As we start on our adoption journey, we are mindful of the fact that this is a journey for you as well, and no matter what family you decide is the best fit for 
your child, we want to wish you the very best every step of the way. This is a decision that we know has not been taken lightly, one that requires strength and 
trust, and we are grateful that you would take the time to consider us and what we might be able to offer as adoptive parents. 

What we think is most important for you to know about us is how stable and loving our home is. We met in 2008 and have been each other’s best friends 
and sources of support ever since.  Since our marriage in 2016, we’ve worked very hard to make sure that our home is ready to welcome a little one, that we’re 
physically, emotionally, and financially prepared to do everything it takes to be the best parents possible. We spend so much quality time with our nephews and 
the children of our friends, and when we watch each other’s eyes light up as we laugh, play, and teach, it only further solidifies how committed and ready we are to be called “dad.” 

We believe that this family profile is an opportunity to show you with complete honesty what life your child would have with us, and if anything you see or read touches your heart and makes you want to know more, we are ready and willing to discuss whatever would help you to make the best decision possible for your child.  We send our very best wishes for a healthy pregnancy and birth for both you and your baby.  Thank you again not only for taking the time to consider us, but more importantly for making a decision that is so filled with selflessness and love: the decision to give life.

Jared and Jason

My Background & Education

I grew up just fifteen minutes from where I live now as an adult, and my family is incredibly important to me. They’ve honestly shaped so much about who I am, from my values to my faith to my confidence to be myself. Because of their support, I have always had the desire to work hard and make the most of every opportunity that I’ve been given in life. I went to Catholic school and then to a local Catholic university, where I received a B.S. and a Master’s in Business Administration and took part in additional juris doctorate studies at the school of law. I’ve always had a proud work-ethic and worked in real estate since I was 18-years-old, first to help pay for college, but later as a passion.  I’ve always found satisfaction in helping families find the perfect home for them.  Later, I went on to work in marketing for a major Pittsburgh newspaper doing real estate advertising, and now I manage online marketing and sales for several Florida divisions of a national home builder, including Tampa Bay, Orlando, Jacksonville and Melbourne. I have also acted as an adjunct professor of real estate for the MBA program at a Pittsburgh university.

Creating Memories

One of my most important memories growing up was working with my grandfather and learning how to use tools and fix things.  It’s because of that influence that I find such enjoyment working on my own home today.  I can usually be found renovating things around the house or landscaping outside. I am looking forward to sharing with my child “hands on” activities and pride in a job well-done.  When my nephews needed help with their Boy Scout Pinewood derby cars, I got to teach them how to shape, sand and weight the wood so that it could be a champion car.  When my oldest nephew called to say thank you because he 
won his race and I could hear the pride in his voice, it made me so excited to do this kind of thing with my own child. 

Hobbies & Interests

I have a “type-A” personality and as a child growing up,  I participated in numerous clubs, sports and activities.  My parents always supported my many varied
activities, and I hope to foster interest in extracurricular activities with my child.  I also think it’s very important to be active in my community, so I served as a school board president for multiple terms and an elected member of a town council planning commission.

I love our Pittsburgh sports teams, but I’ve lately started to cheer on the Tampa teams as well. Oh, and “How ‘bout dem  Dallas Cowboys?” (One of the few things about me Jared disapproves of). 

When it comes to my other interests, I would say that they’re pretty diverse (Jared would lovingly call it “eclectic”).  I enjoy plays and musicals, I’m fascinated by 
history and love to watch all sorts of documentaries, I seek out every rollercoaster I possibly can, and I am one of the most committed Disney Parks fans you’ll 
ever meet. I proudly joke that I could give tours of the Magic Kingdom in my spare time. 

I’m looking forward to being a father because I believe that to teach, to encourage a sense of adventure, and to always provide everything possible for my child is one of the best ways that I can pass on all of the blessings that I’ve been so fortunate to have in my own life. 

My Background and Education

Growing up, I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher.  I'm sure my younger sister just loved the idea of having a brother who thought giving her homework out of an encyclopedia was "fun"!  I attended Catholic school and then went on to the University of Pittsburgh to get a Bachelor’s in English and a Master’s in Education. For going on fourteen years, I’ve devoted my life to teaching. I teach English and History to high school students, and the feeling of fulfillment that I get every time I see that little lightbulb go off in a child’s mind and I know that they finally “get it” is absolutely thrilling. I’ve worked with students of all races, cultural backgrounds, ability levels, and family dynamics (including adoptive families). No matter the child, one thing remains consistent: they look to the adults in their lives for guidance, and they value what those people have to teach them (even if they won't admit it in front of their friends).  The most important thing that I aim to do with my job every day is to encourage children to be confident in who they are, to spark their imagination and creativity, and to support them as they pursue whatever goals or interests make them truly happy. I can honestly say that I would take the same approach to being a parent.

Creating Memories

Growing up in a small town encouraged me to value creativity and imagination.  Play is an important part of childhood, and it’s important that children have a safe space to explore and invent and create; we are so lucky to have a neighborhood that still offers those values.  The memories that stand out most from my childhood were all about how much my parents worked to give my sister and me experiences, to teach us that time spent together was always most important.  Whether it was learning to cook with my mom or the way they would always have Santa visit us right before Christmas to get our lists in person, it's those experiences and the way we were made to feel special and loved that I will always hold very close to my heart.  My parents encouraged me to find interests that made me happy.  I was a bit of introvert when I was younger, and my parents were very patient with me.  They knew I was shy, and they didn't want to force me to do something that made me uncomfortable.  However, they gave me the support and the safety net I needed to start to get out there and try new things.  I was in the Boy Scouts, performed in school plays and musicals, and even had the opportunity to travel to Australia and New Zealand to learn about different cultures and ways of life.  That’s probably why I’m so fascinated by other cultures and traditions. Whatever my child’s background, I’m excited to learn about it with him.  

Hobbies & Interests

Reading is an important part of my life.  Being surrounded by books when I was younger is what made me value learning on my own, so I feel our stocked 
bookshelves are an important part of the home environment that we offer.  While I certainly have genres that I prefer (much like my husband, I'm a big history buff), being surrounded by teenagers every day at work really helps to broaden my horizons to what types of books are engaging children and encouraging them to read.  I've picked up many novels that my students have given as recommendations, and usually I'm very pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoy them!

I’m a passionate Pittsburgh hockey, baseball, and football fan. Between the Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates, sports in this city are a year-round occurrence!  I also enjoy theater (both plays and musicals) and art.  We recently got a theater in Pittsburgh devoted entirely to magic, and Jason has gotten me more interested in that as well.   Beyond all of that, though, museums, walking tours, or even the occasional competitive round of miniature golf or bowling are all right up my alley!

I also very much love to cook.  We eat a home-cooked meal almost every night and, as much as eating together is important, cooking together is as well.  Being able to have my nephews in the kitchen with me to bake has always been such a rewarding (and adventurous!) experience.  I’m so excited to share those moments with our child.  I've also gotten pretty good at being able to hide vegetables in a meal that the kids (our nephews) and the kids at heart (Jason) will still excitedly eat.  When we go out to eat, we think it’s important to try new things and experience new cuisines, and that’s something we’d definitely like to pass on to our child as well.  

I’m a person guided by love and faith.  I will always do everything I can to make sure the people in my life are happy, healthy, and know that they are loved.  That, above all, is what being a parent means to me.

My family is small but very close-knit, and we all live within 15 minutes of one another. In fact, my parents still live in the home that I grew up in.  Growing up, 
I got to know both my grandparents and my great-grandparents, and they would teach me all about our family values and traditions. Even though we live so close and get to see each other frequently, we still spend every hoilday and birthday together and never miss a chance to celebrate life's events as a family.  I'm so proud and grateful to be part of a family that holds traditions so close and makes time to be with one another, no matter how busy life gets. 

Early on I became an uncle figure for my two young cousins. The oldest just started college, but he still regularly texts and calls me for input and to pick my brain, and it’s nice to know he still values my guidance and advice. 

My mom is a retired preschool teacher and cannot wait to take on the role of “Nana.” From her sunny disposition, friendly-nature and take-charge attitude, I definitely take after my mom.  She is anxiously waiting to bring  her old preschool projects out to share them with her grandchildren.  Even when there were only grown children around, she still had us start every holiday meal by doing an arts-and-crafts project together.  Making those little napkin holders might at times sound cheesy when you're in your 30s, but I've come to appreciate it as not only tradition, but a way to come together and do something simple as a family.  She also taught me about the importance of religion in my life, and I am sure she will be an inspiration to my child too.

I have always been very close to my sister. My sister just had her first baby this past summer, and it's been incredible having another nephew to spend time with.  It also helps that every time I hold him, he instantly stops fussing.  Talk about a confidence booster!   Both I and my brother-in-law work a great deal from home, so between us and my mother and mother-in-law, there’s a lot of opportunity for quality childcare right within our very own family.  We realize how fortunate we are to have that dynamic, and we definitely don't take it for granted.

To sum up why my family is so important to me, I would simply say it's because of the love and support that I've been so blessed to have my entire life.  Like any family, we've had our ups and downs and obstacles in the road, but we're always there for each other.  The reason I'm so excited to bring a child into this family is because no matter what, they'll never be alone.

I grew up in a rural town in northcentral Pennsylvania.  While I had a small family, we were all very close.  In our town, even the people who weren't family still treated you like you were.  While I don't necessarily miss having to drive 45 minutes just to get to a shopping mall, what I do remember most about being a kid in that town was that you always had grownups that you could look up to and trust.  I moved to Pittsburgh when I was 16 years old.  Though I moved to a couple of different neighborhoods after college, I met Jason and we found the home of our dreams in a suburb just outside the city.  We only have to go 5 minutes down the road to get to the mall, and even less to get to a movie theater, but the neighborhood has that same close-knit feel that I remember from my own hometown.

My mom is one of the most important influences in my life.  Growing up, whenever I had a bad day, she was the one who knew how to turn it around.  Whether it was distracting me with a movie I wanted to see or taking me and my sister out for pizza, she is the model parent that I hope to be some day.  She is so warm, giving and loving.  Even if it meant sacrificing something for herself, she always did what was best for my sister and me.  After my nephews were born, she spoiled them with toys like any grandma does, but she also spoiled them with love and makes a point of checking up on them every day.  She is the one who taught me to never let life get so busy that you don’t have time for the ones you love.  She is retired now, but even after leaving her career, she continued to work in children’s daycare because she loves being around children. She is looking forward to spending a lot of time helping to take care of her new grandchild.

My sister lives in Virginia where her husband is stationed in the navy.  My brother-in-law was deployed right after my first nephew was born, so my sister and the baby stayed with me quite a bit that first year. For me, this was an early look at all of the ups and downs of parenting.  Having her tell me that she knows I'll make a great father was honestly one of the most reassuring moments in this adoption journey.  She might be my "little" sister, but admire the mother that she is and value her confidence and support.

The best way that I can sum up my family is that we’re small and close-knit, but we’re a group that loves to laugh and have fun.  There’s so much joy, but also so much silliness, in a lot of what we do together.  When all is said and done, no matter how bad of a day you might be having, my family has a way of making it seem so much better.  I think that's why Jason so quickly became part of this side of the family as well.  His fun-loving spirit and eternal optimism fit right in.

Our friends come from all different cultures and backgrounds, and many of them have been friends with at least one of us since high school.  We consider ourselves very fortunate to have so many people in our lives who have broadened our horizons, introduced us to new experiences, and shared so many milestones.  Every one of our friends is incredibly accepting of all people, and while they are very diverse in many ways, what holds our group together is a common set of shared values that emphasizes trust, empathy, and respect. 

Our network of friends is always supportive and dependable.  Be it weddings, funerals, or even something as mundane as helping each other move or driving one another to the airport, there's always someone we can rely on to withhold judgment and to help in a way that is genuine and sincere.  They have been the people to laugh with and the shoulders to cry on, and the support they have given us as we started this journey to grow our family has been truly amazing. 

Many of our friends are married and have either just had little ones of their own or are in the process of trying to start their family as well. The last few years have been an exciting time as we watch this close-knit group of people expand.  We are so excited to think that we could have a child who will continue the bonds of friendship with our friends’ children that we’ve held with their parents for so long. 

The holidays, in particular, are always one of the most special times to get together with our friends and, now, with their children.  The grown-up parties of days-gone-by have become Halloween parties with children's costume contests and Christmas parties with cookie-decorating stations, and we could not be happier.  And since we have such a love of decorating the house over the holidays, so many of our friends take their family Christmas picture right here, which is also an incredible memory to share with them!

As cliche as it might sound, we are so close that we think of our friends as “family.” Jason was just recently asked to be the godfather of his best friend’s newborn baby boy, and he is  absolutely honored to play this important role in his life.  We know hat someday he'll be able to be the same source of guidance and support to our child.  

It would be impossible for us to talk about our friends and family without mentioning Fletcher and Xena, our pups.

Both of our pups were rescue dogs, and they are the two most loving, dependable friends you could ever ask for. Whether we’re having a bad day or feeling 
under-the-weather, they are always there cuddled up at our side.  They love to play with toys (if only we could get them to put the toys back in the toy box!) and go on walks in the park, but they also know when just putting their chins on our lap can really cheer us up and make us know that everything's going to be ok.  

We’ve had both Fletcher (our dachshund) and Xena (our miniature pinscher) since our nephews were infants, and they have always been fantastic (and so patient!) with children.  When our friends bring their kids over to visit, Fletcher and Xena are always there to meet them at the door!  Though they love getting attention to, we have no doubt that they are just as excited to bring another member into our family as we are.

We bought our home in 2009 and completely renovated it from floor to ceiling. Even then, we were already planning for what rooms would be the playroom and nursery for a future addition to our family.  At this point, we're finalizing an additional bathroom to make sure that there is one designated for our child and all the things that baby would need for bathtime, and we've been remodeling the playroom and nursery with everything to make it both comfortable and safe so that we are fully prepared whenever it's time to welcome the baby home.

We have an open-concept home with a large connected kitchen, dining room, and family room.  Not only do our pups love having the space indoors to run around and play when the weather isn't great outside, but there has always been plenty of space for our young nephews (who are pretty rambunctious!) to play and enjoy themselves whenever they visit.  

We have two dining areas, one for larger family gatherings and a smaller table where we have dinner together every night.  Even if things are happening and we have places to be, we place a huge importance on sitting down together and talking about the day, even if it's just for a quick meal.  We believe that daily meals together are an important bonding opportunity, and we look forward to sharing that (and the pups probably look forward to dropped cereal and teething biscuits!).

Our house is on a large, level ½ acre lot with tons of room to run and play. The house itself is located in the middle of the lot, far from the road on our 
dead-end street, and a large portion of the yard is fenced in for safety.  We recently had a large garage built on part of the lot, and we built a porch off of the garage next to where we hope to build a playset.  This will be another area where we can ensure that our child gets to experience the outdoor play that we both did when we were younger.  We are committed to making sure that every decision we make about our home is one that will give our child a fun and comfortable place to live, but also one where they are always safe and secure.  

Our City

We call Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania our home, and there are so many incredible things that make this the perfect place to raise a child.

Pittsburgh has been voted the most livable city in the continental United States as recently as 2018.  A large part of this is what it has to offer families and the incredible growth it has experienced in the last couple of decades.  It was once known primarily as a steel town, but it has long since lost that reputation and is now a place where people come to build a home and start a family.

The city is home to renowned colleges and universities and nationally-recognized and awarded hospital systems (including UPMC’s Children’s Hospital).

There is a vibrant downtown cultural district with five concert halls or theaters and a state-of-the-art convention center, stadiums for three major championship sports teams, and the Carnegie Museums (including the Children's Museum and Science Center).  

Families are offered a wide-range of activities, including a major zoo, aquarium, the national aviary, amusement parks, ice skating rinks, and children’s museum and science center.

We are also a very culturally diverse city with neighborhoods such as Little Italy, Polish Hill, and Deutchtown for families to explore. In recent years, the city has become home to award-winning restaurants and boutique shops that represent cultures and populations from all over the world, and we are proud to live in a place that is so inclusive and welcoming.

Our Community

Located in a suburb that is just a 15-minute drive from downtown Pittsburgh, we love our community so much because it offers the privacy and close-knit feel of a smaller town while still being so close to the major conveniences of city life.

Our community is family-oriented and increasingly diverse, and there are numerous other young families on our street. It is full of playgrounds, parks, pools and recreation centers, all of which make this the perfect environment for a growing family. We are also within a mile of a 3,000 acre park with sports facilities, children’s play areas, fishing, biking and hiking trails, an ice skating rink, swimming pools, and a family amusement center.

Our home is located in a school district that is recognized as one of the best in the state, year after year.  In fact, when we choose our home, this was a key factor for us because we knew that someday we would be raising a child here and we would want them to have the very best we could give them.

There are branches of both of our city’s major hospital networks right in our neighborhood. They are both recently renovated and afford nationally-recognized care.  

Finally, we live in a booming area with new development opening all the time. We are at the epicenter of the development and have malls, restaurants, movie theaters, libraries, and farmers’ markets within a mile of our home.

Both of our families have always placed so much value on traditions, and over the past 12 years we have managed to bridge together both sides of our family while also creating new traditions of our own.  We host annual Halloween and Christmas parties for family and friends, and we really enjoying decorating and making it a fun experience for everyone.  In recent years, it has gone from a bunch of adults socializing and talking about work and relationships to grown-ups and kids bringing their families together to make new memories.  It's so exciting for us to think that someday our child will be able to be a part of all of these experiences as well.

Christmas is a very special time in our family. We have ornament exchanges and cookie decorating for the kids, and the family always attends midnight mass 
together at a beautiful historic church.  People come from all over the city just to experience this mass, and it's a very important part of what the holiday season means to us as a family.  We carry the Christmas spririt into our own home with our extravagant Christmas display, including a real-life sleigh that has started to become the backdrop of many family Christmas photos.  Our nephews come up for a week between Christmas and New Year's Eve to spend the holiday and enjoy all that our city has to offer.  From Christmas markets to a beautiful lights show at the Convervatory, it is without a doubt a favorite time of year for all of us.

All major holidays, including Easter, Christmas, and Thanksgiving, involve family dinners and taking the opportunity to spend time together and catch up on each other’s lives.  We might have to have dinner at a couple of different houses along the way, depending on where everyone's family is that year, but the important thing is that we get to see everyone and catch up.  Even Four of July fireworks and Memorial Day picnics are a great reason for us to all get together and share the experience with the one's that matter most.

We vacation and travel together every summer.  From major cities like New York and Chicago, to road trips south to Williamsburg, Charlotte, and Savannah, to a week spent at Disney (since our wedding there, it's become an annual tradition), so many of our memories are made in the summer months.

We thought it was important for you to know what your child’s life will be like on any given week in our home.  We hope it shows that your child will have a normal, stable, happy upbringing.  We believe that at the end of the day, it’s not just what we do, but that we do it together.

During the week, Jared is up early taking care of the pups and getting ready for work. Shortly after he’s off to teach, Jason is up and settling into his home office and handling work calls and emails coming in from Florida.

When Jared gets home from work, we take the dogs for a relaxing walk together as a family down a gorgeous walking trail and right by a fun neighborhood “tot lot” playground.  If we’re staying in for the night, Jared’s usually in the kitchen cooking dinner while Jason finishes up some last minute work.  

We gather around the dinner table to eat and talk about our day. On any given night, there might be a movie or a trip to the park or a visit with friends. Then it’s time to pack lunch and get ready to settle into bed for the night.

On the weekend, church is an important part of our routine. This is also when we might take in a Pirates game downtown (Sundays are kids days!), spend the afternoon at one of the museums, or go miniature golfing or go-carting in the park. 

Parenting is about patience and understanding. Children need room to experiment and to learn and to grow. They will make mistakes, but as parents we will be by their side to help them get back on the right path.

Parenting is being nurturing, warm, and emotionally available.

Parenting is about being good role models who help a child develop a strong set of moral values.

Parenting is about being actively involved in a child’s life and interests, and always being excited about finding opportunities to teach them new life skills. 

Parenting is about encouraging a child’s passions and creativity, and about making sure they feel confident being who they want to be, not who they think we want them to be.

Parenting is about providing any experiences we can within our means for culture, travel, and education.

Parenting is about building self-confidence, loving unconditionally, teaching them to be proud of who they are and accepting of others at the same time.

Parenting is about realizing that the best thing you can do for yourself is doing the best thing you can do for your child.

Now that you’ve gotten to know us a little better, we want to offer our commitment to you should you decide that we would be a good home 
for your child.

We will make sure that every day our child knows that he is unconditionally loved, and that he will always be accepted exactly the way he is.

We will foster a sense of wonder and adventure so that he can explore the things that interest him and that make him happy.

We will be actively involved in advocating for him and for making sure that he has the best education possible to prepare him for all of his future goals.

We will make sure that he knows that we are always there for him and that he has our 100% support, that he can trust us to be open and honest, and that he will know in his heart that he can be the same with us.

We will provide for all of his needs, not just financially but emotionally and spiritually as well.

We will respect and honor whatever decision you make when it comes to the openness of this adoption. No matter how much or how little detail you’d like us to share, we will promise you that he will always know that his adoption was an act of love.

Sincerely,

Jared and Jason