Occupation 

Software Development

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Hobby

Running, hiking, reading & weightlifting

Favorite Family Activity

Hiking

Favorite Food

Asian street food

Favorite Holiday

Atlas's Gotcha Day

Favorite Place to Vacation

Lake Superior

Occupation 

Human Resources

Education

Master's Degree

Hobby

Hiking, yoga, traveling & kayaking

Favorite Family Activity

Going to the beach

Favorite Food

Black bean burgers & apple pie 

Favorite Holiday

Atlas's Gotcha Day

Favorite Place to Vacation

Anywhere warm with a beach

Our Story

Our real beginning, when we fell in love, was a cold, crystal-clear night in February 2009. We walked down to the local beach as we often did and often still do. Everything was ice and snow and moonlight. We stood looking out over the frozen beach, and held each other close, and we knew. We knew we are meant to be together forever.

Our wedding was a reflection of the values we share and the elements we hold dear. The venue was outside on the water overlooking the city in which we met and both love. Attendance was small by design - we wanted to share the most important day of our lives with our closest family and friends.

Atlas is growing into his own little, wonderful person. He’s curious and full of energy—if he’s moving, he’s happy. He loves joining us on outdoor adventures in his kid-carrying backpack, grinning as we hike and explore together.

We are lifelong learners and believe we should pass that on to Atlas. He attends a Spanish-speaking only school that honors his Hispanic heritage and explores the cultures of Latin America. It also supports his health and growth by serving organic-only meals and teaching crucial life skills. 

He also loves to read. Dr. Seuss is his favorite, but he enjoys The Magic School Bus, Winnie-the-Pooh, and any book with great pictures.

Atlas recently started swim lessons. While the other kids might get overwhelmed, Atlas takes it all in stride—he doesn’t cry or mind the splashes. He’s a tough, stoic little guy with a big smile on his face.

He’s also a natural-born climber! From the TV stand to bookshelves, nothing is off-limits. We had to babyproof everything and even got him a soft, modular climbing gym to safely channel all that energy.

Simply put, Atlas is the best thing that’s ever happened to us. His smile lights up our lives, and his laugh is the greatest sound in the world.

Since Atlas came into our lives, our love has only grown. He’s brought so much joy to our home, and we’re so excited for him to become a big brother!

Our Home

We bought our home in June 2024 to accommodate our growing family. It’s a beautiful 1930s 5-bedroom, 2.5-bath home filled with character and located in a very family-friendly area. We love playing outside in our fenced-in backyard, where we have water days in the summer, leaf piles to play in during the fall, and lots of snow to climb on and sled in during the winter. We also love our vegetable garden in the summer! Education is very important to us, and we're within walking distance to the best schools in our state.

Walking distance from our home is a 125-acre park with multiple playgrounds and paths, a bike path that circumvents our entire county and takes us straight into downtown, a beach with a playground, and two picturesque village districts that offer unique, family-friendly opportunities for entertainment in addition to quiet streets.

Zack's Family

Growing up, my parents worked, so my grandma quit her job to care for me and my brother. I’ve been lucky to have both my grandparents and parents as strong influences. My grandfather grew up in an orphanage and was an army veteran, and my Korean grandmother loves to cook and (lovingly) tell me what to do.

I get my love of learning, sports, the outdoors, and my work ethic from my parents. They’re amazing grandparents and can’t wait to take the new grandchild swimming, hiking, kayaking, hunting, and fishing. My mom is even building a new house and considering adding a pool for summer fun, and my dad is already planning future hunting trips! They live nearby and are so excited—I’m starting to think they’ll be hogging all the time with the baby!

My brother, Nick, and I are close in age. We argued as kids like most siblings, but we’re close now. I’m proud of him—he’s now a firefighter and recently bought a farm. He’s great with Atlas and loves showing him around the animals and land.

My grandma lives with my aunt and uncle just 15 minutes away, and weekends often mean hanging out there, relaxing, eating, and chatting about the old days. My dad and brother usually join too. Everyone is thrilled to welcome a new little one into our weekend get-togethers!

My family lives just a short drive away. My retired parents stay active with traveling and volunteering. They’ve always emphasized the importance of education, strong values, and being a good person. They're so excited to share their stories and experiences with another grandchild!

My brother is a big kid at heart—the first to throw a snowball or jump in the pool. His son is a mechanic and loves what he does. Together, they’re ready to bring lots of fun and laughs to a new little one! My sister is compassionate, patient, and fun—she’s a wonderful aunt. She fostered a child our family instantly embraced and is now in the process of adopting.

Both of my siblings are incredibly supportive and full of heart. My aunt and cousin also live nearby and are thrilled about our adoption journey.

We love celebrating the holidays together. My mom's side is Greek, so family gatherings are loud, full of laughter, and always include home-cooked food. Our annual pumpkin carving and holiday cookie decorating are beloved traditions. We also take a yearly winter getaway in northern Wisconsin to play games, hike, cook, and enjoy time together.

My family is loving, supportive, and beyond excited to welcome a new addition. Their encouragement means the world to us and will be a huge part of our child’s life.

Zack & Lindsay - A Look Into Our Life

Best Dog Ever

Everyone thinks their dog is the best dog, but Gertrude actually is the best dog. We adopted her from our local humane society, and we've been inseparable since day one.

She comes with us everywhere we go. She's as willing to run 10 miles as she is to nap on the couch. But what really makes Gertrude special and dear: we have never encountered a gentler soul.



Gertrude has a big personality and a kind heart. She's great with kids. And she's as tough as they come when it comes to outdoor sports and physical activity.

She loves spending time with Atlas in his room. When Atlas wakes up in the morning, one of the first things he sees is Gert’s wagging tail because she, of course, has to see him right when he gets up. And she follows us into his room each night when we put him to bed.

Gertrude loves Atlas not only because he’s fun and they can play together but also because Atlas drops a ton of food that Gert loves to eat!

Make Every Day an Adventure

Our favorite place to be is outside! Mountain biking in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, hiking the quiet, wooded trails of our home state, kayaking Lake Superior, canoeing the Boundary Waters, backpacking, and backcountry camping, then after a long day of outside fun, curling up as a family to read a good book before bed. 

We sometimes wonder if there's a hobby we DON'T have! The moments outdoors under a starry sky, picnicking in the park, playing at the beach, or on big water are the moments that draw us closer together and demonstrate the love and beauty that exists in this world. We love sharing these moments with Atlas and are so excited for another child to join us!

Our Travels

Travel, especially international, is critical to who we are and to our identities, and we can't wait to share the wider world with our children. We have dear friends who live in Beijing, and our first experience traveling abroad together was to visit them in China. Culture shock is an understatement, but experiencing the food, people, and culture hooked us, and we haven't looked back.

Atlas’s first big adventure came when we drove from Texas to Wisconsin after the adoption, and he hasn’t stopped traveling since! We’ve taken him multiple times to Door County with Lindsay’s family. We also took him camping in Marquette, MI, where he could “swim,” hike, and ride in a pull-behind bike trailer. He has so much fun when he’s pulled by a bike! He also traveled with us to visit Zack’s grandma in northern Wisconsin and, from there, to Duluth, MN, where we spent time hiking, climbing waterfalls, and swimming in Lake Superior.



We feel travel is so important for our children to experience, so we took our first international trip together as a family to Greece in October 2024. We were lucky enough to travel with Lindsay's parents to see her great grandmother's village making the trip extra special.

Milwaukee is right on Lake Michigan and offers many opportunities to hit the beach, run and bike along its shores, picnic in the park, and boat or stand-up paddleboard. It is also home to Discovery World, Mitchell Park Domes, a zoo, and Betty Brinn Children's Museum—all great places to take kids!