Occupation 

Insurance

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Hobby

Golfing, watching football, attending sporting events, Going to the opera/symphony/concerts & Traveling

Favorite Food

Steak, brisket & Mexican

Favorite Music

R&B, oldies, hip-hop, country & classical

Favorite Holiday

Christmas

Favorite Sport

Football

Occupation 

Nursing

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Hobby

Bowling, playing board games, bike riding, attending sporting events & trying new restaurants

Favorite Food

Sushi & Mexican

Favorite Music

Classic rock, oldies & music from the ‘80s 

Favorite Holiday

Christmas

Favorite Sport

Basketball

Our Story

We met in 2020 on an online dating app, and from our very first date at Top Golf, we knew there was something special between us. As we played, laughed, and got to know each other, we discovered our shared dream of marriage and starting a family. Over the next few weeks, our bond grew stronger, and by Christmas, we were celebrating together with Mark’s family.

Shortly after, we moved in together and began planning our future. In August 2021, during a family beach trip to Destin, Florida, Mark proposed, and we got engaged to be married!

In April 2022, we got married in a beautiful church ceremony surrounded by our families and closest friends. Our reception was filled with laughter, dancing, and unforgettable memories. Two weeks later, we set off on an incredible eight-day cruise to Key West and the Caribbean, where we rode horses on the beach, snorkeled in crystal-clear waters, and soaked in every moment of our dream honeymoon.

Our Home

Kristin purchased our home in 2014—a cozy, one-story, three-bedroom, two-bathroom house in a safe, family-friendly neighborhood. Our large, fenced-in backyard is perfect for play, and we’re excited to add a swing set or jungle gym in the future. Just two blocks away, there’s a brand-new playground and a community pool open during the summer.

Our home is a place filled with laughter and love. We often host friends and family for dinners, game nights, and cookouts, creating wonderful memories together. It’s the perfect place to raise a child, surrounded by a warm and welcoming community. Once our family expands, we plan to move to a larger house in the same area.

Our home is conveniently located within 30 minutes of several children friendly activities. Our city has a Children's Museum, a large Zoo, a children's waterpark, an Aquarium, Discovery Green, and live sporting events.

Living in a culturally diverse city, there is an opportunity to explore many different heritages and traditions. We are able to attend yearly festivals that celebrate the different ethnicities and cultures that help make up our city.

My parents have been married for 49 years and have created a strong foundation of faith and family. My sisters and I grew up attending church every Sunday, where I regularly sang and helped with the service. Our parents were always our biggest supporters, cheering us on at sporting events, choir concerts, and every milestone along the way.

Now that we’re grown, we’re closer than ever, and all live within 20 minutes of each other. We get together often to celebrate birthdays, holidays, and special occasions, making family time a priority. My sister Melissa lives with her husband and their two children, Christian (9) and Charlotte (6), while my sister Jessica has two children as well, Audrey (9) and Dillon (6).

We are deeply involved in our nieces’ and nephews’ lives, and they are beyond excited to welcome a new baby cousin. My parents, who adore being grandparents, can’t wait to shower another grandchild with love and create even more cherished family memories.

Kristin's Family

Family is very important to me. I am the oldest of two, with a younger sister who has a 17-year-old daughter excelling in both soccer and academics. Our parents provided us with a stable, loving home, instilling strong values, taking us to church on Sundays, and supporting us at our sporting events.

Although my parents live in different states—my mom and stepdad in Mississippi and my dad in Maryland—we stay closely connected through frequent trips and FaceTime calls. My mom and I share a special bond, and she visits every three months. I also make regular trips to Maryland to see my dad, where we enjoy Orioles games, fresh crabs, and the beautiful Baltimore Harbor view from his condo balcony.

I am also very close to my aunt and uncle, who live just five minutes away. Many of my cousins have children of their own, and we see them regularly, creating a strong and loving family network. Everyone is incredibly excited to welcome a new addition to the family, and we know this child will be surrounded by love, support, and endless cherished memories.

Mark & Kristin - A Look Into Our Life

Our Fur Babies

Lincoln is our 5-year-old yellow lab. Mark brought him home in March 2020 and was able to spend the next year and a half together while he worked from home during Covid. Lincoln is a happy and playful dog. He loves it when our nieces and nephews come over and throw the ball for him in the backyard. His favorite thing to do is go on walks, especially in the fall and winter, when he can visit the field and chase after birds and rabbits.

We have two 5-year-old cats, Lukey & Claire, whom Kristin adopted at 4 months old. Claire is very friendly, loves to be held and petted, and loves all the attention. Lukey loves to sit in the windowsill and look at the birds outside. They also enjoy lounging in their treehouse and taking long naps. They love chasing their little balls & toy mice and getting treats.

Family Tradition

Our family traditions bring us together throughout the year. We always celebrate birthdays as a family, and for holidays, we take turns hosting while everyone contributes a favorite dish.

At Thanksgiving with Mark’s family, we start the day with breakfast at his parents’ house, where his mom bakes a special bread for each family. His dad gifts a unique ornament to every grandchild and woman in the family. We alternate Thanksgiving and Christmas between both sides of the family.

Every December, my cousin Ben and his wife Ally host a Christmas party with White Elephant and gift exchanges. On Christmas Eve, Mark’s family makes chocolate or cheese fondue, and we end the night with a candlelight service.

We also love Halloween—trick-or-treating with our nieces and nephews and dressing up for our best friend’s annual karaoke party. These traditions help us stay close and make special memories together year after year.

Fun Times with Aunt & Uncle

We have an amazing relationship with our nieces, nephews and cousins. We attend their activities, whether it is a football, basketball, or soccer game, a karate match, gymnastics or a school play. We love taking the kids to live sporting events where they can cheer on the Astros and Texans. We also love having them over for sleepover parties, where we play games such as Uno, Sorry, & Sequence. We enjoy taking them out to eat, and then out for ice cream. We also like making dinner at home, and then making brownies together. They love going on walks to the park or playing with Lincoln in the backyard. They are so excited for a new cousin to arrive and can’t wait to play with him or her!

Our Friends

Spending time with our friends is important to us. We get together to celebrate birthdays by going to the lake and renting a house for the weekend. As a group, we enjoy playing board games, bowling, and visiting local wineries. We enjoy traveling to East Texas to visit Mark’s college roommate, his wife and 4-year-old daughter. We enjoy swimming, grilling out and watching movies with them. Every year, our friends, Beth & JJ, host a Halloween party where everyone dresses up; we each bring a favorite appetizer & sing karaoke. I am very close with many of my co-workers. We get together on a regular basis to celebrate each other’s birthdays & during the holidays as well.