar, spending time with nieces and nephews, Christian theology, rich conversations
Meet Kyle
From Emily: Kyle has an insatiable curiosity to learn about the world and other people. He is a master researcher, sharp thinker, and a great mentor. I love his entrepreneurial spirit and the way he always asks me what I'm learning about. When I imagine him as a dad, I see him encouraging exploration and adventure in our children—whatever their interests may be. Kyle's patience, servant-heart, and encouraging presence is a daily gift to me and will be for our children as well.
Field: Theological Education and International Development
You might be surprised to know: Kyle does a pretty amazing Donald Duck impersonation.
Interests: discussing new ideas with friends, learning about and eating chocolate, reading The Economist, teaching at church, business strategies for social impact, Christian theology and ethics, working on projects with friends, and exploring the Twin Cities by bike