We first met back in early 2010 when Jared’s sister and brother-in-law introduced us. We were 19 and 17 when we started dating. Our first date was a Casting Crowns concert. We were both head over heels in love and knew we wanted this to last. One of my most memorable dates was us getting dressed up and going to a nice restaurant “for my prom”. Since I was home schooled and didn’t get to have a prom, Jared wanted to take me out and make me feel special. We went to a place called the 360 Grill. The restaurant part actually turns and overlooks the river. Another memory was the day Jared proposed. It was a warm fall day and I was totally shocked when he ask. We planted a tree and he gave such a speech of what the tree represented in our relationship, hard work, forgiveness and growth. When he asked, I don’t even think I said yes I just told him thank you. We laugh about that one a lot looking back on it. We dated for almost four years and tied the knot in fall of 2013. Seirra is the most loving person I have ever met. Her smile lights up every room. Her voice comforts and encourages all who hear it. Her loving heart is seen in everything she does. Ever since we started dating and I began to get to know her these truths have become more and more obvious to me. She has had such an impact on my life that it is hard to imagine my life without her. She cares for me in so many ways; both words and actions. She not only cares for me but I have seen her care for others in many situations. Everyone from our own family to total strangers have been blessed by her sweet and gentle spirit. Seirra truly embodies Proverbs 31:10, “An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.” Jared is one of the most loving and caring people I know. He teaches me so much about truly loving others just in the way he lives his life. He is the true example of a husband and father the Bible speaks of. I love how kids just naturally love him and are drawn to him. He just has a way of getting down to their level. When he makes decisions he seeks the Lord and what’s best for our family. He thinks of others before himself. He is constantly giving of his time and resources in the hope that it might encourage someone else.

We live in a single story home, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. We love to entertain family and friends often. One of our favorite things to do at home is cook dinner together, we love trying new recipes and telling each other about our day. We also enjoy taking our dog Peppa on walks around our neighborhood. Our home is in a small and quaint community. In our community, we are all close and everyone seems to know everyone. We are centered in the middle of three different counties, which all have great opportunities for education.

We both come from larger families, so there are plenty of aunts, uncles, cousins, grandmas and grandpas to spoil this new addition. Holidays are a big deal in both of our families. We love getting together playing games in the yard, having cookouts and playing board games. We are fortunate to live within driving distance of both families, so we don’t have to miss out on get togethers.

Adoption has always been discussed between the two of us, even while we were dating. We always said we would like to adopt in the future. I think the Lord was preparing us for this journey even before we knew what was in store. About six years into marriage we decided it was time to start our family. That proved to be more difficult than we had expected. After several years and multiple miscarriages we found ourselves realizing what the Lord had called us to and prepared us for so many years before. We feel called to this and called to grow and build our family through adoption.