We live in Santa Rosa, CA. The city is large enough to offer options, but small enough to feel like home.
Any time we're with family sharing stories, music or food, we're happy.
Northern Michigan: where we met in high school, fell in love 17 years later, and were married in a cherry orchard.
We decided that our trips to the National Parks are our lifetime honeymoon. Yellowstone in 2018 was breathtaking.
After taking up gardening during our shelter-in-place, we are super proud of our homegrown herbs and veggies!
A warm hello, and thanks for looking. As teachers and artists, we are passionate about serving our community. We strive to increase our own and our students’ social awareness and empower their personal activism. We like to road-trip, hike, go to plays and museums, and hear live music. Our marriage is six years young, and we are excited to grow our family through open adoption. We are so hoping you’d like to share your story with us. Meanwhile, stay safe and take care of you.
Born and raised in Oklahoma, my education and work experience moved me around the country from Michigan to Connecticut to New York to Chicago before I settled here in California with Jon.
My parents were best friends who were happiest together. They taught me by example the value of education, and of a life lived in service to others. My favorite kid memories were made outdoors, asking questions about nature. By answering with more questions, my dad taught me how to explore the world and discover my own answers.
I earned my master’s degree in drama therapy before returning to school to become a Special Education teacher. My work, which I see as carrying on my parents’ example, is focused on serving individuals who face obstacles others do not. The enormous reward of the work is in helping students learn to overcome those obstacles. I approach raising a child that way, too. Welcome challenges: they make us stronger, as long as we work together to face them.
“Kate is a highly creative person who believes in the power of making sure to play every day. We are an excellent team, and complement each other well.” – Jon
Born in Los Angeles, I spent most of my adult life in New York, before returning to the place I’ll always call home – California. My father passed away when I was almost 4, and when I was 14 my mom married my brilliant and loving stepfather. My sister and I formed a powerful bond that continues to this day. I am blown away by the resilience my mom showed as a single mother.
Growing up immersed in the arts, I acted in plays and movies, and gigged with my high school band. Many things in my life make me proud, none more than my marriage to Kate. I am a passionate person who values emotional honesty, and open communication.
The knowledge and skills I gained while achieving my master’s are devoted to serving my community through teaching. I love inspiring teenagers to think critically, engage creatively and support each other with empathy and kindness. I look forward to raising a child with those same values.
“Jon is thoughtful, fair, creative and kind. I love how much time we’ve taken for ourselves, to become real friends.” -Kate
We live in Santa Rosa, CA in gorgeous West Sonoma County. We love that the city is large enough to offer many cultural (and culinary!) options while being small enough to maintain a strong sense of community. Our house is in a beautiful, safe neighborhood where we enjoy connecting with our neighbors. We have two cats – Lucky Duck and Tambourine – whom we adore to an almost embarrassing degree. They are very sweet and amenable, and will surely take well to a new addition to the household!
Jon’s mother Cynthia lives with her husband Peter in New York City. Kate’s mother Carol is making plans to move in with her daughter and son-in-law in Santa Rosa. Jon’s sister Catherine and her husband Dean live in New Zealand, which is always a spectacular visit! Kate’s cousin Emily lives in Chicago and is studying to be a music teacher. We enjoy being able to travel and share time with family all over the country and the world!
Our home is already full of creativity, empathy, learning and love – too much for just the two of us. Only the addition of a child could make it more beautiful. We hope something you’ve seen in our profile inspires you to reach out and get to know us better. We look forward to hearing about the life you envision for your child.
