How others describe me

Written by Emily: Joe is the friend who is always planning fun trips and events. He has a gift for bringing people together and making sure that everyone has a great time. Joe plans a Christmas party every year called “Christmas Jam,” where he and his musically inclined friends play Christmas music live in our living room. He invites all of our friends to listen to the music, eat good food and enjoy each other’s company. It is a gathering that so many people look forward to each holiday season. This past year, Miles was able to join for the first time and even got on the microphone playing the harmonica! Joe just wants people to be happy and have fun. This character trait also happens to make him the most fun and caring dad in the world. He is always taking Miles to do fun things whether it is bowling, swimming, hiking or fishing. The two of them always come home with fun stories about their adventures together. 

In addition to being an amazing husband and father, Joe is also a dedicated teacher. He teaches high school math in an inner-city school. He makes connections with each of his students and encourages them to try their best and be their best selves. He has taken me and Miles to sporting events and drama club performances that his students are in–cheering them on even outside of the classroom. 

Joe puts 100 percent into everything he does and this passion is clear in his desire to expand our family through adoption. I promise that your child would always feel safe, loved and special with Joe as their dad.

Written by Joe: Emily is the heart and soul of our family. From the moment we met, she captivated me with her kindness, compassion, and infectious humor. Beyond that initial impression, her deep love for family stood out. She constantly thinks of ways to bring family together--inviting her parents over for a weeknight dinner or suggesting a quick weekend trip upstate to see our niece and nephew. Emily has an ability to turn ordinary moments into unforgettable adventures, always bringing joy and fun to our lives. 

Whether she is cheering Miles on at soccer or surprising him in class with a story, Emily’s love shines through in everything she does. I feel incredibly fortunate to have her as my partner. 

In addition to being an incredible wife and mom, Emily is a Middle School Counselor. In her role, she makes a profound impact on students navigating the hardest years of adolescence. 

When you ask Miles what he loves most about having Emily as his mom, his eyes light up as he says he “loves everything about her” – from the nightly stories before bed to the morning cuddles that kick off our days. He often tells me how “happy he is that we are a family”. Emily is already an amazing mom, and I have no doubt she will be an incredible mother of two.