Hello! We are Jamie and John from Alameda, California. We are so very grateful for you, and can’t imagine what you are experiencing. You are courageous and words cannot express the love and support we feel for you and your baby. Becoming parents is important to us because we have so much love to give, and a life and family we can’t wait to share. We love to travel and enjoy the outdoors, and look forward to all the new adventures we will experience. Thank you for taking the time to get to know us more!

The adoption process has always been a welcome path for us because it is part of Jamie’s origin story. We tried on our own for a few years, but due to health risks and low fertility we changed course. Providing a space of great love, support and connection is important to us. We know that being good parents will be an ongoing learning experience. Our village of friends and family is large and diverse, including multiple friends that have also adopted and have offered continuous support. We are excited to be going through the adoption process together as we start this new chapter in our lives.

We met 22 years ago in our first years of college, falling for each other instantly. Only about a year into our relationship, Jamie was deployed to Iraq for 17 months. This experience made us very close and strong, as well as our families, in the amount of support and love that everyone has and continues to provide. We are also big nerds, bonding over video games, movies and long walks in the parks by campus when we first met. Our strong bond helped us in our move to California 15 years ago, and continues as we just love spending time together. Our home is full of laughter, games, books, art and love. We love to explore our neighborhood, walking to the beach and the local farmers market. We also still enjoy hiking, camping and spending our time outdoors.

I grew up in the suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota with my older sister and my younger brother. We spent a lot of time as a family going up to my grandparents’ cabin and spending time out at the lake. Growing up I also loved playing baseball and being outside as much as I could be. My favorite hobbies then and now are making art and music and being outside. I loved math, science, art and band when I was in school. That all helped lead me into a career of 3D Modeling. I went to college in Minnesota to study for my bachelor’s degree in painting and printmaking with the hope of having my art shown in galleries one day. After completing my degree I made the decision to go back to school in San Francisco to study for my master’s degree in 3D art and animation. Growing up I also loved video games and cartoons, so I chose to pursue a career in those industries. I am excited to share my love for art and creativity with my child as well as to share my love for the outdoors. I look forward to teaching and sharing my passions with our child.

I feel so lucky to have John in my life and am grateful for him every day. He is my puzzle piece and one of the strongest, most loving people I have ever met. When we were first together and I was deployed I wasn’t sure what was going to happen, but he stayed with me and acted as my rock. He provided a place of healing and constant support when I returned, and continues to support and push me to be the best I can be in all aspects of life. His talent is astonishing and I never tire of watching him create art. Any time I pick up a new craft he is always there to figure it out with me and play along or do it with me just to spend time together having fun. John is going to be such an amazing father and I cannot wait to experience that.

I have worked at two game companies, and for the last decade I have worked as a Senior 3D Modeler for a company that makes flight simulators and training for pilots.

When I was 3 years old, I was adopted by my dad when he married my mom. I grew up in a small town in Minnesota on a hobby farm, surrounded by a large family and being the eldest of several cousins. My dad owned his own television repair store and my mom worked at the local elementary school. Working in the store and on the farm instilled a strong work ethic at an early age. I was the first in my family to pursue a bachelor’s degree level education and joined the military, serving 8 years in the Army National Guard, in part to achieve this. I’ve always naturally been open and empathetic to others and have been nicknamed “mom” at multiple points in my life, which I’ve worn with pride. Currently, I work for the largest regional park district in the country - with over 73 parks, and am over the moon to share the amazing spaces and experiences with our future child.

Some of my favorite things about Jamie is that she is strong, caring and empathetic. She is hardworking, motivated and dedicated to anything she sets her mind to. She is also very compassionate, willing to help anyone in need whenever she can. Her time in the military has taught her to be structured but to always be working for the better good of those around her, not just herself. I know she will be an incredible mother because she is filled with boundless love and an unyielding loyalty to her friends and family. Jamie is always willing to put the needs of others before hers. Along with this she has a wealth of knowledge, experience and love to give our child. Her time over seas, as well as her many travels abroad, have given her a unique perspective on the world and I know she is excited to share that with our child. She embodies the structure, love and support I know she will provide for our family.

I served as a truck driver in the military, and as one of the first females in my enlisted unit. When I was deployed, I drove a massive truck that hauled tanks and other large equipment. I also helped establish the first Veteran’s Group at my college.

We love to go kayaking, hiking, and camping in the outdoors as much as we can. Our area provides us with boundless options for enjoying the beautiful outdoors and time away from our screens. With Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park nearby, we always have options to get outside and enjoy the fresh air! On the flip side, we also enjoy playing video games and watching movies together. John's family cabin is on a small lake in Minnesota as well, and creates a wonderful time with family on the boat or playing catch in the yard.

Living near the beach also offers us the opportunity for swim time and fun in the sand. We also love to walk and explore our neighborhood, finding local shops, restaurants and attractions we may have never seen before, and enjoy our regular spots. We have been to five countries, and over 30 states - always interested in seeing new places and learning about new cultures and traditions. We look forward to sharing new places and experiences with our child, on our own and with family in all the places we go.

We love living in the Bay Area because we have so much variety and diversity in the nearby activities and places to visit. We love being able to go to the beach, explore our local neighborhood and travel to many of the nearby national parks. Camping, kayaking and hiking are a few of the outdoor activities we really enjoy. There is always something new and different to do nearby and that’s one of the things we love. There is always a new adventure to have and a new place to explore. We love going to the local farmer’s market, exploring the nearby shops, and restaurants. The Bay Area also has many new activities such as concerts, shows, and exhibits to see. We love to go to the ocean and to explore San Francisco as well. We are excited to share all of this with our child and to pass our passion for exploration and the outdoors to them. The local school system is also very good and we live close to many of the local schools, where there are often sports tournaments and other activities going on.

We have two gorgeous rabbits named Miss Lemon and Bentley. They were both rescued as little ones and live freely in our home. They love to spend their days eating farmer's market berries, doing zoomies and binkies, and taking naps in the sun.

Jamie’s sister lives in England with her husband, where she works as a Veterinarian. We see them as much as we can, and video call often. A few years ago she graduated college in London and Jamie’s mom and cousin joined us with John’s parents, sister and brother to take a trip to see her walk the stage and celebrate together.Christmas is in Minnesota each year. Jamie’s grandma, mom and brother make big meals, watch classic movies, and snuggle and catch up.

John’s parents live in Minnesota, his sister in Texas and brother in Southern California. For Thanksgiving we rotate hosting between the siblings so we spend time together in each other’s home towns. John has a family of foodies, with countless hours spent in the kitchen and at the dining room table. John’s family spends the holidays at his parents’ house - laughing together, taking in the delicious smells and watching The Muppet’s Christmas Carol.

We are both incredibly excited to become parents! We look forward to being able to share our values of love, compassion, and creativity, with a solid foundation of structure and support. We are excited to help imbue our child with these strong pillars. We want our child to be open to the world around them, but also able to stand strong and face the challenges of life with confidence and resolve. It is important to us that our child always see us as home but be independent enough to follow their dreams and opportunities. We believe you should always chase your happiness and know your value.

We appreciate you taking this time, and the love and strength it took to get you here. We hope you can see the love and support we have to offer both you and this child throughout this process. This baby will be the absolute center of our world, and we will do everything in our power to be strong role models, sharing our stories and experiences while also inviting all of their own unique experiences. The love we, our friends and our families will provide is boundless. No matter the challenges that life may bring, we will be there with this blanket of love and support. Our match is out there, and we can’t wait to meet you!