In our free time, we love staying active and making the most of the outdoors. Whether it's walking around town with our dogs and family, biking the scenic trails at Moraine State Park, or exploring new hiking and camping spots, we truly enjoy being out in nature together. We're especially excited for the day we can bring our kids to family-friendly campgrounds - places with swimming areas, jumping floats, and fun daily activities designed just for them.

We enjoy playing volleyball, pickleball, biking, as well as softball as a couple. Nicole loves watching and cheering on Matthew when he plays softball and can't wait to do the same with their child one day. We also prioritize a healthy lifestyle: we shop for organic foods when possible, limit processed foods, and enjoy cooking home-made meals (though we never say no to the occasional ice cream treat!).

During the holidays, we love cozying up at home, making gingerbread houses, and watching classic holiday movies together - traditions we look forward to sharing with a child.

Staying active and spending quality time together is important to us - because we want to be energetic, engaged parents who can fully participate in our child's everyday lives. Our leisure time is all about connection, laughter, and making memories, and we can't wait to share that with a child.

Nicole deeply admires Matthew's fun, active personality and the energy he brings into everyday life. At the same time, his selflessness and calm, steady presence are qualities she treasures. His loyalty to family and friends - along with his dedication as a volunteer fire chief and EMT - speaks volumes about his strength of character. His desire to make a positive impact and his willingness to help others in any situation give Nicole a sense of peace and security. Nicole also loves his passion for sports and knows what a fun, involved, and caring dad he will be. She can already picture him out in the yard playing catch or coaching their child's sports team one day.

Matthew loves Nicole's caring, patient nature. She has a deep love for her family, friends, and pets, creating a nurturing environment wherever she goes. He also admires how in touch she is with her emotions and how she's always thinking of others, making those around her feel truly seen and valued. He's also drawn to her infectious positive energy - no matter the challenges, Nicole has a way of lifting people's spirits with her warmth and optimism. Matthew deeply appreciates her focus on spending quality time with loved ones and how becoming a mother has always been one of her biggest dreams. He knows she'll be a nurturing, loving, playful and encouraging mom - always there for her child, no matter what.

We deeply value the importance of cultural diversity and are committed to creating an environment that celebrates and respects our child's heritage. We understand the significance of representation, and we're dedicated to finding doctors, caregivers, and a support network that reflect our child's racial and cultural background. Whether it's ensuring access to healthcare providers who understand and respect their cultural background or connecting with mom and friend groups that share similar experiences, we will prioritize building a diverse and inclusive community for our child.

Nicole's long-time best friend, Dakota, who is Hispanic and African American, has been a constant presence in our lives. Dakota is an incredibly strong and resilient person, and her journey - shaped by the love and guidance of her adoptive mom - has taught us the importance of nurturing cultural pride. Her adoptive mom, who was a role model to Nicole, has instilled in Dakota a deep sense of self-worth and pride in her heritage. We admire Dakota's strength and the way she embraces her identity, and we are grateful to have such a positive influence in our lives. We will look to Dakota as an example in raising a child who feels confident in their own identity.

We are committed to providing a safe and loving home where our child can grow into their true, authentic self, fully aware of their worth and proud of who they are. We will always support and honor their connection to their heritage.

We live in the peaceful small town of Evans City, in a lovely ranch-style home with a quiet porch and large fenced-in-yard -perfect for outdoor play. One of the best parts of living here is how walkable it is. A local park and pool are just a short walk away, along with small shops like an ice cream shop, candy store, coffee shop, and grocery store.

Our neighborhood is full of families, and we love seeing kids ride bikes and play together. We're also just minutes from a brand-new elementary school we're excited to share with our future child.

Matthew is deeply involved in the community as the local volunteer fire chief, and Nicole helps out with fundraisers in support of the Fire Department. Every fall, our town hosts Pumpkinfest, where the street in front of our house is lined with vendors and kids games. We enjoy volunteering and love being part of such a close-knit, supportive town.

Another favorite tradition is Light Up Night, when Santa is escorted into town by the fire department. We also love the annual Halloween parade and can't wait to take our kids for a ride in the fire truck so they can wave to people in the parades one day!

Evans City is a safe, friendly place where we know many of our neighbors and feel truly at home. We can't wait to raise a child here and share the community spirit, and lasting traditions that make this town so special.

Family means everything to us - it's our foundation, greatest joy, and strongest support system. From holiday traditions to quick calls just to say "hi", we're deeply connected to the people we love most. We're lucky to have an abundance of family living nearby and actively involved in our lives. They're all excited to welcome a child and be part of their everyday life.

Nicole is very close to her two older brothers - who are twins - and their wives, who have become more like sisters over the years. Her brother and sister-in-law, who are honored to be the child's godparents, live just eight minutes away. Matthew has two very supportive older sisters, one of whom was adopted and has, in turn, adopted her own daughter, Lexi. Lexi is a joyful part of our lives and a beautiful example of love through adoption.

Our parents live just minutes from us - Nicole's mom and dad are five minutes away, and Matthew's dad is only two minutes down the road. We feel so grateful knowing they're just down the road if we ever need them for support.

One of our favorite family traditions is our yearly Christmas tree outing. Each Christmas season, we head out together to pick and cut down the perfect tree - a day filled with laughter, hot cocoa, carols, and time with the people we love most.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for taking the time to read our story and learn a little about who we are. We can't begin to imagine the weight of the decisions you're facing, but please know that we admire your strength, your courage, and the deep love you clearly have for this child.

If we are lucky enough to be chosen by you, we promise to raise this child with endless love, patience, and respect. We'll support them through every stage of life, celebrate who they are, and remind them daily how deeply they are loved - by us and by you. We truly believe everything happens for a reason, and we know in our hearts that the child meant to join our family is out there.

We're Matthew and Nicole - best friends, soulmates, and each other's biggest supporters. We've built a life rooted in love, laughter, and a deep devotion to our family and friends. One of the things that brought us together from the beginning was our shared dream of becoming parents. We talk often about what it will be like to raise a child together, and we can't wait to see each other step into that role.

We love doing life side by side - whether we're hiking, biking, camping, or goofing around at home. We can already picture ourselves running around the yard, going on adventures, and taking family trips to places that have brought us so much joy. One of those places is Corolla, North Carolina. It's where we got engaged and where we returned in 2021 to say our vows on the beach. We've been married for four wonderful years and can't wait for all the adventures ahead with a little one by our side.

We both work hard to create a life full of love, security, and opportunity. Matthew works as a shipping and receiving manager for over 15 years and is also the Fire Chief for our town's volunteer fire department, as well as a part-time EMT. His job is within walking distance from home, giving him the flexibility to be present and involved. Nicole works as a project specialist at an engineering firm just 20 minutes away, and plans to switch to part-time to spend more time at home once we become parents.

Family means the world to us. Nicole's twin older brothers and her parents are excited to help out and are overjoyed to welcome the very first grandchild on their side of the family. Our siblings can't wait to spoil this little one, and our family is counting down the days until we can all welcome a child with open arms and open hearts.

Adoption already plays a beautiful role in our lives. Nicole's best friend, Dakota - Who is Hispanic and African American - was adopted and is a constant reminder of the strength and love adoption brings. Matthew's sister was also adopted, and she has an adopted daughter, Lexi, who has brought even more joy to our extended family. Our child will grow up surrounded by people who truly understand adoption, through lived experience.

Becoming parents has always been a shared dream for us. We started picking out baby names early in our relationship, imagining the family we'd one day grow. We explored every option, including IVF, but ultimately realized our journey to parenthood would look different than we expected. Still, we believe with all our hearts that this path is leading us exactly where we're meant to be.

We're committed to building an open, loving relationship with you - whatever that looks like and feels right for you. We're happy to share photos, updates, stories, and milestones, and we're open to yearly visits if that's something you're comfortable with. Most of all, we want you to know that this child will be surrounded by love, laughter, and support.

With love and gratitude,

Matthew & Nicole