Dear Birth Mother,

Thank you so much for getting to know us as you make some big decisions. We have been ready and hopeful to start our lives as parents, and are so grateful for this ultimate opportunity you might extend to us. I hope, as you learn about us, you can imagine the type of life, and the amount of love, we offer as parents. Thank you for considering us and we wish you the very best in this journey.

Our Story

We met in October 2012, and quickly knew we’d found each other’s match. Similar upbringings, strong family bonds, and shared professional and life passions paved the way for marriage in May 2015. After living in DC and NYC, we now live in Iowa City, IA, with our dog, Hercules (Cuey). Kevin is in finance, and Hanne works at a nonprofit.

Our Path to Adoption

Family doesn’t need to be genetic. We believe adoption allows us to open our home and hearts to someone, and we cannot wait to do so. Kevin’s family has experience with adoption, and ever since being young Hanne has wanted to pursue this route to parenthood.

Our Parenting Philosophy

We will create a home of love, support, acceptance, and engagement. We will know our kids and celebrate their interests. We will be there when they need us, and they will always know they’re our #1 priority (on every day, at every age). Our kids will be encouraged to try new things -- sports, music, youth clubs like the Scouts. This will be a safe home, celebrating success and together working through challenges. Our kids will see the world and learn about other cultures. Our kids will go to church, like we do, but be encouraged to ask questions, like we did. Our kids will know where they came from, and feel loved every single day because you wanted this for them.

Kevin grew up in a loving household with two loving, intelligent, and devoted parents. He is the first of their four children, which brought blessings and challenges. His sisters helped shape him into who he is today. As a child and young adult, Kevin was quite active with many activities. He participated in many organized groups, including playing sports (soccer, baseball, and basketball), the Cub / Boy Scouts, and Christian youth group. He also enjoyed being outdoors (going camping, going to the park, mowing the lawn) and played musical instruments (piano, saxophone, and guitar).

Hanne remembers being a jack of all trades: girlscouts, taekwondo, soccer, sunday school, and later in life -- cello, cheerleading, and YoungLife. Her first job was at an ice-cream shop, and despite her busy schedule she always did well in school. Kevin & Hanne have returned to Hanne’s hometown, and she’s excited to raise our children with similar memories of hiking Hickory Hill, going apple picking at Wilson’s Orchard, and learning to roller skate at the local community center.

The broad theme of both of our upbringings is around love, support, and space to pursue interests and being encouraged to excel, yet enjoy, each of them. If we are lucky enough to adopt your child, we would impart those same learnings, teachings, and values upon a child that we would love, adore, and support forever.

Favorite Family Traditions

• Family dinner; no matter how busy people are, every night sitting at the table together to talk about their days. Remember, no singing at the table!

• Baking together, either before a big family dinner or on a rainy weekend day

• Movie marathons; whether star wars or harry potter, we always fill the couch with favorite people in pajamas

• For Hanne, it’s German traditional Christmas Eve; For Kevin, it’s sloppy joes before Midnight Mass, and presents in the AM!

• Kevin grew up with going to summer baseball games involving the whole family; we might have to switch to minor leagues, but plan to continue this love of the game!

• Hanne’s family is big into bowling. Not well, mind you. But bowling nonetheless.

Us, As Kids

What Kevin Loves About Hanne:

Hanne is such a wonderful person that its almost impossible to put into words, but I will give it a try. If asked for five words to describe her, I would say she is caring, supportive, intelligent, curious, and - most of all - loving. Knowing her wit, I’m not sure I want to know what she would say about me.

When I met Hanne, I knew she was not only the one for me, but the woman that would be the perfect person to start a family with. Seeing the way she takes care of our nephews and nieces, I know she will be a fantastic mother.

She inspires me to try new things, take new adventures, and be a better person every day. These qualities will create a positive formative environment for our child. I cannot wait to start the parenting adventure with her.

• Traveling (& eating international foods!)

• Cooking shows & stress baking• Her job, which she works really hard at• Anything German, where her mother

is from

• Reading (especially crime books & mysteries, but she’s a sucker for Harry Potter)

• Really long walks and exploring• Singing loudly, and badly, along with

the radio• Photobooths

Hanne’s Favorite Things:

What Hanne Loves About Kevin:

Kevin is kind, generous, smart, and so, so unexpectedly funny. A devoted family man, it’s amazing to watch him around kids, playing and helping them with their projects. As a partner, I am so grateful for how he’s always finding ways to make me feel strong and capable, pushing me to try harder but also assuring me that I’m already enough.

One of my favorite things about Kevin is his ability to express his emotions: love letters on my pillow or in my suitcase, conversations on the couch, slow dancing in the living room -- I always know how he’s feeling and it creates the foundation for such a healthy relationship. I know that as a father he would bring all of this into the family.

• Hockey, particularly the Washington Capitals & Nationals (but he’s learning to adjust to midwest teams)

• Cooking, Grilling, and Dinner Parties with friends & family

• Fundraising for Movember, a charity supporting Men’s Health

• Photography, of every day fun and their travels around the world (and forcing his images to do jazz hands)

• Golf with Hanne’s dad, and catch with nephew Colby

Kevin’s Favorite Things:

A bit about our lives….

Our lives are filled with blessings, both at home and abroad. No matter where we’re at, Kevin’s making Hanne laugh, and Hanne’s making Kevin try new things.

Traveling has been a great joy of ours, and we can’t wait to share the world with our child. Together we’ve been to countries in Europe, Africa, and Asia, as well as across the U.S.

Although we met and married in Washington, DC, and spent some time in NYC, we now live in Iowa, just down the street from Hanne’s parents. We own a 3 bedroom home with a large yard, just 2 houses down from a small park and close to a top elementary school. We live by walking trails and a dog park, and are just a short bike ride from the best ice cream store in town (where Hanne’s first job was!). It is a great university town, with a wonderful public library, outside music & arts festivals, activities for kids of all ages, and top schools in the state.

Our Families

Family is so important to us. Blessed with tight families (Hanne has 2 sisters, Kevin has 3), we know we wouldn’t be the people we are today without their support, guidance, and love. We hope to have other children and raise your baby with the same fun havers and role models we had.

This child will be so loved, not only by us but by our families (near and far, blood and created). We have sisters & spouses, nieces & nephews, and parents who will all cherish this child. And we have the best friends in our lives, who will serve as great aunts/uncles, and who’s kids will grow up alongside ours. Hanne’s mom is a nurse turned professor of nursing at a local college, and her father, who was a child psychologist, is currently semi-retired and pursuing his hobbies of cello, landscaping, and making the perfect spaghetti sauce. Still married, they live on the other side of town. Hanne’s sisters both live a few hours away, giving Hanne & Kevin plenty of time with their nephews (7&5 year old boys). Kevin’s mother is a preK-8 principal of a catholic private school and incredibly active in the community, past jobs also include being a lawyer and a teacher. Kevin’s dad passed 10 years ago, but was an army serviceman turned U.S. Government employee, and left an amazing legacy of what a father and husband should be. Kevin’s family, including his sisters and aunt, live in the DC area.

This is Hercules (Cuey), our 3 year old Boston Terrier. She’s a nut. Loves people and is very gentle with children, she spends most of her time devotedly following Hanne or napping in the sun. She sometimes goes into the office and has no problems dressing up.

Thank you so much for taking the time to get to know us. We wish you comfort and support as you consider your options, and hope to speak further with you about the type of home we would offer.