Occupation 

Finance - Financial Consultant

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Hobby

Outdoor projects, golfing, walking our dog Millie, board games- favorite is Carbles & spending time with close friends and family 

Favorite Food

Chocolate chip cookies

Favorite Family Activity

Going to the park with Kali and Millie & tossing a toy for her to fetch at the baseball fields.

Favorite Music

Rap / early-2000s Hip-Hop

Favorite Sports

Basketball

Occupation 

Healthcare - Nurse Practitioner

Education

Doctorate degree

Hobby

Traveling, reading, relaxing in the sun, crocheting & spending time with friends and family

Favorite Food

a spicy pasta dish Zack makes

Favorite Family Activity

Playing cards/board games after dinner & relaxing in the sun in the backyard with Millie!

Favorite Music

Indie & pop (Taylor Swift & Noah Kahan are some of my favs!)

Favorite Sport

Soccer

Our Story

Our story began in college when we met one night at a local diner through a mutual friend. Neither of us remembers many details from that night, but what followed was unforgettable—we quickly became best friends. Over the next two years, we bonded through long phone calls, game nights, and even a canoe trip in Arkansas. We stayed close for years before Zack (finally!) asked me out. We thought it would surprise our friends—but they all said they saw it coming! Our strong friendship is one of the foundations of our marriage.

Zack proposed during one of our favorite shared activities—traveling. He planned a special hike in the Washington mountains, even including one of my best friends in the surprise. Thankfully, he proposed on the way down—not up—because I was out of breath! The view was stunning and the moment unforgettable.

After a year-long engagement, we were married in a church in my hometown. The ceremony was beautiful, and the celebration afterwards was so much fun (Zack even played a little basketball before the ceremony). We were surrounded by love and support and we're so excited to share that same support system with our future children.

Our Home

We live in a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home with a large fenced-in backyard and a patio where we love spending our summer days. Our home is often described as warm and welcoming, and we enjoy hosting family and friends whenever we can. The wide-open basement is a favorite spot for our nieces and nephews - they LOVE to run around and play. Just behind our house is a pond where we often spot wildlife - especially all the different kinds of ducks that stop by.

Our neighborhood is full of young families, and there's always something going on. Kids are always outside - riding bikes, running around the park, or playing in each other's yards. Sometimes they even turn the street into a hockey or basketball game! We are part of a very active church - there are always fun events throughout the year and we can't wait to enjoy them all with our children. We also have many top-rated schools in the area, some of which are brand new. Our community is a mix of families from many different backgrounds and we truly celebrate and embrace that diversity in our circle. 

Our community offers so many fun things for families to do. Local parks and playgrounds surround us and we have a large, scenic lake with picnic areas, walking trails, a playfield, and boat access. We're also a short drive from Minneapolis, which means easy access to places like Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America! There's also a zoo, several great museums, and a year-round indoor water park - perfect for those chilly Minnesota winters!

I grew up in Central Minnesota, where I spent my days playing basketball, football in the snow, and biking with friends. My parents divorced when I was young, but both remained loving and supportive, always encouraging me to do my best. They never missed a game or meet—and I know they’ll be just as excited to cheer on their future grandchild.

I come from a big, close-knit family with three younger siblings, and there’s never a dull moment when we’re all together. I’m still very close with my parents—we talk almost every day about everything from sports to weekend plans—and we love spending time as a family, especially on trips. Our most recent adventure was to Hawaii, and this summer we’re planning a cabin getaway.

We’re lucky to live just 45–60 minutes from my parents and even closer to two of my siblings. This will be the first grandchild in our family, and everyone is beyond excited. My siblings can’t wait to become aunts and uncles and are already talking about all the fun they’ll have spoiling this little one with love and adventures. I now work from home as a financial consultant and really value the flexibility it gives me, especially as we prepare to grow our family. There’s so much love and support waiting here—and we can’t wait to share it with this child.

Kali's Family

I grew up in Northern Minnesota with cold winters and beautiful summers by the lake! I feel so blessed to have a close-knit family—one younger sister and two wonderful parents who mean the world to me. While my sister and I didn’t always get along growing up, we’ve grown incredibly close, and she’s now one of my best friends.

Most of my immediate and extended family live nearby, all within about 15 to 30 minutes. Zack and I spend many of our weekends visiting our parents or hanging out with cousins. I have over 8 cousins, and they’ve always felt more like siblings to me. Their children call me "Auntie Kali," and Zack and I are honored to be Godparents to one of them.

This will be the first grandchild in our family, and everyone is overjoyed and eager to welcome them with open arms. Our extended family can’t wait to meet their future “cousin.” It means so much to know this child will grow up surrounded by people who already love them deeply.

Zack & Kali - A Look Into Our Life

Say Hello to Millie 

Millie is our lovable Golden Doodle with a big personality and an even bigger heart. She adores peanut butter treats, going on walks, cuddling up close, and getting lots of scratches. Some of her favorite things include zooming around the backyard and spending time with Grandma and Grandpa. Millie is also very well-trained—she knows a long list of commands, but her favorite might be “kissy,” where she’ll come running over to give you a sweet lick! Around the house, we lovingly call her “Millie-Goose” because she’s such a silly goose and always keeps us laughing.

Our Adventures

We've both been blessed to travel to many different places over the years, both throughout the United States and internationally. We love to explore new places and experience new cultures together, and can't wait to travel with our future kids!

Our most recent trip was a family trip to Hawaii, where we spent our days relaxing in the sun, touring the island, and playing lots of nightly card games with the family.   It was a great mix of adventure, rest, and quality time - just the way we like to travel!

Family Tradition 

Holidays together!  We love celebrating with both immediate and extended family, which makes the season feel extra special—and busy! One of our favorite traditions is our Annual Christmas Cookie Baking Day— a festive and fun-filled event we all look forward to each year.

Annual Camping Trip –  Every year, we rent a cabin in Northern Minnesota with close friends and spend a relaxing weekend by the lake, enjoying the fall colors and making memories together.

“Cheese-Fest” Weekend –  Since college, we’ve made it a tradition to attend the annual celebration at a cheese factory in our friend’s hometown. The weekend is packed with fun—hosting a charity race, golfing in a tournament, trying lots of food, and wandering through the carnival.

Girls’ Weekend –  Every year, Kali and her cousins plan a weekend getaway to relax, catch up, and do a little shopping together!

Fun with Friends

We’re lucky to have a close-knit group of friends who are incredibly supportive of our decision to grow our family through adoption. They can’t wait to shower our child with love!  Many of them are also growing their own families, so our little one will always have plenty of playmates and friends to grow up with.