Dear Expectant Parent,
Thank you for taking the time to learn a little about us. We can only imagine how difficult
this decision must be, and we deeply admire your courage and selflessness in
considering adoption. We are so grateful for the opportunity to share a little about our
lives and to express our hope to provide a loving, supportive, and joyful home for a
child.
Our Story
Our journey together began in the fall of 2006 when we were in college – Jacob at Purdue University and Sara at Butler University. We were introduced by mutual friends at a Halloween party, where everyone wore togas.
Our first date was just a few weeks later, and by the end of November, we were officially dating. Jacob’s humor and outgoing nature complement Sara’s more introverted personality perfectly. He makes her laugh even on her hardest days, and she helps him stay grounded when life feels overwhelming.
We connected quickly and by the following spring we’re engaged. One of the moments that made Jacob certain he wanted to spend his life with Sara was a Valentine’s Day visit during a major snowstorm where she had driven up from Indianapolis. Travel was impossible and we were snowed in together for five days. Despite his usual need for personal space, he never once wanted her to leave. That weekend showed us both that we could truly build a life together. One of the hurdles we dealt with was that we never lived closer than an hour and half away from one another. While this distance proved to be a challenge it forced us to have better communication skills, which we still practice today.
We married in June 2009 at Turkey Run State Park in Marshall, Indiana, a place that has been special to Sara since childhood. The day was beautiful despite a rainy morning, and it remains one of our most cherished memories. After we got married, we lived in LaPorte, Indiana for twelve years before moving to southern Indiana closer to family. Over nearly 20 years together, we have built a life full of love, laughter, and shared values. We share many hobbies, including traveling, spending time together exploring new towns on “adventure dates,” collecting and listening to vinyl records, watching shows, and spending time with our family. Family is extremely important to us, and we treasure weekly dinners and regular gatherings with our parents, siblings, nieces and nephews.
After exploring all medical options to have a biological child, we realized that starting a family on our own wasn’t possible. Adoption has always been a path we considered with care and has a special place in our hearts, since Sara’s older brother was adopted as well as several friends. Now we are excited to pursue it wholeheartedly.
Meet Sara
Sara is warm, caring, and thoughtful. She builds strong and lasting relationships with those around her and is deeply devoted to family and friends. As a high school math teacher for the past seventeen years, she demonstrates patience, creativity, and encouragement every day.
In her free time, she enjoys quilting, knitting, playing the piano, planning family events, and spending time with nieces and nephews. She also loves reading and her absolute favorite book series is Harry Potter. She is involved with the quilting club for church where she helps make a quilt every year that they raffle away for charity. She has knitted a blanket for all her friends’ kids, too! Her nurturing personality and genuine love for children make her an excellent role model and caregiver.
Meet Jacob
Jacob is outgoing, patient, and protective, with a playful and curious nature. Jacob has been a teacher for over eighteen years, first in middle school and now in high school, teaching technology and computer skills.
Jacob loves games of all kinds—board, video, and tabletop—and enjoys painting miniatures for Warhammer 40k. He also loves being outdoors, going on walks, playing disc golf, and exploring nature walks with Sara. He values family time and enjoys sharing his hobbies and experiences with others.
Foster Care Journey
For the past two years, we have had the privilege of being licensed foster parents.
Opening our home to children in need has been one of the most meaningful
experiences of our lives. Each child who has entered our lives has left a lasting impact
on our hearts, and we are grateful for the opportunity to provide them with safety, love,
and stability during their time with us. Being foster parents has taught us patience,
flexibility, and the importance of nurturing each child’s unique personality. It has
reinforced our desire to adopt and grow our family, knowing we are ready to provide a
safe and loving home for a child.
Family and Values
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Family is at the heart of our lives. We grew up surrounded by loving parents, siblings, and extended relatives, and we aim to provide the same support, stability, and joy to a child. Our extended family lives right next door and the surrounding area. We spend time together frequently, whether for holiday dinners, family vacations, or casual gatherings.
We value kindness, respect, compassion, honesty, and faith, and we strive to live by these principles in everything we do. Our families are excited to welcome a new child, offering love, guidance, and a lifetime of shared experiences.
Another big part of our family is our small Westie terrier, Indiana. He is gentle, affectionate, and wonderful with children. He loves children and is ready to play immediately whenever he sees our nieces, nephews or foster child.
We live in a small town in southern Indiana. Indianapolis, Bloomington, and Louisville are all close enough to make a day trip. These larger cities giving us ample opportunity to enjoy various culture activities and events. Our small town is very close knit and you get to know your neighbors. Our closest neighbors are Jacob’s parents and brother’s family. His other brother and Sara’s parents also live nearby.
Our Promise
We promise to provide a loving, nurturing, and safe home for your child. We will support their growth, curiosity, and individuality while instilling strong values and a sense of family and community. We will celebrate their milestones, comfort them in challenges, and always encourage them to explore and enjoy life. We are committed to raising a child with patience, love, and respect, and we promise to honor and acknowledge the extraordinary gift you are giving through adoption.
Thank you again for considering us as potential adoptive parents. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to share our lives with you and hope to offer a home filled with love, laughter, and stability for your child.
If you would like to connect with us, you can email us at [email protected]. You can also reach out to the ACFB team by calling (847) 674-3231.
