Welcome! Meet:

Jared + Nicole

Elementary Teacher / Junior High Math Teacher

Missouri

Caucasian

Christian

All About Jared & Nicole
Why Adoption?
Gallery
Family and Home
How We Met
Advice to Future Child
Perspectives on Open Adoption
Favorites

All About Jared & Nicole

Jared grew up in a very loving and close family. He is the middle child, with an older brother and a younger sister. He is 26 years old and currently works as a second grade teacher. Jared has always loved jobs that involve helping/teaching children. When he was younger he worked in his church’s Sunday School where he helped teach bible lessons. As a teenager, he was part of the leadership team for his youth group, where he was very hands on with student development. Jared knew he wanted to be a teacher when he grew up, and while he was at college, he met his beautiful wife Nicole. Currently, along with teaching Jared is also a head volleyball coach with a regional club team. He has been involved with sports his entire life, and loves to help grow athletes as well as students.

Nicole is a compassionate, and dedicated junior high teacher who has a deep love for family, faith, and making a positive difference in the lives of others. Growing up in a northern suburb of Chicago with her parents, a younger sister and brother, Nicole learned early on the importance of family support, kindness, and resilience. In 2016, Nicole moved to southeast Missouri to attend college, where she met her husband, Jared, and fell in love with the area she now calls home. Teaching has become her passion, and she values the impact she has on young lives. Known for her patience and commitment to her students, Nicole enjoys helping them grow in confidence and character. Faith is at the center of Nicole’s life, guiding her values and decisions. On weekends, Nicole shares her artistic side by teaching crafting classes at a locally owned studio called Board & Brush. In her spare time, Nicole enjoys reading, swimming, and traveling.

Why Adoption?

When Jared was in fourth grade his parents sat him down and told him that they were adopting his sister from Guatemala. He had never heard of this place, and all of his friends who had little brothers and sisters had all been born to their parents. However, everything changed when his parents returned home from their trip with his new sister. It didn’t matter that she looked a little different from him, or that she had not come from his mom. All that did matter was that she was his sister and he loved her. From that day on, Jared always knew that, when he grew up, he would follow in his parents' footsteps and adopt. When Jared met Nicole, it was actually she who said that she would like to adopt instead of having their own biological child, and Jared was delighted to join her in this new journey.

For them, adoption is about opening their hearts and home to a child who needs love, stability, and support. Nicole has always dreamed of being a mother, but she’s never felt the need to have biological children when there are so many in the world who need a family. She’s driven by a deep desire to provide a loving home to a child who deserves to feel safe, cherished, and valued. Adoption is their way of creating the family they’ve always dreamed of, while also giving a child the love and care they need to thrive. It’s not just about growing their family—it’s about sharing their lives and hearts with a child who will be so deeply loved.

Family & Home

The month we got married in July 2022 was unforgettable for more than one reason—it was also the month we purchased our first home! Nestled in the heart of the historic district in our town, our house immediately felt like the perfect place to begin our married life together. Its charm and character set it apart from all the other homes around it, making it truly one of a kind. What makes our home even more special is its location—it’s on the same street as the college where we met and share so many memories! Every time we pass by, it’s a sweet reminder of where our story began. Just across the street is a large park where we actually had our first date. It’s perfect for picnics, walks, or watching a baseball game. Our neighborhood is close to downtown which means we can easily walk to grab ice cream and enjoy the peaceful beauty of the Mississippi River. From the moment we moved in, we fell in love with the details that make our home special. We have a fenced in backyard with big rocks we can picture our future children playing on.

Jared grew up in a large and loving family. His parents currently live and work in the St. Louis area. Jared and Nicole visit them frequently for holidays and special occasions. Jared’s parents are just counting the days until they can welcome a new grandchild into their lives. Jared’s brother currently lives in Columbia, Missouri, where he has built an amazing life with his wife and three kids. When they are in town for a visit, Jared, Nicole, his brother, and his sister-in-law love to catch up over a board game. Jared also has a sister named Anna who is currently living in the same town as Nicole and Jared and goes to the same college that they went to. She also wants to become a teacher and has a great love for children.

Nicole’s parents currently live in Florida, but they’ve already shared their exciting plan to move to Missouri as soon as Nicole and Jared adopt so they can be close to their first grandchild. Knowing how much they’re looking forward to being nearby fills Nicole and Jared’s hearts with joy. Nicole’s sister lives in North Carolina and stays in close touch through regular video calls. Her brother, on the other hand, is much closer—he lives in the same town as them in Missouri. Like them, he attended the same college and fell in love with the area. Having him nearby has been such a blessing, whether it’s for quick visits or impromptu game nights. Between video chats, phone calls, and family gatherings, there’s never a shortage of love and laughter. The holidays are particularly special, as we all make a point to come together and celebrate as a family. One of their favorite traditions is spending the summers at Nicole’s family’s lake house in Wisconsin. Every 4th of July weekend, her extended family gathers there for a big celebration. They spend the days swimming in the lake, watching fireworks light up the night sky, playing games, and roasting s’mores by the fire. It’s a tradition they hold dear and look forward to sharing with children someday. Nicole’s family is warm, welcoming, and full of love. They can’t wait to embrace their newest member, and they’re so excited for the memories they’ll create together as a growing family.

How others describe me

All about Jared from Nicole: Early on in our relationship, I realized that Jared was one of the most selfless people I had ever known. He constantly sees the best in every situation and puts others’ needs above his own, always willing to lend a hand or a listening ear. Watching him with our foster children has only deepened my love and admiration for him. He is patient, playful, and endlessly compassionate, showing me every day the kind of father he is destined to be. His love and kindness make our home a warm, safe place, and I am beyond grateful to walk through this journey with such a wonderful partner by my side.

All about Nicole from Jared: Nicole has the most gentle and loving heart of anyone that I have ever met. When we first started out in college, we were just friends who did everything together, and now that we are married, she continues to be my best friend. Nicole is especially kind-hearted when it comes to babies and animals. This was one of the things that first drew me to her. At every family and friend function, if there is a baby around, she will hold it and make it smile until someone tells her it is time to go. Nicole’s amazing heart is what keeps me going day in and day out.

How We Met

Our story began in August 2016, during our freshman year of college. Fate had us living on the same floor designated for future educators, and it didn’t take long for us to become close friends. We shared a love for teaching, countless laughs, late nights playing cards, and a growing bond that became the foundation of something special. After a year of friendship, we took the leap and started dating in 2017 during our sophomore year. College life brought its own challenges, but navigating them together made us stronger. We graduated hand-in-hand, ready to take on the world, and in June of 2021, Jared proposed—a joyful moment that marked the next chapter of our story. We were married in July of 2022, surrounded by our loved ones.

As educators, we poured our hearts into teaching and initially worked in separate school districts. In time, an opportunity arose for Jared to join Nicole’s district, and he eagerly made the switch. Now, we get to carpool together, share days off, and cheer each other on in our shared passion for education. Our family grew in February 2023 when we adopted a sweet cat named Basil, who has brought so much joy, laughter, and snuggles into our home. We adore her and couldn’t imagine life without her playful antics and loving purrs. In October 2024, a unique and life-changing opportunity came our way. Our principal, knowing our hearts were open to adoption, approached us about three students who needed a temporary home while their mother worked to create a safe environment for them. Without hesitation, we said yes. Welcoming these children into our lives was a transformative experience. Together, we created a warm and loving home filled with memories, from bedtime stories to family dinners. Parenting these children, even temporarily, deepened our love and strengthened our bond as a team. It reminded us of the profound joy that comes from nurturing and supporting a child. Their presence in our lives reaffirmed our dream of building a family through adoption, and we carry the lessons they taught us close to our hearts. We are so excited for the next chapter and can’t wait to welcome a child into our family forever.

Advice to Future Child

You are not our child by chance, but by choice—a decision made with endless love, hope, and purpose. We may not share the same blood, but we share something even stronger: a bond built on unconditional love and commitment. There may come a time when you have questions about your story, and that’s okay—your journey is your own, and we will always walk it with you. Never doubt that you are wanted, cherished, and meant to be exactly where you are—with us, your forever family.

Perspectives on Open Adoption

We want nothing more than to provide a child with a safe, loving, and stable home—but we’ll admit, the idea of open adoption makes us a little nervous. We’ve worked with a birth mother before while fostering and have seen boundaries become unclear, and where she struggled with consistency or personal challenges that complicated the relationship. Our biggest fear is unintentionally creating confusion or emotional strain for a child who’s just trying to grow up feeling secure. That said, we’re not closed to open adoption—we just believe it needs to be built on mutual trust, clear communication, and a shared commitment to the child’s well-being. With the right birth mother—someone who values respect, honesty, and healthy boundaries—we believe an open adoption can be a beautiful partnership.

Favorites

Jared

Favorite Movie: Harry Potter
Favorite Holiday/Tradition: Christmas
Hobbies/Interests: volleyball, coaching, cooking, and hanging out with friends and family
Dream Vacation: Hawaii
If I Could Choose a Superpower: flight

Nicole

Favorite Movie: Harry Potter
Favorite Holiday/Tradition: Going to the lake house for the 4th of July with my whole extended family each year
Hobbies/Interests: reading, swimming, going on walks outside, and hanging out with our sweet cat Basil
Dream Vacation: New Zealand
If I Could Choose a Superpower: teleportation