Our number one hobby is traveling! Since being married, we have traveled to 5 countries and 17 states with each other. We enjoy the adventure of finding new places to explore, new foods to try, and snapping a picture for our travel wall. Lucas is a board member to a local organization that provides an opportunity for kids with cancer, and their siblings, to go to summer camp. We love supporting this cause, as it affects many families and we agree that every kid should be just that, a kid. Kristen likes to volunteer across many different organizations with various groups of people. Most recently, she helped at a local food bank packing snack packs for those in need. For the past 11 summers Kristen has volunteered as a camp counselor for a high school leadership camp.

Lucas is a game fiend. He goes to game conventions, plays in person and online. Kristen loves to read, bake, craft and puzzle. She especially likes to learn recipes that her family has been making for years, such as chocolate chip gooey butter cake and holiday custard. Connections are a top priority for us as we enjoy hanging out with family and friends at a major league game, dinners out, new or old activities or just chill nights at our house. Our hope is to share all of these with our child in order to help them become a well-rounded person and value multiple things.

We first met on a dating app. When we started texting, Kristen found out that Lucas was from the same city as her and she became even more interested in him. It was around Christmas, and we were both headed home for the holidays. Lucas was driving home and Kristen was flying. Kristen gave Lucas her number and told him to call her while he was driving. We ended up talking for over 4 hours and then made a plan to meet up.

It was like a scene out of a Hallmark movie, as we walked down the lit up street, stopping at a gazebo and dancing, then running through a field lit up by lights. Lucas invited Kristen to meet his family on Christmas Day, he met her family a couple of days later, then Kristen cancelled her return flight to drive back with him. We have been together ever since.

Kristen loves how Lucas is kind, empathetic, reliable, smart and exactly who she needs in a partner. Kristen admires how Lucas is able to live in every moment. He doesn’t worry about the future, but focuses on where he is and who he is with. Kristen respects how Lucas reflects on everything. When he says he will think about something, he follows through and then has deep conversations with people about a given topic. He isn’t afraid of any topic and thinks through it from every perspective.

Lucas loves Kristen for how deeply she values the people in her life. Kristen traditionally puts others first and ensures everyone is taken care of or their needs are met. Her quirky personality and silliness makes a partnership with her both fun and interesting. She’ll fight for you and is always in your corner. Lucas admires her commitment to her beliefs and finds that life is a bit more organized with her involved. Kristen challenges him often (in a loving way) and has Lucas’ respect for being the accountable partner he needs. She’ll have the hard conversations, and she celebrates the fun ones, both of which are important in a healthy, long-term relationship.

We live within 30 mins from each set of parents, grandparents, most siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. We have a blast as Aunt Kristen and Uncle Lucas and take the little ones on outings such as museums, parks, mini golf, and the science center, but love just hanging out with them whenever we get the chance. Each of our families get along with each other, making combined family gatherings something we value most. They all are excited about us adding a little one and have given their overwhelming support with our adoption journey and cannot wait to love on a child.

Kristen’s family get together throughout the year, but most notably on Christmas Eve, preparing and serving dinner for the families at the Ronald McDonald House. After dinner they sing Christmas carols with the families there. We love serving others, and this is a small part of that passion.

With Lucas’ family we go on a beach or lake vacation each year. We all stay in one house, have themed dinners, and just hang out with each other. The love and laughter fill the house, leaving us all rejuvenated.

We are blessed to have a very large chosen family around us. We love to entertain, hosting game nights, family dinners, celebrations, out of town friends, New Years parties and much more. We are also intentional about going to support our friends, family, and the kids in their events: concerts, recitals, games, etc.

We live in the middle of an active and safe suburb in Missouri. The neighborhood is very family centric as there are a lot of kids and many events to cater to them. This includes Cookies with Santa, Fall Fest, Family 5K, Neighborhood Garage Sale, and a big 4th of July festival and firework show.

Our neighborhood features a well-maintained pool with a kiddie area that we enjoy going to by ourselves or with our friends, family and their kids. There is a pond for fishing and nice sidewalks making it possible for daily walks in which we meet multiple people and friendly dogs.

We have plenty of space to welcome additions to our family, with multiple bedrooms and multiple living areas across three floors. The kitchen is the heart of the home with people gathering around the island while Kristen cooks or bakes. The basement is ready for tons of toys and for Lucas to teach kids how to play video games. We also have a music room that features a guitar, piano and drum set. Kristen’s mom can teach a child to play piano, while Lucas can teach them how to play the drums.

Being on the outskirts of a major city, we have access to numerous parks, museums, theaters, sports complexes and restaurants. Our city has a science center (one of our favorites), a zoo, and multiple major league sports.

First and foremost, you are strong for considering adoption for your child. We want you to know that we respect you, your family, and the decision that you are facing. Life is like a roller coaster: lots of ups and downs, and sometimes we don’t even know which direction we are facing or which way we will go next. While you are on your own roller coaster ride, we are thankful that you have read through our profile and learned a little more about us.

We are Lucas and Kristen.

We met similar to this, on an online profile. We talked on the phone for hours before meeting and our first date felt like we were meeting our best friend. During that date, we talked about kids and how each of us had adoption on our minds and in our hearts. We were married within 6 months because we knew we couldn't spend life without each other. We are now over five years in and are still so much in love and with our best friend. We see adoption as a way to grow our family while being connected to more family members so we would love to develop a life-long relationship with you. We will send pictures, videos, emails, and letters throughout their life so you can witness various milestones and special moments. You will be spoken of with respect and kindness. They will know of all of the love that you have for them and we will reach out if they have specific questions about you and your family. We want you to know each other.

Adoption is a lifelong journey, not just one day at the hospital. Incorporating the adoption story into everyday life as the child grows is a nonnegotiable. Starting with reading books about adoption, then having more direct conversations about their adoption as they get older. We want them to know that they have extra people who love them. Our family and friends have supported us from day one. They all squealed with delight when we told them we were starting the process and it has been a constant stream of “how can we help” ever since. There are lots of young kids, so another child being added to that mix will be welcomed and have “instant friends”.

Traveling, both within and out of the US, is a huge component of our lives. We appreciate being able to see different landscapes, experience the different climates and cultures, and taste all the food. We actually have a wall in our home that has a picture from everywhere we have traveled together since meeting that we love to share with people when they come over. We laugh a lot, dance in our kitchen and every gazebo we pass by, be silly, work hard, and love each other fiercely. We extend that love to our family and friends, which you will be a part of. We genuinely just love being around each other.

Doing life with a child is something that we have dreamed of and are excited to have that opportunity. We can’t wait to help them figure out what they are passionate about by signing them up for various sports, fine arts, and programs. We want them to be happy, healthy, and know that they are loved, supported, and accepted no matter what. We are ready today to open our arms and home to a child. Our bedrooms are ready for bedtime stories. Our basement is ready to be overflowing with toys and games. Our weekends are ready to be filled with family activities, games, and performances. Our kitchen is ready to make meals and listen to laughter. Our hearts are ready to love a child unconditionally and constantly.

We hope something in our profile has resonated with you and you feel like you could trust us to raise a child with unconditional love. While you might still be figuring out your next step, know that everything happens for a reason and that the child meant for us is out there. We want you to be confident in your decision of adoption, if that is the right choice for you.

With love,

Lucas & Kristen