Occupation 

Healthcare Supply Chain

Education

Some College (5 years)

Hobby

Cooking & home projects

Favorite Family Activity

Hanging out in the backyard

Favorite Food

Texas style BBQ

Favorite Holiday

Thanksgiving

Favorite Place to Travel

Kauai, HI

Our Story

We met on a dating app just as we were both about to give up on online dating. Michael told his friends he’d give it “one last try” and decided to meet me for dinner. That night, I was struck by his honesty, openness, and desire for a serious relationship—something I hadn’t seen in others. By the end of the date, we both felt something special beginning.

Early on, we introduced each other to our beloved pets, who had been with us most of our adult lives—it felt like introducing our kids for approval. As we continued dating, we bonded over our shared love for family and our dream of having children one day.

We got engaged in the summer of 2020 and began planning a fall wedding, but the pandemic quickly changed our plans. We scaled back our guest list to keep everyone safe and focused on having our closest loved ones with us. It turned out to be a beautiful fall day full of Texas sunshine. We were married in our church and held the reception at my parents’ ranch before they sold it. It was a memorable day that flew by, and we’re so grateful we were able to safely celebrate with the people we love most.

Izzy is the light of our lives and brings joy to everyone she meets. She’s happy and outgoing, greeting friends and strangers alike with a big smile and cheerful “Hi!” or “Bye-bye.”

Her personality is full of curiosity, determination, and a growing sense of humor. She loves being outside—hunting for snails, spotting airplanes, splashing in water, and collecting rocks. Swimming lessons are a weekly favorite, and she enjoys practicing her skills at the local pool.

At home, music is always playing, and Izzy loves to dance—hopping is her move of the moment. She has a sweet, caring nature and enjoys being around other kids, often following the “big kids” with admiration. Her joyful spirit and love for people make her an absolute treasure.

We stay in touch with Izzy’s birth mom through texts and photo updates and see her and Izzy’s half-siblings a few times a year. We cherish this relationship and are committed to making sure Izzy knows her adoption story and feels connected to her birth family.

Our Home

Our home is a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom house with an open concept living space. The backyard features a large deck with two dining areas and a fire pit, making it perfect for hosting family and friends. The spacious lawn is great for running and playing, and it's shaded by big trees to block the Texas sun. Izzy loves playing in the sprinkler, water table, and baby pool.

We live very close to a state park with fantastic hiking trails, swimming spots, splash pad, and plenty of picnic areas. Additionally, we're just a block away from an elementary school with a playscape and near a large shaded park that offers a playground, walking trail, and a pool.

Michael's Family

My family is all from Indiana and still lives in my hometown. My parents met in high school and have been married for 45 years. I have two siblings—my older sister has two daughters, ages 23 and 22, and my younger brother has an 8-year-old daughter.

Even though we don’t live nearby, we see my family often and stay in touch through phone calls and FaceTime. I’m very close to my nieces, and our bond is something we all cherish. Their love and support have shaped the kind of father I am, helping me teach Izzy independence while surrounding her with unconditional love. I love hearing about my nieces’ lives and plans for the future and look forward to making more memories together.

We’ve visited my family multiple times since Izzy was born, and they absolutely adore her. My nieces love spending time with her, and my brother, his wife, and my sister enjoy having another little one around. My parents frequently visit and love spoiling their granddaughter. Everyone is beyond supportive and excited to welcome another child into the family.

I come from a close-knit family, including my parents, married for 49 years, and my younger sister and brother, both married with kids. We live near my parents and my sister’s family and see them weekly. My dad, “Pop,” shares a special bond with Izzy—he cared for her when I returned to work and still helps out often.

My brother and his family live in Dallas, and we visit each fall and take a spring break trip together with both siblings’ families. Izzy, the youngest cousin, loves trying to keep up with all the big kids.

Each summer, we host “aunt camp” for our nieces and nephews, packing the days with swimming, boating, frozen bananas, and pizza—creating fun memories together.

I also have a large extended family nearby, including my grandmother, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Every two years, we gather for a big family reunion, alternating between Texas and Kentucky. This year will be Izzy’s first, and everyone is excited to meet her!

Michael & Christi - A Look Into Our Life

Our Boy Wilbur

After losing both of our beloved pets, we knew it was time to welcome a new dog into our home. That’s when we met Wilbur, who needed a family, and we happily brought him into ours. He is energetic, loving, and cuddly, and he adores kids, especially because they are the perfect height for kisses.

Wilbur is especially fond of Izzy. She loves feeding him snacks (sometimes leaving a crumb trail for him to clean up), and he has welcomed her as part of the pack. He greets her every morning and is the last to leave her room at bedtime.

Izzy calls Wilbur “Ba-Ba” and often repeats it the whole way home from school. She eagerly gives him treats, welcomes his kisses, and enjoys asking him to sit or give a high five so she can reward him. Their bond is full of joy, playfulness, and unconditional love.

Family Fun

We love exploring new places and introducing Izzy to the unique everyday activities in our city. One of our favorite spots is the Wildflower Center, where Izzy enjoys the water feature and the seasonal exhibits. We also like to visit the local zoo and outdoor restaurants, often meeting up with friends and family.

Christi and Izzy particularly enjoy walking around the lake trail, watching the dogs, and feeding the turtles and fish. When the weather is cooler, we take Izzy to local trails in a hiking carrier, and she loves taking in the sights and exploring on her own. We also enjoy going to UT sporting events.

Oh, The Places We'll Go

We love to travel and see new places as it gives us a broader perspective of the world and other cultures. We enjoy visiting places where we have friends and family who can show us their favorite local spots. We've taken Izzy on several trips within the US and look forward to traveling internationally when she is a bit older.

Most of our trips revolve around outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, or going to the beach, and we have a list of cities and national parks we plan to visit in the future. We also have a state park pass and like to visit the state parks in our area when the weather cools off. We can't wait to share our love of travel with our children and witness them learn from the experiences they will have.

Our family has a few favorite holiday traditions we look forward to every year. At Halloween, we host “BYOP” (Bring Your Own Pumpkin) with Christi’s cousins—a fun night of chili, costumes, and pumpkin carving. We also enjoy visiting our local pumpkin patch together.

For Thanksgiving, we usually head to Indiana the weekend before to enjoy the fall weather with Michael’s family and visit friends with young kids in Chicago. Back home, Christi’s dad leads a big Thanksgiving dinner with everyone contributing a dish, followed by a gathering with extended family.

At Christmas, we all wear matching pajamas (including Wilbur!) for our festive PJ breakfast. We attend the children’s service now, with plans to return to Midnight Mass when the kids are older. Christi’s dad cooks Christmas dinner, and we open gifts in age order—from youngest to oldest. We always fit in a few Christmas movies and work on a family puzzle together. As our family grows, we’re excited to see these traditions continue and evolve.