Holly and Dan
Dear Expectant Mother,
About Us:
We both grew up in Homewood, south of Chicago. We met for the first time in high school band, where Holly played trumpet and Dan played the clarinet (or as he likes to call it… the manliest instrument). We got to know each other on a band trip. Our high school sent one of its music groups overseas during spring break and when Dan was a Senior and Holly was a Junior, the band went to China. One of our earliest memories together is playing a little concert on the Great Wall, then hiking along the wall.
We remained friends throughout high school and stayed connected as we went to different colleges (Purdue and then Illinois State for Holly, Rose-Hulman for Dan). Around our Sophomore and Junior year, we started talking more, travelling to see each other (it was just a short 150-mile trip), and dating. We continued dating throughout college and got married after we both graduated.
About Us:
We both grew up in Homewood, south of Chicago. We met for the first time in high school band, where Holly played trumpet and Dan played the clarinet (or as he likes to call it… the manliest instrument). We got to know each other on a band trip. Our high school sent one of its music groups overseas during spring break and when Dan was a Senior and Holly was a Junior, the band went to China. One of our earliest memories together is playing a little concert on the Great Wall, then hiking along the wall.
We remained friends throughout high school and stayed connected as we went to different colleges (Purdue and then Illinois State for Holly, Rose-Hulman for Dan). Around our Sophomore and Junior year, we started talking more, travelling to see each other (it was just a short 150-mile trip), and dating. We continued dating throughout college and got married after we both graduated.
Our Shared Interests:
We both enjoy doing many things together. One of the things we enjoy is cooking and eating. Dan currently does more of the cooking, though Holly loves getting into the kitchen herself as well. We love to travel, whether it is just a road trip to a state park or flying across the ocean. We were all set to see the Tokyo Olympics, but then 2020 happened…. We also both enjoy physical activity, walking, running, hiking, biking. Dan loves competition, while Holly loves the activity and hates competition. Beyond that, we love spending time together, playing board games, building Legos, and watching good (bad) movies.
Our Shared Interests:
We both enjoy doing many things together. One of the things we enjoy is cooking and eating. Dan currently does more of the cooking, though Holly loves getting into the kitchen herself as well. We love to travel, whether it is just a road trip to a state park or flying across the ocean. We were all set to see the Tokyo Olympics, but then 2020 happened…. We also both enjoy physical activity, walking, running, hiking, biking. Dan loves competition, while Holly loves the activity and hates competition. Beyond that, we love spending time together, playing board games, building Legos, and watching good (bad) movies.
About Holly (as written by Dan)
In answering the question, who is Holly, I would like to address it in a few ways.
First, what are Holly’s values? One of the first things that caught my eye about Holly was her empathy towards others. She deeply cares about those around her. Even though she is brilliant across the board, she is incredibly humble. The simplest way to describe Holly is that she is a good person.
Second, what are Holly’s interests? Holly is a creative and talented artist. She enjoys painting, printmaking, and photography. She loves giving back with her photography, whether that is volunteering to take photographs for an event or helping her dad photograph tuba conventions. This is what makes her such a great art teacher. Holly teaches 5th and 6th grade art in our hometown. Holly also loves understanding how everything works; she is a voracious reader, she loves puzzles, she loves math, science, history, basically she is interested in almost anything.
About Holly (as written by Dan)
In answering the question, who is Holly, I would like to address it in a few ways.
First, what are Holly’s values? One of the first things that caught my eye about Holly was her empathy towards others. She deeply cares about those around her. Even though she is brilliant across the board, she is incredibly humble. The simplest way to describe Holly is that she is a good person.
Second, what are Holly’s interests? Holly is a creative and talented artist. She enjoys painting, printmaking, and photography. She loves giving back with her photography, whether that is volunteering to take photographs for an event or helping her dad photograph tuba conventions. This is what makes her such a great art teacher. Holly teaches 5th and 6th grade art in our hometown. Holly also loves understanding how everything works; she is a voracious reader, she loves puzzles, she loves math, science, history, basically she is interested in almost anything.
Third, what does Holly do for fun? Holly is nerdy in all the best ways. She loved watching various science fiction shows and movies with her dad growing up (Doctor Who, Star Trek, Star Wars). She loves anime (Yuri on Ice, Fruits Basket), after Dan introduced her to it back in college. She also loves Pokèmon and started a Pokèmon club at her school (where she is Professor Holly).
About Dan (as written by Holly)
How to describe Dan? Well, he is a mess of contradictions that just seem to work out well. For example, he is very generous to anyone who asks for help. Need a math tutor? Dan will help (He is a high school math teacher). Need assistance moving something big? Dan is there. Find yourself in a tough spot? Dan will find a solution. He is constantly giving of his time to others (me included) so the flip side of that is when Dan’s energy runs out for the day he just has to recharge. Where most people say, ‘work hard, play hard,’ Dan’s would be ‘Give hard, Nap hard.’ He would strongly disagree and say he does not nap, but I have caught him dozing off in many places.
Another contradiction is with his personality. He is incredibly playful and funny on a regular basis. Making jokes, speaking as the cat to be silly, making funny faces to express himself, and randomly bursting into song like a Disney movie. Dan is also very responsible keeping himself to a rigid schedule with things like training for marathons and chores as well as work and studying for graduate classes. Both structured and goofy makes for a nice balance.
About Dan (as written by Holly)
How to describe Dan? Well, he is a mess of contradictions that just seem to work out well. For example, he is very generous to anyone who asks for help. Need a math tutor? Dan will help (He is a high school math teacher). Need assistance moving something big? Dan is there. Find yourself in a tough spot? Dan will find a solution. He is constantly giving of his time to others (me included) so the flip side of that is when Dan’s energy runs out for the day he just has to recharge. Where most people say, ‘work hard, play hard,’ Dan’s would be ‘Give hard, Nap hard.’ He would strongly disagree and say he does not nap, but I have caught him dozing off in many places.
Another contradiction is with his personality. He is incredibly playful and funny on a regular basis. Making jokes, speaking as the cat to be silly, making funny faces to express himself, and randomly bursting into song like a Disney movie. Dan is also very responsible keeping himself to a rigid schedule with things like training for marathons and chores as well as work and studying for graduate classes. Both structured and goofy makes for a nice balance.
I really lucked out with Dan. He has a big heart, cooks, cleans, and knows how to have fun. Even if I worry about him as he runs 6 to 10 miles every day, I know that he will always return home to the Doctor and I.
About the Doctor (as written by Holly and Dan):
The Doctor is our cat. Holly believes he is named The Doctor based on the BBC show Dr. Who (though Dan really knows that his full name is Doctor Mittens, and he has a Ph.D. in cuteness). We got The Doctor from the animal shelter our first year of marriage. Holly always grew up with dogs, but because she and Dan both worked so far from home at the time, a cat made a lot more sense. Now, Holly knows it wouldn’t be the same without The Doctor trying to sleep on her face, or steal her food while she isn’t looking, or all the other wonderful things that a cat does.
Our Family:
Holly and Dan both grew up with one older sibling. Holly has an older sister, who currently lives in the west suburbs with her husband and daughter. Dan has an older brother, who currently lives in London. We still live fairly close to our parents. Holly’s parents are still living in her childhood house, which is about 15 minutes to the east. Dan’s parents moved a few years ago, and currently live about 15 minutes to the west. Everyone is waiting for a little one to join the family.
Our Family:
Holly and Dan both grew up with one older sibling. Holly has an older sister, who currently lives in the west suburbs with her husband and daughter. Dan has an older brother, who currently lives in London. We still live fairly close to our parents. Holly’s parents are still living in her childhood house, which is about 15 minutes to the east. Dan’s parents moved a few years ago, and currently live about 15 minutes to the west. Everyone is waiting for a little one to join the family.
We currently live in a house in the south suburbs with a big backyard. We appreciate the diversity in our neighborhood. Our neighbors are a good mix of ages and ethnicities. Everyone is extremely easy-going and you will always find children playing outside or at the local park.
In closing:
We both are looking forward to the opportunity to speak with you, and hope that you would like to reach out so we can get to know each other better. You can contact us directly by emailing us at Hollydanielacfb@gmail.com. You can also reach out to our adoption counselor Linda by texting or calling her at (773)919-5702 or by email at Linda@centerforfamily.com.
Sincerely,
Holly and Dan
In closing:
We both are looking forward to the opportunity to speak with you, and hope that you would like to reach out so we can get to know each other better. You can contact us directly by emailing us at Hollydanielacfb@gmail.com. You can also reach out to our adoption counselor Linda by texting or calling her at (773)919-5702 or by email at Linda@centerforfamily.com.
Sincerely,
Holly and Dan
